Together with the noted Tang dynasty tales, some of which are not yet available in the world of English, Song dynasty tales have long been highly valued and widely read in the Chinese world. As the first English translation of a selected collection of 12 Song dynasty tales, this book opens a window into the world of literature, culture, and colorful lives of the royal house and commoners in the 10th- to 13th-century China. Besides the translation and the meticulous annotations, it offers a general introduction as well as commentaries on each tale.

Hidden and Visible Realms is one of the most significant medieval Chinese collections of stories of the fantastic and otherworldly phenomena, distinguished by its varied contents, elegant writing style, and Buddhist influence. This annotated first complete English translation explains the key themes and textual history of the work.