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Kronika dziwnych bestii (Polish title for Yan Ge’s novel) translates to “Chronicles of Strange Beasts” or “Strange Beasts of China,” is a novel set in the fictional Chinese city of Yong’an, where mysterious creatures — sometimes almost indistinguishable from humans — live quietly alongside ordinary people.
The story is told through the eyes of an unnamed narrator, a former zoology student who became a writer specializing in the strange beasts’ stories. Commissioned to document these creatures, she travels through Yong’an, meeting one fascinating species after another. Each chapter focuses on a different type of beast, blending elements of urban fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism with deeper themes about identity and what it means to be human.
As she compiles her chronicles, the narrator also uncovers surprising truths about her own origins and her connection to the beasts. The narrative mixes detective-like exploration with metaphorical reflection on human nature, society, love, and morality.
Overall, the fiction is a thoughtful, imaginative work of fiction that uses fantastical encounters to explore complex emotional and existential questions.