This is my first of the classic novels in the Chinese canon. I was afraid at the beginning that I wouldn't understand the Buddhist and Taoist references, especially with that opening chapter! And even though most of the time I didn't, the novel was really fun to read. The internal conflicts in the pantheon of gods and halfgods reminded me a lot of ancient Greek fiction, but even by that comparison the Chinese transcendental creatures really made a hotchpotch out of it, with a mixture of Buddhist and Taoist gods living and partying together in heaven, water and earth spirits messing things up on earth, and misbehaved gods muddling through life on earth punished with reincarnation as supernatural dragons, pigs, tigers and other monsters. But don't worry: if things get really tough, there is always Guanyin or Buddha himself to sort things out.

On a side note, the text also made me understand better all the supernatural flying and magic in wuxia dramas. If you think, like I did, that those movies are way over the top, you should read this novel to numbify those feelings. It seems like the whole pilgimage is only a pious facade to justify the endless steam of epic fights and powerful mind skills.

I must say that by the end of the first volume the journey became a bit repetitive, with the pilgrims proceeding on their journey fighting one demon living in a mountain cave/hut after the other. I am not a great fan of adventure novels, so that may play a role. Luckily there was enough to enjoy with the varying perspectives at the start of the novel, from the unruly monkey to the buddhisatva to the lifestory of Xuanzhang and finally the start of his journey to the west. I really hope volume 2 and 3 will offer some variety too and won't be just a continuous stream of demons to fight and mountains to climb.

I haven't seen the original Mandarin text, but the English translation reads really well and feels fresh and lively. Despite or because of the translation, my favourite parts of the novel are the short and beautiful poems, especially the ones regarding nature and animals. In one of the more cunning moves of the monkey Pilgrim he changes into a mosquito, after which the author treats us to this beautiful testimonial poem:

A pesky small shape with sharp sting
His tiny voice can hum like thunder!
Adept at piercing gauze nets and orchid rooms,
He likes the warm, sultry climate.

He fears incense and swatting fans,
But dearly loves bright lights and lamps.
Airy, agile, all too clever and fast,
He flies into the fiend's cave.

The academic introduction was also really good in explaining the context and content of the work. The internal alchemy part, however, still makes my stomach turn (pun but true). I'm glad I had decided to leave the introduction for the end!