Living in the rapidly industrializing Manchuria is tough for immortal spirits with photography and other tools making it tough for those living among Living in the rapidly industrializing Manchuria is tough for immortal spirits with photography and other tools making it tough for those living among humans. A noir detective novel marries an urban fantasy and this is their love child. A bit long winded, but still decent read....more
In addition to a standard table of contents, it has a thematic contents index, one that's one of the most useful I've that I've seen. At the end of eaIn addition to a standard table of contents, it has a thematic contents index, one that's one of the most useful I've that I've seen. At the end of each chapter there is a note, primary source with suggested readings in English and Chinese. It's a well organized and formatted book.
The actual poems have a remarkably broad range, ranging from war, a bad marriage, a traitor along with the cultural background for each. There's a fair amount of interesting history and cultural details and the chapters can be read in any order. An excellent book, I'm tempted to buy a copy....more
I may be missing some serious context, the stories read a bit to much like early fairy tales, a bit flat with wooden characters. This may be my fault I may be missing some serious context, the stories read a bit to much like early fairy tales, a bit flat with wooden characters. This may be my fault for not reading the first two novels. This is not a good starting point for this series. I skipped through it....more
This book has some nice photos and graphics, possibly a few quibbles I could raise, but nothing important. It's a good layperson's to the subject, theThis book has some nice photos and graphics, possibly a few quibbles I could raise, but nothing important. It's a good layperson's to the subject, the only serious issue is age, the original based on Needham's work is almost 40 years old, though this edition was published in 2007. Still a decent read given that, and while China didn't invent everything, they sure tried to....more
Growing up as an ABC in America outside of major cities, it's not unusual to have schools with few Asian students. This does make one an outsider, andGrowing up as an ABC in America outside of major cities, it's not unusual to have schools with few Asian students. This does make one an outsider, and isn't easy to overcome this. Jin Wang tries to reinvent himself as Danny but his cousin Chinkee (racist slur) shows up once a year to wreck his American life. Throw in the Monkey King and you have a decent story with some strange twists....more
The life of 24 people who lived during the Western Han, some of it told in first person. I liked this approach, it gave me a good feeling for the ordiThe life of 24 people who lived during the Western Han, some of it told in first person. I liked this approach, it gave me a good feeling for the ordinary person's life. If I were to run a Chinese RPG, I'd recommend for background reading. An excellent read....more
A collection of SF and fantasy shorts from China along a few interesting essays written by women and nonbinary authors. One essay points at the introdA collection of SF and fantasy shorts from China along a few interesting essays written by women and nonbinary authors. One essay points at the introduction of the internet in China to the huge increase of women writers nowadays and another highlights the problems with translations in general. A good read....more
A lovely collection of five important artists, one of which, Huang Binhong is my teacher's teacher. The illustrations are the best part of the book, tA lovely collection of five important artists, one of which, Huang Binhong is my teacher's teacher. The illustrations are the best part of the book, the text is pretty good, but its not as comprehensive as it could be. If your interested in this period of Chinese painting, a great book. A library book sale steal!...more
A lovely large format book filled with the author's art, a mixture ranging from western water color to Chinese watercolor and everything in between. TA lovely large format book filled with the author's art, a mixture ranging from western water color to Chinese watercolor and everything in between. There are some copies of classic Chinese paintings which shows mastery of the craft. The big downside is there is virtually no instructional material in this book. I recommend reading his painting guides....more
An interesting fusion recipe book, a nice mixture of flavors. There are a few simple recipes, the rest require a bit more skill and effort. If you likAn interesting fusion recipe book, a nice mixture of flavors. There are a few simple recipes, the rest require a bit more skill and effort. If you like baking and are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, this might be the book for you....more
It's a very large book, which makes seeing the fine details in the paintings easier. There's some introductory text and explanations for each paintingIt's a very large book, which makes seeing the fine details in the paintings easier. There's some introductory text and explanations for each painting, but the paintings are the important part....more
Published in the 80s, the print quality is good but the pictures are a bit off and there aren't that many illustrations. The text is decent but there Published in the 80s, the print quality is good but the pictures are a bit off and there aren't that many illustrations. The text is decent but there are better books on this subject....more
There's something I'm missing in this, I think that there's some humor or satire that I'm not getting. A writer tells us or lives with fantastic beastThere's something I'm missing in this, I think that there's some humor or satire that I'm not getting. A writer tells us or lives with fantastic beasts that are messed up and doomed to die. It was mercifully short....more
A good idea, how to find basic pantry items in an Asian market if you aren't familiar with Chinese cuisine, and then use it in various recipes. Some gA good idea, how to find basic pantry items in an Asian market if you aren't familiar with Chinese cuisine, and then use it in various recipes. Some good recipes, but not much on techniques, I'd recommend a basic cookbook before buying this one. I have been shopping in Asian markets for decades, so I'm not the target audience. For those that haven't, it may prove useful....more
I find the blurb on the front cover amusing, "LESBIAN SPACE PIRATES" in very small letters. Fifty years ago you'd have to go to an adult book store asI find the blurb on the front cover amusing, "LESBIAN SPACE PIRATES" in very small letters. Fifty years ago you'd have to go to an adult book store as opposed to going to the local library for a book with that phrase on the cover. I wonder about the tiny print though, is it so that the book can be read in Texas and Florida?
For those who like steamy, physical sex scenes, this isn't the book for you, the romantic couple are fairly chaste, a few kisses and hot snuggling are about it.
The pirates part reminds me strongly of Zheng Yi Sao a real life pirate queen, so this sort of thing historically happened. A decent read, looking forward to the sequel....more
Well that was about as subtle as a flamethrower at a chili cookoff. You can use it as a checklist for the evils of traditional Chinese culture.
(view sWell that was about as subtle as a flamethrower at a chili cookoff. You can use it as a checklist for the evils of traditional Chinese culture.
(view spoiler)[ * A feminist look at the patriarchal horrors of historic (mostly Qing) China. * The extensive corruption of government bureaucrats. * Disdain for soldiers.
A bit rough in spots but an excellent first novel. If you like over the top YA novels, this book will fill that need, probably won't hold up under close examination....more
A decent book on the subject for the given time period. It does have some information on clothing for the lower classes, unlike some I've read. I haveA decent book on the subject for the given time period. It does have some information on clothing for the lower classes, unlike some I've read. I haven't found many books on the subject in English, open to suggestions....more
Concentrates heavily on the outer garments of the upper class in the various historical periods. It does give some size information in the back in theConcentrates heavily on the outer garments of the upper class in the various historical periods. It does give some size information in the back in the appendix. An interesting work, useful as a reference, but of not much use for recreating an entire outfit. The front cover is representative of most of the illustrations....more
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