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The Ten Thousand Things: Winner of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
A riveting historical novel set in fourteenth-century China.
In the turbulent final years of the Yuan Dynasty, Wang Meng is a minor bureaucrat in the government of the Mongol conquerors. He is also an extraordinarily gifted artist whose paintings capture the infinite expanse of China's natural beauty. But an empire in turmoil is not a place or time for sitting still. On his journeys across the realm, Wang encounters fellow master painters, a fierce female warrior known as the White Tigress who recruits him as a military strategist, and an unprepossessing young Buddhist monk who rises from beggary to extraordinary heights.
John Spurling's award-winning The Ten Thousand Things seamlessly fuses the epic and the intimate with the precision and depth that the real-life Wang Meng brought to his art.
In the turbulent final years of the Yuan Dynasty, Wang Meng is a minor bureaucrat in the government of the Mongol conquerors. He is also an extraordinarily gifted artist whose paintings capture the infinite expanse of China's natural beauty. But an empire in turmoil is not a place or time for sitting still. On his journeys across the realm, Wang encounters fellow master painters, a fierce female warrior known as the White Tigress who recruits him as a military strategist, and an unprepossessing young Buddhist monk who rises from beggary to extraordinary heights.
John Spurling's award-winning The Ten Thousand Things seamlessly fuses the epic and the intimate with the precision and depth that the real-life Wang Meng brought to his art.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
26 people are currently reading
662 people want to read
About the author
John Spurling
24 books10 followersBorn in Kisumu in 1936, and brought up in Nairobi, John came to England aged 10. Two years later he wrote and produced his first play - a schoolboy farce about Julius Caesar's fictitious third landing in Britain.
After National Service in the Royal Artillery, and studying Law at St. John's College, Oxford, in 1960 John helped organise a United Nations plebiscite in the then Southern Cameroons, now part of the Cameroun Republic.
In 1963 he joined the BBC as a radio announcer, where he stayed until he received a two-year grant from a group of West End theatre managers to write plays. This resulted in MacRune's Guevara, performed by the National Theatre in 1969 and recently revived off-Broadway.
John has been a freelance writer since 1966, reviewing, broadcasting and writing two books of criticism – on Beckett's plays and Greene's novels – as well as some 30 plays and, more recently, four novels. In 1973 John became Henfield Writing Fellow at the University of East Anglia and was The New Statesman's art critic from 1976-88.
John's latest books are The Ten Thousand Things, to be published by Overlook (New York) and Duckworth (London) in 2014, and A Book of Liszts, published by Seagull Books in 2011. Arcadian Nights, stories from the Greek myths, will be published by Overlook (New York) on February 2, 2016, and was already released by Duckworth (London) on September 24.
John is married to the biographer Hilary Spurling. They have three children, and live in London and Arcadia, Greece.
John's grandfather was the classical scholar, J.C.Stobart, the BBC's first Director of Education and author of "The Glory That Was Greece" and "The Grandeur That Was Rome"
After National Service in the Royal Artillery, and studying Law at St. John's College, Oxford, in 1960 John helped organise a United Nations plebiscite in the then Southern Cameroons, now part of the Cameroun Republic.
In 1963 he joined the BBC as a radio announcer, where he stayed until he received a two-year grant from a group of West End theatre managers to write plays. This resulted in MacRune's Guevara, performed by the National Theatre in 1969 and recently revived off-Broadway.
John has been a freelance writer since 1966, reviewing, broadcasting and writing two books of criticism – on Beckett's plays and Greene's novels – as well as some 30 plays and, more recently, four novels. In 1973 John became Henfield Writing Fellow at the University of East Anglia and was The New Statesman's art critic from 1976-88.
John's latest books are The Ten Thousand Things, to be published by Overlook (New York) and Duckworth (London) in 2014, and A Book of Liszts, published by Seagull Books in 2011. Arcadian Nights, stories from the Greek myths, will be published by Overlook (New York) on February 2, 2016, and was already released by Duckworth (London) on September 24.
