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Southern Swallow #3
Swan Cloud
“We were like Swan Clouds, or so my master Li K’ai-men said, because for ten years we drifted from place to place — city to city — one temporary capital after another.” Ten years has passed since The Nan Tu, Book II of the Southern Swallow series. The Sung court and government has settled at the great city of Lin-an and peace is sought with the invading Jurchen. The stage is set for one of the most infamous incidents in Chinese history, known as The Yueh Fei Affair — an intrigue, which casts our adventurers into the perils of the times.
Book III of the Southern Swallow series – Swan Cloud, like its predecessors (The Academician and The Nan Tu) is told by K’u Ko-ling, servant to the Grand Tutor, Li K’ai-men, who must forgo his obligated mourning period and set out on a diplomatic mission for the Emperor Kao — a mission fraught with political intrigue and treachery. Set on the broad canvas of Sung Dynasty China (12th Century), Swan Cloud is a tale of separation and sacrifice — injustice and intrigue. It represents a turning point in this saga for our hero and his band of spiritual warriors.
The Southern Swallow Series:
The Academician
The Nan Yu
Swan Cloud
The House of Green Waters
Vagrants Hallow
Related series – The Jade Owl:
The Jade Owl
The Third Peregrination
The Dragon’s Pool
The People’s Treasure
In the Shadow of Her Hem
Book III of the Southern Swallow series – Swan Cloud, like its predecessors (The Academician and The Nan Tu) is told by K’u Ko-ling, servant to the Grand Tutor, Li K’ai-men, who must forgo his obligated mourning period and set out on a diplomatic mission for the Emperor Kao — a mission fraught with political intrigue and treachery. Set on the broad canvas of Sung Dynasty China (12th Century), Swan Cloud is a tale of separation and sacrifice — injustice and intrigue. It represents a turning point in this saga for our hero and his band of spiritual warriors.
The Southern Swallow Series:
The Academician
The Nan Yu
Swan Cloud
The House of Green Waters
Vagrants Hallow
Related series – The Jade Owl:
The Jade Owl
The Third Peregrination
The Dragon’s Pool
The People’s Treasure
In the Shadow of Her Hem
ebook
First published October 31, 2011
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21 people want to read
About the author
Edward C. Patterson
60 books35 followersEdward C. Patterson has been writing novels, short fiction, poetry and drama his entire life, always seeking the emotional core of any story he tells. With his eighth novel, The Jade Owl, he combines an imaginative touch with his life long devotion to China and its history. He has earned an MA in Chinese History from Brooklyn College with further post graduate work at Columbia University. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he has spent four decades as a soldier in the corporate world gaining insight into the human condition. He won the 1999 New Jersey Minority Achievement Award for his work in corporate diversity. Blending world travel experiences with a passion for story telling, his adventures continue as he works to permeate his reader's souls from an indelible wellspring.
Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag and Turning Idolater. Poetry includes The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka - and - Diary of Medicine Flower.
From my mind to your imagination . . .
Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag and Turning Idolater. Poetry includes The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka - and - Diary of Medicine Flower.
From my mind to your imagination . . .
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 7, 2018
3rd in a series, and each book so far 400-500 pp; I like the leisurely presentation of this juncture of Chinese history: the retreat to the south of the Song Dynasty after the Jurchen invasion -- the loss of the north. The tone of these books ranges from vulgar (very often) to tragic, an expansiveness of mood that goes with their genre-busting, for a sense of inventiveness and unpredictability. I think this was the best yet, for its sustained tragic note around the fate of Yueh Fei, war hero and revanchist -- loyalist to a fault -- as he becomes inconvenient to the peace party and is sacrificed. His story is a famous one, well told here as a part of the larger story of the shrinkage of the Song, its effects, its compromises and ambivalent defeats.
To my mind, this independently-published series has more complexity than, say, the big-name River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay on the same period -- if also more idiosyncrasy, which you may or may not take to.
To my mind, this independently-published series has more complexity than, say, the big-name River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay on the same period -- if also more idiosyncrasy, which you may or may not take to.
July 28, 2012
A Brilliant Work that will linger in your Heart and Soul
This delightful read is book III of Edward Patterson’s Southern Swallow series. Swan Cloud, like its predecessors (The Academician and The Nan Tu) is told by K'u Ko-ling, the amusing servant to the Grand Tutor, Li K'ai-men, who must forgo his obligated mourning period when his father dies, and sets out on a diplomatic mission for the Emperor Kao - a mission fraught with political intrigue and treachery.
