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A Floating Life
History and legend combine in Simon Elegant's bawdy "autobiographical" account of China's famed rabble-rousing versemaker Li Po.
On a lavishly outfitted river barge in ancient China, a studious young vintner's son takes down the life story of the extraordinary Tang Dynasty poet-in-exile, none other than the "Banished Immortal" himself, the great Li Po. Each day, the young man sits with brush, ink, and scroll and meticulously records the outlandish adventures that Li Po (with flask of warm rice wine always in hand) his ride on the back of an enormous eagle; his work for a brutal butcher as a Pigboy-in-training; his role as advisor to Emperor Hsuan Tsung (in matters of cock-fighting and tree-climbing, not of state); and his recurring encounters with the glorious Peony, a high courtesan and the finest singer in the land.
Li Po rails against all that conspires to constrain the philosophy of "that pietistic old prater Confucius," the elaborate rules governing the composition of verse, the rigid examinations required to obtain an official post, and the greedy emperors whose expansionism leads China into a period of rebellion and catastrophe.
On a lavishly outfitted river barge in ancient China, a studious young vintner's son takes down the life story of the extraordinary Tang Dynasty poet-in-exile, none other than the "Banished Immortal" himself, the great Li Po. Each day, the young man sits with brush, ink, and scroll and meticulously records the outlandish adventures that Li Po (with flask of warm rice wine always in hand) his ride on the back of an enormous eagle; his work for a brutal butcher as a Pigboy-in-training; his role as advisor to Emperor Hsuan Tsung (in matters of cock-fighting and tree-climbing, not of state); and his recurring encounters with the glorious Peony, a high courtesan and the finest singer in the land.
Li Po rails against all that conspires to constrain the philosophy of "that pietistic old prater Confucius," the elaborate rules governing the composition of verse, the rigid examinations required to obtain an official post, and the greedy emperors whose expansionism leads China into a period of rebellion and catastrophe.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Simon Elegant
5 booksSimon Elegant is an award-winning journalist, novelist, and screenwriter with an extensive career covering Asia. He served as Bureau Chief for TIME magazine in both Southeast Asia and China and worked as an editor and correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review. His journalism provided in-depth insights into the region’s political, social, and economic landscapes, earning him a distinguished reputation in the field.
As a novelist, he has written A Chinese Wedding, which explores the cultural complexities faced by an American woman marrying into a Hong Kong family, and A Floating Life, a historical novel centered on the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai. The latter was praised by The New York Times for its evocative portrayal of both the legendary poet and the world he inhabited, offering readers a blend of rich historical detail and universal human experiences.
Beyond writing, Elegant is also a founding partner of the acclaimed Temple Restaurant Beijing, a venture that merges fine dining with a deep appreciation for Chinese heritage.
As a novelist, he has written A Chinese Wedding, which explores the cultural complexities faced by an American woman marrying into a Hong Kong family, and A Floating Life, a historical novel centered on the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai. The latter was praised by The New York Times for its evocative portrayal of both the legendary poet and the world he inhabited, offering readers a blend of rich historical detail and universal human experiences.
Beyond writing, Elegant is also a founding partner of the acclaimed Temple Restaurant Beijing, a venture that merges fine dining with a deep appreciation for Chinese heritage.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 20, 2017
I completely enjoyed A Floating Life. I believe that's because I read it as a novel, not expecting scrupulous historical accuracy. I think fictitious is still the meaning of Novel and as such it was a delight. I cared not one wit to it's non-adherence to history because I was not looking for that, nor poetry, but simply to be entertained with a story. And I was. Loved his characterization of this man and it made me long to know a person such as described. Li Po within this tale, was a first class Bohemian. I have no idea what the real Li Po was like, but I loved THIS guy, his floating life, and his friends.
February 6, 2020
I loved every minute of this fictionalized biography of arguably Chinese greatest classical poet, and often recommend it, not only to fans of this art form but also to people who love, as I do, any well-done evocation of life in ancient China.
June 13, 2024
#Re-read 2024
I read this when it first came out in 1997-- bought it at the old Page One bookstore in Hong Kong. Even after all this time, I had not forgotten the opening scene when Li Po was still a child and was scooped up by an eagle but somehow managed to fly home on its back like a god riding on a garuda. I recalled the scene slightly differently but somehow that opening was just a fantastic introduction to the character portrait of Li Po.