John is married to the biographer Hilary Spurling. They have three children, and live in London and Arcadia, Greece.
John's grandfather was the classical scholar, J.C.Stobart, the BBC's first Director of Education and author of "The Glory That Was Greece" and "The Grandeur That Was Rome"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 25, 2015
A exquisite journey through the the historical China from the eyes of the master painter Wang Meng. I read it as a dialog between Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoist philosophies. Absolutely loved it, though it was not a page-turner but required certain kind of deliberated attachment to get the feel. My review in Urdu with a translated passage from the Chapter Blue Bein Mountains:
http://www.isharaat.com/2015/10/24/te...
http://www.isharaat.com/2015/10/24/te...
May 29, 2014
I'm at a bit of a loss. Wish I knew more about his research into the lives of Wang Meng, Ni Tsan, Old Huang; master 14th Century Yuan Dynasty landscape painters. The story is absorbing and lyrical. Loyalty, artistic integrity, a life with regrets and acceptance. The "art of nature, the nature of art." A mirror on our own lives.
November 6, 2014
Whenever we conjure up a mental picture of traditional Chinese landscape paintings it will often include arched bamboo, or crooked pines framing faint and distant mountains half shrouded in mist, with some human element – a house, or a bridge, or a pagoda - closer towards the foreground.
These painting will be sparse in colour, or simply rendered in shades of black and white and grey with large blank areas that give a sense of expansion, spaciousness and scale to the overall scene.
Some of the blank space will be filled with Chinese writing, often a poem or a dedication to the artist’s patron. If this is the sort of image that comes to your mind then you are already familiar with the style of art created and inspired by Wang Meng, one of ancient China’s most famous and influential landscape painters.
Wang Meng was a minor civil servant who to a large extent lived a life of gentlemanly leisure until he became embroiled in the historical events of the fourteenth century Yuan Dynasty. China was, and had been for some time, under Mongol occupation. While this state of affairs was generally accepted it rankled with many Chinese that they no longer had the autonomy or control to rule their own country. Pockets of dissent sprung up eventually leading to outright rebellion, or rather rebellions, as there were different factions involved, all hungry for power and keen to overthrow the erstwhile rulers.
It is upon this background that John Spurling has set his novel Ten Thousand Things, following Wang Meng through the natural and political landscapes of the time. It is both a biographical and historical giving the reader a real sense of how ordinary Chinese, as well as those more well off, lived at the time. It is also a good primer for the artwork of the period, feauturing several important artists as characters, showing their role in influencing Wang Meng’s unique style, that in later years became the subject of much emulation, until the present day.
The painter’s life as portrayed is historically accurate, as are the events described in the novel, and the mild-mannered artist finds himself swept up in adventures almost despite himself, enduring all manner of hardship and difficulty.
Spurling’s writing is exquisite. He creates scenes with a sensitivity and attention to aesthetic detail that seems light and effortless, yet deeply moving. To read this book is to plunge into another world, to be transported, not into some dimly remembered past, but a very real and vividly imagined world that is thoroughly convincing. Well worth reading.
These painting will be sparse in colour, or simply rendered in shades of black and white and grey with large blank areas that give a sense of expansion, spaciousness and scale to the overall scene.
Some of the blank space will be filled with Chinese writing, often a poem or a dedication to the artist’s patron. If this is the sort of image that comes to your mind then you are already familiar with the style of art created and inspired by Wang Meng, one of ancient China’s most famous and influential landscape painters.
Wang Meng was a minor civil servant who to a large extent lived a life of gentlemanly leisure until he became embroiled in the historical events of the fourteenth century Yuan Dynasty. China was, and had been for some time, under Mongol occupation. While this state of affairs was generally accepted it rankled with many Chinese that they no longer had the autonomy or control to rule their own country. Pockets of dissent sprung up eventually leading to outright rebellion, or rather rebellions, as there were different factions involved, all hungry for power and keen to overthrow the erstwhile rulers.
It is upon this background that John Spurling has set his novel Ten Thousand Things, following Wang Meng through the natural and political landscapes of the time. It is both a biographical and historical giving the reader a real sense of how ordinary Chinese, as well as those more well off, lived at the time. It is also a good primer for the artwork of the period, feauturing several important artists as characters, showing their role in influencing Wang Meng’s unique style, that in later years became the subject of much emulation, until the present day.
The painter’s life as portrayed is historically accurate, as are the events described in the novel, and the mild-mannered artist finds himself swept up in adventures almost despite himself, enduring all manner of hardship and difficulty.
Spurling’s writing is exquisite. He creates scenes with a sensitivity and attention to aesthetic detail that seems light and effortless, yet deeply moving. To read this book is to plunge into another world, to be transported, not into some dimly remembered past, but a very real and vividly imagined world that is thoroughly convincing. Well worth reading.
July 8, 2015
This is a brilliant, absorbing novel with colorful characters, illuminating the 14th century in China by its focus on a group of artists who actually lived and achieved renown. It is literate, entertaining, well-researched, and educational.
John Spurling has written many more plays than novels. Perhaps this is a reason that I enjoyed the conversations between characters so much. I felt as though I were eavesdropping on real interactions between unique individuals. In a good play or a screenplay, the dialogue conveys much more just a sequence of utterances and responses. The words represent a development of a situation that has dramatic structure. In "The Ten Thousand Things", conversations between characters virtually sparkled with intelligence and interesting turns.
John Spurling has written many more plays than novels. Perhaps this is a reason that I enjoyed the conversations between characters so much. I felt as though I were eavesdropping on real interactions between unique individuals. In a good play or a screenplay, the dialogue conveys much more just a sequence of utterances and responses. The words represent a development of a situation that has dramatic structure. In "The Ten Thousand Things", conversations between characters virtually sparkled with intelligence and interesting turns.
December 22, 2016
Ponderous.
July 16, 2014
Lovely descriptive tale of the Yuan-dynasty artist Wang Meng as he lived through the end of one dynasty and the beginning of another (the Ming dynasty).
Any student of Chinese history will appreciate the story and the insights into the politics, art and history of that time period. The story moves along smoothly, so it is pleasant to read.
My favorite character wasn't Wang Meng himself, though. His fellow artist Ni Zan holds that honor- Ni Zan was also a real person- an actual friend of the real Wang Meng- and, as portrayed in the book, he gave away all his stuff and went to live on a houseboat for years- sailing around to avoid all the turmoil engulfing the country. The friendship between the two characters made some of the best scenes in the book.
Do yourself a favor after reading the book- go look online for some images of Wang Meng and Ni Zan's paintings (and the other artists mentioned in the book)- you'll get a new appreciation for those pieces of art and better understand Yuan dynasty landscape art overall.
Any student of Chinese history will appreciate the story and the insights into the politics, art and history of that time period. The story moves along smoothly, so it is pleasant to read.
My favorite character wasn't Wang Meng himself, though. His fellow artist Ni Zan holds that honor- Ni Zan was also a real person- an actual friend of the real Wang Meng- and, as portrayed in the book, he gave away all his stuff and went to live on a houseboat for years- sailing around to avoid all the turmoil engulfing the country. The friendship between the two characters made some of the best scenes in the book.
Do yourself a favor after reading the book- go look online for some images of Wang Meng and Ni Zan's paintings (and the other artists mentioned in the book)- you'll get a new appreciation for those pieces of art and better understand Yuan dynasty landscape art overall.
July 8, 2016
A little too long. A little too many names, and too many dynasties. Too many young beautiful women falling for the married hero. Even though it's based on real events, the emphasis of the narrative seems to betray the writer's fantasies. What's good: descriptions of the different styles of 14th century painting, becoming more colorful as time goes on. Also, the "White Tigress," a charismatic bandit, is the most interesting character, and the narrative drags after she is gone. The reader can find many of the paintings online, and compare them to the descriptions in the book. My favorites were not by the hero, the master of landscapes, Wang Meng, but the humorous paintings of horses by his ancestors.
June 1, 2015
Exquisite prose, serene and believable narrative voice. To say I found this book engrossing is an understatement. The only thing that could have made it better was to read the text in situ. Both the literal pictures described in the book and the pictures the author painted with his words have opened up a world previously unknown and inaccessible. I now feel like I've been to China in the 13th century. I am now in pursuit of Wang Meng's art. And you should pursue a copy of this book with haste. This has been one of the most satisfying, engaging and introspective books I have ever read.
December 24, 2017
It is very difficult to write a historical novel set in China. The challenge is to make its social world seem different from that of the Western reader without degenerating into exoticism -- which itself is just a projection of Western fantasies onto China.
The Ten Thousand Things meets the challenge simply by telling a straightforward story and leaving the fortune cookies behind. It deals with Chinese politics, religion, art, and philosophy in economical and accessible prose.
Spurling has written a wonderful book.
The Ten Thousand Things meets the challenge simply by telling a straightforward story and leaving the fortune cookies behind. It deals with Chinese politics, religion, art, and philosophy in economical and accessible prose.
Spurling has written a wonderful book.
July 8, 2014
Set as China splintered itself into the Ming dynasty, following the life of the artist Wang Meng, an old-fashioned historical novel that examines an era through its effects on one character.
January 17, 2018
Based on the life of the 14th century Chinese painter Wang Meng, who witnessed--and even participated in--the downfall of the Mongol-run Yuan Dynasty and the establishment of the Ming, this book consciously avoids being a blockbuster historical drama. Instead, the author adopts the attitude of the painter himself, offering an oblique and meditative view of world-changing events through the metaphor of his paintings.
The descriptions of numerous paintings are the overriding strength of the book. Described with great precision and sensitivity, anyone with even passing acquaintance with Chinese painting can picture each piece in stunning detail in their mind's eye. Each element of every painting is contemplated, its motivation and meaning explored, and many questions raised. With what significance does this thatch hut extend on pylons over the stream? What is so controversial about a footpath vanishing off the edge of the paper and reappearing in shadow? I'd never imagined before that such details could be so interesting! These are what make the book truly stand out.
I think one needs a lot of patience to appreciate this novel for its unconventional intertwining of history, biography, and art criticism. It's a novel of rumination rather than deep emotional engagement. To quote the author's description of Wang's relationship with his wife: “their relationship has continued to fluctuate between warm and cool, like the weather in a mild climate, without ever becoming distinctly hot or cold.” So too my feelings about this book.
The descriptions of numerous paintings are the overriding strength of the book. Described with great precision and sensitivity, anyone with even passing acquaintance with Chinese painting can picture each piece in stunning detail in their mind's eye. Each element of every painting is contemplated, its motivation and meaning explored, and many questions raised. With what significance does this thatch hut extend on pylons over the stream? What is so controversial about a footpath vanishing off the edge of the paper and reappearing in shadow? I'd never imagined before that such details could be so interesting! These are what make the book truly stand out.
I think one needs a lot of patience to appreciate this novel for its unconventional intertwining of history, biography, and art criticism. It's a novel of rumination rather than deep emotional engagement. To quote the author's description of Wang's relationship with his wife: “their relationship has continued to fluctuate between warm and cool, like the weather in a mild climate, without ever becoming distinctly hot or cold.” So too my feelings about this book.
July 10, 2018
This book is beautiful beyond description. The history of China in the 14 century described at the time of turmoil and struggle gives the reader a better understanding of this country in our time.
While dynasties risen and destroyed, the new order of power is as cruel and bloodthirsty as the old one, the art of observing and reflecting the ten thousand things is a way of acceptance of ones times.
Written in exclusive style, with the description of ancient art of calligraphy the book flows as a river in reader's mind. The art of contemplation, meditation in nature and appreciation of all thing beautiful in life makes its possible to survive the most dark times in one's person life.
While dynasties risen and destroyed, the new order of power is as cruel and bloodthirsty as the old one, the art of observing and reflecting the ten thousand things is a way of acceptance of ones times.