The mission is a plan to reel in the warring generals and forage a peace with the enemies to the north. But while the Grand Tutor labors to help bring about a durable reconciliation, politicians closest to the Emperor are more focused on their own benefit. In an effort to fight for justice, Li K’ai-men finds himself battling the Emperor’s advisors, who now seem hell bent on destroying him.
Set on the broad canvas of Sung Dynasty China (12th Century), Swan Cloud is a tale of separation and sacrifice - injustice and intrigue. It represents a turning point in this saga for the hero and his band of spiritual warriors.
I have adored all three books of the Southern Swallow series, for a number of reasons. I particularly enjoyed the characterizations in this character driven novel. Patterson has created a number of interesting and likeable characters. They are flawed, and struggle to overcome those defects. Even the "bad-guys" developed into memorable foes.
Second, the author skillfully weaves an intriguing plot that holds the reader to the page, needing to find out what happens next. There came a point deep in the novel where I literally couldn’t put it down until I finished the last page.
The author has created a delightful voice. The tale is told both in third person, and also K'u Ko-ling’s first person narratives. Both voices are distinct and captivating. It is a pleasure reading such well-crafted prose.
Edward C. Patterson is scholar in East Asian culture. So not only is the storyline based on true historical events, but the descriptions of the cultural settings and rituals ring true. Patterson has done his homework, and it shows from first page to last.
My one issue with the entire series so far is that Li K’ai-men, the Emperor’s Grand Tutor, and his band of devoted followers wields tremendous magical powers, but for some reason seldom use these powers to turn events to his or the Emperor’s favor. I kept wondering, why the author gave them these colossal powers if they failed to use them.
For anyone interested in reading Swan Cloud, I would highly recommend reading book I & II first (The Academician and The Nan Tu). There is simply too much plot and relationship building that occurs in these earlier novels that is needed to fully understand the situations presented in Swan Cloud.
Readers who love historical fiction will no doubt treasure this series. But these books can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates fully developed characters and finely crafted stories. This book, this series, is a gem that can be appreciated by everyone.
This delightful read is book III of Edward Patterson’s Southern Swallow series. Swan Cloud, like its predecessors (The Academician and The Nan Tu) is told by K'u Ko-ling, the amusing servant to the Grand Tutor, Li K'ai-men, who must forgo his obligated mourning period when his father dies, and sets out on a diplomatic mission for the Emperor Kao - a mission fraught with political intrigue and treachery.
The mission is a plan to reel in the warring generals and forage a peace with the enemies to the north. But while the Grand Tutor labors to help bring about a durable reconciliation, politicians closest to the Emperor are more focused on their own benefit. In an effort to fight for justice, Li K’ai-men finds himself battling the Emperor’s advisors, who now seem hell bent on destroying him.
Set on the broad canvas of Sung Dynasty China (12th Century), Swan Cloud is a tale of separation and sacrifice - injustice and intrigue. It represents a turning point in this saga for the hero and his band of spiritual warriors.
I have adored all three books of the Southern Swallow series, for a number of reasons. I particularly enjoyed the characterizations in this character driven novel. Patterson has created a number of interesting and likeable characters. They are flawed, and struggle to overcome those defects. Even the "bad-guys" developed into memorable foes.
Second, the author skillfully weaves an intriguing plot that holds the reader to the page, needing to find out what happens next. There came a point deep in the novel where I literally couldn’t put it down until I finished the last page.
The author has created a delightful voice. The tale is told both in third person, and also K'u Ko-ling’s first person narratives. Both voices are distinct and captivating. It is a pleasure reading such well-crafted prose.
Edward C. Patterson is scholar in East Asian culture. So not only is the storyline based on true historical events, but the descriptions of the cultural settings and rituals ring true. Patterson has done his homework, and it shows from first page to last.
My one issue with the entire series so far is that Li K’ai-men, the Emperor’s Grand Tutor, and his band of devoted followers wields tremendous magical powers, but for some reason seldom use these powers to turn events to his or the Emperor’s favor. I kept wondering, why the author gave them these colossal powers if they failed to use them.
For anyone interested in reading Swan Cloud, I would highly recommend reading book I & II first (The Academician and The Nan Tu). There is simply too much plot and relationship building that occurs in these earlier novels that is needed to fully understand the situations presented in Swan Cloud.
Readers who love historical fiction will no doubt treasure this series. But these books can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates fully developed characters and finely crafted stories. This book, this series, is a gem that can be appreciated by everyone.
June 14, 2018
Eddie, you really need some help with these ebook covers. They are gawd-awful. Spend a little money and hire a professional.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews