Quelling the Demons' Revolt: A Novel from Ming China

In this Ming-era novel, historical narrative, raucous humor, and the supernatural are interwoven to tell the tale of an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Song dynasty. Though Quelling the Demons' Revolt centers on the events of the rebellion led by Wang Ze in 1047–48, facts are distorted and intermingled with slapstick humor and wild fictions. The author points to human vanities and fixations as well as social injustice, warning of the vulnerability of any pursuit of order in a world plagued by demonic forces as well as mundane corruption. This translation offers English-speaking readers a spirited example of social critique and caustic humor.

In this Ming-era novel, historical narrative, raucous humor, and the supernatural are interwoven to tell the tale of an attempt to overthrow the Song dynasty. Quelling the Demons’ Revolt is centered on the rebellion led by Wang Ze in 1047–48, warning of the vulnerability of a world plagued by demonic forces as well as mundane corruption.