Legends of Vietnam: An Analysis and Retelling of 88 Tales

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The field of legends has long been neglected by serious intellectual minds who have considered it to belong to the realm of children’s literature. Legends, however, are a mirror of the culture that creates them, a revealing lens through which to observe society, religion, history, and traditions. This volume explores Vietnamese legends from 1321 to today–tales of gods, spirits, ghosts, giants, extraordinary individuals, heroes, common people, and animals; legends that have delighted both young and old for centuries. It explains the mores, thought processes, and religions that formed the genesis of Vietnamese legends, traces the development of legends through time and space, and highlights the historical and social differences between northern and southern legends. Over time, this work shows, Vietnamese legends have evolved from a 14th century means of government propaganda to become a form of news, entertainment, and thought for the masses.