Strange oriental narrative (8)
I believe the answer is:
relation
'narrative' is the definition.
(relation is a kind of narrative)
'strange oriental' is the wordplay.
'strange' is an anagram indicator.
'oriental' with letters rearranged gives 'RELATION'.
(Other definitions for relation that I've seen before include "Connection; narrative" , "Account" , "Kinsman; narrative" , "Story-telling - member of the family" , "Respect" .)