These days I read so much American literary fiction coming out of the MFA-publishing pipeline that this came like a breath of fresh air--old fashioned in some sense, but in the best possible way. I loved the book when I first read it, before I knew anything about Li Po, but truly admired it this time around now that I had more knowledge of the poet and Chinese literary history. In addition to fantastic character development, I was bowled over by the way he incorporated a thousand evocative details from the work of Edward Schafer's the Golden Peaches of Samarkand in his world-building. It worked fantastically!! This novel brings those "Tang exotics" to life. I also thought he did a fantastic job with the poetry. I would have loved to have notes on which poems were his versus Owens' etc.
Will continue to keep this book close to my heart!
I read this when it first came out in 1997-- bought it at the old Page One bookstore in Hong Kong. Even after all this time, I had not forgotten the opening scene when Li Po was still a child and was scooped up by an eagle but somehow managed to fly home on its back like a god riding on a garuda. I recalled the scene slightly differently but somehow that opening was just a fantastic introduction to the character portrait of Li Po.
These days I read so much American literary fiction coming out of the MFA-publishing pipeline that this came like a breath of fresh air--old fashioned in some sense, but in the best possible way. I loved the book when I first read it, before I knew anything about Li Po, but truly admired it this time around now that I had more knowledge of the poet and Chinese literary history. In addition to fantastic character development, I was bowled over by the way he incorporated a thousand evocative details from the work of Edward Schafer's the Golden Peaches of Samarkand in his world-building. It worked fantastically!! This novel brings those "Tang exotics" to life. I also thought he did a fantastic job with the poetry. I would have loved to have notes on which poems were his versus Owens' etc.
Will continue to keep this book close to my heart!
August 24, 2020
Enjoyed the history of ancient Chinese life.
April 11, 2016
This is a fictional autobiography of Li Bai, the famous Tang-dynasty poet, but here spelled according to the Wade-Giles transliteration as Li Po. In fact, all the names are not just in Wade-Giles but in Wade-Giles with all the apostrophes left out, just to make sure it's confusing! I find this Li Bai easier to sympathize with than to admire. He's completely confident that he's the best poet there is, or maybe just the best at everything, and has lots of scorn for Confucian scholars and officials for their stodgy conventionality, but at the same time he craves the court's approval - those same stodgy officials' approval, mostly - and not because he as any plans for what to do with that approval except bask. He's horribly callous about birds, even though he has a special rapport with them in some ways. His two-mindedness about the court leads to a lot of ups and downs. There are a few peaceful parts, like his stay as a Daoist student on Mount Tai, right next to lots of gruesome ones, like his time butchering pigs alongside a mentally ill slave. The most enjoyable aspect were the vivid descriptions of static scenes. It was disappointing to find out that the author moved a real poet (Xue Tao) a century too early in history just to make her Li Bai's lover. But to give credit where credit is due, I wouldn't have known if he hadn't said so in the afterword.
July 20, 2009
This book left me with a feeling I'd almost describe as inspiration, yet cautionary at the same time. A very readable story, I'm intrigued to dig up some further translations of Li Po's writings beyond what is contained in this book. (Ezra Pound made some translations in the early 1900's.)
Li Po was a Chinese poet alive in the 700's, a free thinker contrasting the rigid society in which he lived. A genius as well as a notorious wine drinker, he lived life fully, perhaps too fully -- up to his somewhat poetic death, falling drunk into the Yangtze River and drowning while trying to embrace the moon...
A quick, enjoyable and thoughtful read.
Li Po was a Chinese poet alive in the 700's, a free thinker contrasting the rigid society in which he lived. A genius as well as a notorious wine drinker, he lived life fully, perhaps too fully -- up to his somewhat poetic death, falling drunk into the Yangtze River and drowning while trying to embrace the moon...
A quick, enjoyable and thoughtful read.
February 19, 2010
I was disappointed with this book. Being a great fan of Haiku,I was eager to read this historical novel about Li Po. Although points of the great poet's life are fascinating,the book is almost entirely first person monologue,and the young scribe is merely there to act as a literary foil for this prolonged discourse. I found Li Po's character unlikable, and that would have been all right since this book is electing to tell his life story, but there is no relief from it. I admit I skimmed through chapters. However,the author researched well, and if you like Li Po, you'll find this interesting. Big credits to Elegant for an original idea.
May 13, 2009
Superb novel bringing Li Po and his times to vivid life. One of my favorite poets and one of the great, if spendthrift, lives ever lived.
July 20, 2010
Not a bad story, but a little disjointed. Probably to be expected from a novel made from strung-together legends about an historical figure.
January 18, 2011
Outstanding fictional autobiography of Chinese poet Li Po. This book sparked (or maybe revived) my love of Chinese and Japanese literature. Too bad it's out of print!
January 3, 2016
Took me more than three tries to start this book...about halfway through it got much better. Worth a read if you can hang on!
January 9, 2011
The subject was fascinating but some of it was a little slow.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews