Yu the Great: Conquering the Flood [A Chinese Legend]

Graphic Myths and Legends

by Paul D. Storrie, Sandy Carruthers (Illustrator)

This graphic novel tells the legend of Yu the Great, a Chinese hero from the twenty-first century B.C. Some scholars believe Yu actually existed and that he founded the Xia Dynasty, the first Chinese empire described in historical records. Some later Chinese texts describe Yu as a kind and strong emperor whose engineering projects saved China from frequent floods. But in Chinese legend, as in this book, Yu is descended from the gods and born from a golden dragon. He saves China from floods by using magical soil to plug underwater springs, with the help of a tortoise, an owl, and a dragon.

Genres: Mythology, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

Paul D. Storrie was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He started writing professionally in 1998 with the comic book ROBYN OF SHERWOOD about Robin Hood's daughter.

Since then, he has written comics and graphic novels for Moonstone Books, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Devil's Due Publishing, Bluewater Productions, and Lerner Books' Graphic Universe division. He has also written short stories for the prose anthologies WEREWOLVES: DEAD MOON RISING and THE GREEN HORNET CASEFILES.

He currently lives in the Detroit suburbs.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost every culture has a flood myth; this is a very simple yet accurate account of the ancient Chinese telling of this foundational legend. Really like this series because it looks at legends that may not be as well known to the general public; I truly believe that you can learn much about a culture based on the legends it has passed down over the centuries.

[Tyler Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see read about story graphic novel. because can't talk animal realistic fiction. I like it.

[Rano · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok..

[Pyton]

ez

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well done. The artwork was thoughtful. The story itself made sense. As far as I could research the myth seemed accurate. Worth the read.

[Tasha Calaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yu is summoned by the emperor to finish the work his father, Gun, could not--the floods in China. His father was sneaky in his ways to try and stop the floods which caused his murder. Now, Yu must try and learn from his father's mistakes to try and stop the floods as well. He is the great grandson of the Emperor God of Heaven, Huang Di. Huang Di is believed to be causing the floods. Yu meets with him and is granted a Turtle and a Dragon to help him on his journey to stop the floods.


There is no content issues. I enjoyed this book. It was the first graphic novel I have ever read and I liked it better than I thought I would. It was hard to look at the pictures at first cause I am so used to just reading. It kept my interest because I had no idea what was going to happen. It wasn't predictable like I thought it would be.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This graphic novel retells the Chinese legend of Yu the Great, reputedly the first emperor of the Xia Dynasty in 2100 BC. As a youth, Y is summoned by the emperor to get rid of floods which had been plaguing China for many years, and he has to enlist the help of spirits in animal form and heavenly beings to do so.

The art work is bright, using bold colors. The book is short, and might be a good introduction to reading for reluctant readers. It's part of a series of ten or more "Graphic Myths and Legends" from around the world.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2007 Cybils Nominee -- Graphic Novels

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cool graphic novel retelling of a Chinese folk tale. Should appeal to kids who like graphic adventure stories with fantastical elements (but there's not really any humor in this story).