Written in exclusive style, with the description of ancient art of calligraphy the book flows as a river in reader's mind. The art of contemplation, meditation in nature and appreciation of all thing beautiful in life makes its possible to survive the most dark times in one's person life.
August 6, 2018
I am probably not a suitable reader for this metaphorical book about the life experience of artist Wang Meng in the ancient China. This is not a novelwhere the plot is the center of the story, instead, the philosophy, visual arts, feelings and meditation take the leading place here.
The writing style is interesting and the ancient China is a wonderful canvas to paint the story on, so to say - I was just missing the story I could connect to.
The writing style is interesting and the ancient China is a wonderful canvas to paint the story on, so to say - I was just missing the story I could connect to.
May 5, 2020
Tedious. More about successive dynastic upheavals than about Wang Meng himself.
Came away feeling that I'd read a powdery history textbook with liberal dashes of Daoist sympathies. (These, along with successive fantasies of lovely young women offering themselves to the elderly protagonist, seem likely sentiments of John Spurling's, poorly concealed).
Came away feeling that I'd read a powdery history textbook with liberal dashes of Daoist sympathies. (These, along with successive fantasies of lovely young women offering themselves to the elderly protagonist, seem likely sentiments of John Spurling's, poorly concealed).
August 18, 2023
I too loved this book. Immersive prose and it takes one into so many elements of Chinese history, culture and life. Whether paintings, or political systems especially in dynastic change, or religions, these topics are beautifully communicated through characters living in historical moments. Throughly enjoyed.
December 19, 2025
I am so happy to have chanced upon this book. It is an engrossing novel set at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (and the start of the Ming). I rarely encounter great historical fiction, but this was one of them. The author successfully conjured up the novel's unique characters into paper. It made me research more about the period and also the people involved in the novel.
September 29, 2019
Beautiful. Takes you to a restorative place, this tale of inward calm and reflection on nature amidst threat and strife. Perfect for the present day. A world recreated in all it's alienness, yet always giving reminders of the world we are in
February 28, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4
October 4, 2021
The Ten Thousand Things is an utterly enthralling read, that transports the reader back to 14th century China. One can only begin to imagine the amount of historical and background research the author has performed in order to reconstruct for the reader a vision of 14th century China, with all its social complexities, that is detailed, vivid and engrossing.
The story follows the life Wang Meng, an artist and a man of leisure, who lives through the downfall of the Yang and the rise of the Ming dynasty. A key theme is loyalty, towards the government as well as to friends and family.
The book can however be slow at times, with long descriptions of contemplations of scenery Wang Meng wishes to paint, as well as inner philosophical contemplations the right to rule, and the morality of serving a foreign government.
Overall a book I would highly recommend.
The story follows the life Wang Meng, an artist and a man of leisure, who lives through the downfall of the Yang and the rise of the Ming dynasty. A key theme is loyalty, towards the government as well as to friends and family.
The book can however be slow at times, with long descriptions of contemplations of scenery Wang Meng wishes to paint, as well as inner philosophical contemplations the right to rule, and the morality of serving a foreign government.
Overall a book I would highly recommend.
June 28, 2025
I've read 90 pages and not alot has happened. I've lost interest not sure how it won awards
July 31, 2015
What are the Ten Thousand Things that the artist, government official, and philosopher Wang Meng says are “Mind” at the conclusion of this remarkable story which takes place in 14th Century China? They are everything sublime and temporal, every experience one could possibly experience combined with the exquisite expression of nature through art. Stories abound in this rich text of Wang’s life events and stories others have told him that have really occurred or are tales of Chinese history, mythology, and art. Characters are presented with their highly or poorly developed skills of dealing with the political troubles besetting China at the time and the mix is entrancing.
China of this time is experiencing the attack of rebels on Kublai Khan’s Mongolian rule, the beginning of the movement that will eventually usher in the Ming Dynasty. Wang is so disgusted by what he experiences as a low-level bureaucrat that he escapes to the solitude of the mountains to draw and paint. There he loses the jade ring he inherited from a notable and talented relative; the loss seems to affect his ability to paint and he wonders about the power behind objects and their connection to nature. Is the artist one with all he experiences and expresses?
