Truyền Kỳ Mạn Lục [傳奇漫錄] (Casual Records of Strange Tales) is the only surviving literary work of the renowned scholar Nguyễn Dữ (16th century). The work features a preface written by Hà Thiện Hán, annotations by Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (the author’s teacher), and a translation into Nôm characters by Nguyễn Thế Nghi. It has been praised by Doctor Vũ Khâm Lân (1702–?) as a “masterpiece for the ages.” It was translated into French by UNESCO in 1962.
The work consists of 20 stories written in Sino script, following the truyền kỳ (transmitted marvels) genre, blending prose with poetic elements. Each story concludes with a commentary by the author or someone who shares his perspective. Most of the stories take place between the Lý and Early Lê dynasties, spanning from Nghệ An to northern Vietnam, and delve into themes of the supernatural, including demons, underworld spirits, celestial beings, and divine realms.
The Casual Records of Transmitted Strange Tales paintings draw inspiration from this literary masterpiece, dividing the 20 tales into visual scenes that are interwoven to create unique compositions.
