"Zhao Lu's pluralistic understanding of Confucius not only reveals the complexity of Chinese cultural history, but also the popularity of Confucius in various sectors of Chinese society." -- Tze-ki Hon, Beijing Normal University, China "Iconoclasm abounds in this survey of representations of Confucius that depart from his familiar role as wise old philosopher. Was he a failed counselor? Or ghostbuster? Or a master of arcana? By showing us the range of non-standard representations of Confucius, Zhao Lu makes us question the standard ones, and how they became standard in the first place." -- Paul R. Goldin, Professor of Chinese Thought, University of Pennsylvania, USA " Weird Confucius offers a comprehensive examination . stand[ing] as a seminal contribution to the field of ancient religious studies in China. This work significantly enriches the academic discourse . deepens our understanding .

[and] also provides critical insights into the broader dynamics of religious iconography and cultural memory. This scholarly work is indispensable . a vital resource in the study of Chinese religious history." -- Religion Book Reviews "Zhao's research adds a fresh perspective to contemporary Confucian Studies." -- Religious Studies Review.