Under Heaven
In Under Heaven, Kay tells a story of honor and power, this time in a setting that evokes the dazzling Tang Dynasty of eighth-century China. In recognition of his service to the Emperor of Kitai, Shen Tai has been sent a mysterious and dangerous gift: 250 Sardian horses. Wisely the gift comes with the stipulation that the horses must be claimed in person. Otherwise, he would probably be dead already.
Stats for nerds
2recommend
2mentions
2people
2013–2014years
100% recommend
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Try Guy Gavriel Kay. He is generally considered a fantasy writer, but I'd say "alternative-historical magical realism" is a more accurate description. I see a lot of more recent Rushdie in his style. Start with Under Heaven (Tigana is the more common first recommendation, but I don't actually like it as much).
- A pertinent pair of novels (by a Westerner) are "Under Heaven" and "River of Stars" by Guy Gavriel Kay. While set in the author's usual "slightly alternate" history, they are effectively set in the Tang and Song dynasties respectively. I have no idea how the Chinese regard these novels, but the linked essay could have been written, in part, on these novels instead of actual history. The second book's central theme is the peril presented by an isolated ruling class, institutionalized military incompetence, and the lack of trust in military leaders. They're good reads if fiction is more your speed.