One tale describes an artist who appears to be almost a madman who throws paint upon paper placed on the floor and dances upon it until what he wants to create appears. After reflection, while watching, Wang sees the genius of the technique and realizes how limited his skills and paintings are. Mind creates through multiple and even unimaginable avenues!
The concept of student and master is explored through multiple stories, revealing the possibilities of openness or closure depending on one’s perception. The same might be seen in the political spectrum; things are not always what may be perceived by participants or observers.
On and on it goes, but what is most remarkable about this collection of tales is the beauty of discovery in each scene, in each painting, in each conversation, in each conflict, and so on. The characters are complex and simple, revealing the overlay of perception and motivation, again not always so clear and sometimes as clear as an epiphany of revelation.
The Ten Thousand Things is a literary masterpiece that reveals classical philosophy and art of 14th Century China; it is bound to be best seller and a classic novel that will remain a timeless work beloved of its many readers.
China of this time is experiencing the attack of rebels on Kublai Khan’s Mongolian rule, the beginning of the movement that will eventually usher in the Ming Dynasty. Wang is so disgusted by what he experiences as a low-level bureaucrat that he escapes to the solitude of the mountains to draw and paint. There he loses the jade ring he inherited from a notable and talented relative; the loss seems to affect his ability to paint and he wonders about the power behind objects and their connection to nature. Is the artist one with all he experiences and expresses?
One tale describes an artist who appears to be almost a madman who throws paint upon paper placed on the floor and dances upon it until what he wants to create appears. After reflection, while watching, Wang sees the genius of the technique and realizes how limited his skills and paintings are. Mind creates through multiple and even unimaginable avenues!
The concept of student and master is explored through multiple stories, revealing the possibilities of openness or closure depending on one’s perception. The same might be seen in the political spectrum; things are not always what may be perceived by participants or observers.
On and on it goes, but what is most remarkable about this collection of tales is the beauty of discovery in each scene, in each painting, in each conversation, in each conflict, and so on. The characters are complex and simple, revealing the overlay of perception and motivation, again not always so clear and sometimes as clear as an epiphany of revelation.
The Ten Thousand Things is a literary masterpiece that reveals classical philosophy and art of 14th Century China; it is bound to be best seller and a classic novel that will remain a timeless work beloved of its many readers.
February 27, 2017
Managed to pick up the wrong "The Ten Thousand Things", this one set in China. But I finished it out, and really got to like the main character.
September 25, 2025
The Ten Thousand Things is a tactile immersion into an unfamiliar time and place, leaving a lasting impression of an atmosphere and culture.
Set at the demise of the Yuan Dynasty (14th century China), the story follows Wang Meng as he wanders the land on various personal errands and is gradually drawn into the cataclysmic events of his era.
There is not much action until our refined artist/philosopher becomes a war strategist for a group of rebels and eventually endures the hardship and loss of a siege. But we also experience the complexity of this medieval Chinese society and a deep dive into the philosophical world of Chinese fine arts. I could almost see the paintings through Spurling’s descriptions.
One aspect of particular interest to me, beyond the life of the painters and their artistic philosophy, is the tenacity of artists who continue to create while their world is in the midst of upheaval.
I cannot comment on the story’s accuracy as I was ignorant of this period beforehand. But it serves as a bridge to new curiosity and knowledge. It gives us a place to start.
April 4, 2015
The recollections of an elderly painter and ex-official who served in a minor capacity in the Ming dynasty, this story is filled with descriptions of his paintings which he originally felt were uninspired and pedestrian but eventually were praised by his contemporaries and are now considered to be by a master.
Descended from the Song dynasty, he kept a low profile during the final years of the Yuan, avoiding ties with the warlords who contended with one another and with the declining Mongols for power and is an interesting account of the torn loyalties of Han elite and literati during this period.
