The Wallet of Kai Lung

'The Wallet of Kai Lung' is a sophisticated collection of interconnected tales featuring the itinerant storyteller Kai Lung. Set within a stylized and satirical reimagining of ancient China, the narrative follows the clever protagonist as he navigates various trials and tribulations, often facing corrupt officials and dangerous adversaries. Kai Lung’s most potent defense is his mastery of the oral tradition; he employs elaborate, aphorism-heavy stories to charm his captors, delay his execution, and outmaneuver those who wish him harm.Ernest Bramah’s work is renowned for its distinctive and highly ornamental prose style, which parodies the formal idioms and polite conventions of classical Chinese literature. This linguistic playfulness serves as the foundation for a series of nested narratives that explore themes of justice, fate, and the triumph of intellect over physical might. By blending elements of fantasy, philosophy, and dry humor, 'The Wallet of Kai Lung' stands as a landmark of early 20th-century imaginative fiction, celebrated for its unique narrative structure and enduring wit.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.