I just began the book Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. The beginning of it is just perfect for the way I like to read before going to sleep, not because its boring -- its fascinating -- the setting is historically based, but also quite fantastic, in the sense that a Bergman movie feels fantastic, a kind of high magical realism. Its 8th century, Tang Dynasty China. The protagonist is far to the west of the great city of Xinan, Kitai, living in a small cabin nestled into mountains on the north, beside a lake and a great field where a mighty battle was fought between Kitai and the further west Empire of Tagur. For the past two years he has been burying the remains of both sides of the battle during a period of mourning for his father who was a General that survived the battle only to die later, his effort and the lives of thousands of warriors negated by a marriage of diplomacy. The setting of the lake and the battlefield, and Shen Tais holy hermit-like, cold and minimal, yet beautiful and meditative time there is so compelling, I read sections of it over and over. There are meta-textual musings about literature and stories in the story, too, framing it with space for reflection. Then the story gets really exciting, especially for people who like horses and intrigue. Its nice and thick and I am anticipating a great read. An unheard-of gift of 250 luxurious, rare horses, an assassination attempt, secrets, journeys, duties and a web of political or higher motivations -- I just know I will love it!
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 16:03:40 +0000
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