What the book lacked were images of the paintings referenced. As it was, googling produced images but with titles that were not the same as the ones in the book so that it was unclear if the image was the painting referenced.
Descended from the Song dynasty, he kept a low profile during the final years of the Yuan, avoiding ties with the warlords who contended with one another and with the declining Mongols for power and is an interesting account of the torn loyalties of Han elite and literati during this period.
What the book lacked were images of the paintings referenced. As it was, googling produced images but with titles that were not the same as the ones in the book so that it was unclear if the image was the painting referenced.
March 17, 2018
For me, reading this book was like eating sashimi. First some raw, chilled tuna with wasabi, then some salmon which tastes different but still delectable, then shrimp, octopus, scallop, and more. And finally with feelings of satisfaction, a 5-star rating is pronounced. But a few hours later, some doubt starts to seep in. The memories don't seem so perfect after all; a fishy aftertaste still lingers at the back of the throat, and makes the tummy feel a tad queasy. Perhaps a warm, brothy ramen would still be the preferable thing to have? And then as the days pass, the weeks, and the months, comes a little reflection that those memories of sashimi are no longer fond; at some point a mild distaste has even crept in.
December 6, 2024
A book to be savoured, and I highly recommend it: it should receive far more praise and attention. It is a modern classic.
A beautiful book, with a tremendous sense of place, moment, and story. Characters come and go, and bring momentary insights into new identities and values. It has an almost Don Quixote-esque sense of travelling through a distant world, in which priorities, values and expectations were quite different.
Edit: I have now given it away to many friends, and it has each time been extremely warmly reviewed. In addition, having learned a little more about Chinese art, poetry, and history since reading it, Spurling's novel remains resonant and gains new depths. I will try to reread it sometime soon.
A beautiful book, with a tremendous sense of place, moment, and story. Characters come and go, and bring momentary insights into new identities and values. It has an almost Don Quixote-esque sense of travelling through a distant world, in which priorities, values and expectations were quite different.
Edit: I have now given it away to many friends, and it has each time been extremely warmly reviewed. In addition, having learned a little more about Chinese art, poetry, and history since reading it, Spurling's novel remains resonant and gains new depths. I will try to reread it sometime soon.
November 3, 2015
A gentle, calming, classic-style story of political turmoil and spiritual escape - of the healing qualities of artistic appreciation.
The Blue Bien mountains tower above and the Yangze river meanders into the distance and while people fight and die everyday for power, others retreat into the illusory wonders of the earth, under the watchful eye of the Buddha. A soothing, easy read. Meditative.
The Blue Bien mountains tower above and the Yangze river meanders into the distance and while people fight and die everyday for power, others retreat into the illusory wonders of the earth, under the watchful eye of the Buddha. A soothing, easy read. Meditative.
September 25, 2015
This book is a literary masterpiece. Book is a natural blend of history and philosophy. Set in China in the middle of 14th century, it follows the life of low level [former] administrator, part freelance painter, named Wang, as he retires from active government duties under Mongol Yuan dynasty and tries to devote full time to landscape painting.
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December 22, 2015
Great writing style; it felt exactly like it was written indeed by a 14th century Chinese scholar or at least what I imagine that would be like. The story is based on the life of a painter and civil servant and his adventures and misadventures during a period of turmoil. My 3 stars are due to the fact that I thought the book dragged on, lacking a definite plot. Probably my shortcoming rather than the author's.
November 6, 2021
a book i found valuable, insightful, yet that didn't drag me in.
contemplations on the nature of life, and an individual's relationship to power, and forces outside of their control, framed through the highly fictionalised life of a Master of Chinese painting.
a project that fills me with fondness, yet the style seems lacking, not lingering enough on imagery for my liking (it is about an painter, after all).
rator: 171
contemplations on the nature of life, and an individual's relationship to power, and forces outside of their control, framed through the highly fictionalised life of a Master of Chinese painting.
a project that fills me with fondness, yet the style seems lacking, not lingering enough on imagery for my liking (it is about an painter, after all).
rator: 171
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews