The Song of Mu Lan

by Jeanne M. Lee

Mu Lan is at her loom when she hears the Emperor's call to arms. She rides off to war in her father's stead, embarking on a journey of ten thousand miles that takes her away from home for ten years. Her courage and valor bring her to the Emperor's attention and to the Golden Court. When offered whatever she wishes as a reward, she asks only to go home. There she surprises her mother and father, sister and brother--but it is her comrades in arms who are most surprised of all.
The Song of Mu Lan is closely translated from an ancient text and echoes the rhythms of Chinese, which is here faithfully reproduced in original calligraphy by Chan Bo Wan, the artist's father. Jeanne M. Lee has rendered the panorama of characters in silken watercolors, providing a lush counterpoint to the spare, elegant text.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, China, Historical, Asia, Childrens, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 1991

About the author

Jeanne M. Lee is the author and illustrator of many books, including The Song of Mu Lan and I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The traditional Chinese folk legend of Mu Lan, first set down as a poem in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), is retold in this beautiful bilingual picture-book by Jeanne M. Lee, Chinese-American artist and children's author. A gender-bending tale of filial devotion, it sets out the story of Mu Lan, a young woman who takes her elderly father's place in the emperor's army, determined to spare him the suffering and privation of military life. Spending ten years in the field, Mu Lan advances to the rank of general, but declines the rewards offered by the emperor, deciding instead to return home, where her status as a woman is revealed.

In "Writing Chinese America Into Words and Images: Storytelling and Retelling of The Song of Mu Lan," a fascinating article that appeared in the April 2006 issue of The Lion and the Unicorn, scholar Lan Dong (whom I see has now published a full-length study on the subject, Mulan's Legend and Legacy in China and the United States ), compared this picture-book to Disney's animated retelling of the (arguably) same tale, concluding that while the Disney production was really an American story, in exoticized Chinese garb, Lee's work (like that of Maxine Hong Kingston, in her classic The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts ) was a genuine melding of Chinese and American traditions.

Although I found Dong's analysis insightful, as it concerned the cultural import of the various retellings of Mu Lan that she considered, and agree that this bilingual retelling is infinitely to be preferred to the Disney film, and its many print adaptations, I wasn't entirely satisfied with Lee's version, judged on its own merits. The watercolor illustrations, done by Lee herself, are gorgeous, as is the traditional calligraphy done by her father, Chan Bo Wan. But while I appreciated that the English translation here was faithful to the poetic form of the original, the text just wasn't that pleasing, as English. Song Nan Zhang, who chose to present his English translation in prose, in the similarly bilingual The Ballad of Mulan , made a wiser decision, I think, and if I could combine his text with Lee's illustrations, I would have my ideal "Mu Lan." As it is, I recommend this telling, together with Song Nan Zhang's, for all young readers interested in a more authentic retelling of this tale, particularly those who may only have encountered the Disney version up until now.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are incredibly beautiful and fit the story so perfectly. Chinese characters accompany the text and the story is written in Chinese on the end papers. A great book that evokes the sense of the culture.

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. I think I was expecting something more--even if it's just a direct translation of the (very short) poem, the artwork could have lifted this higher. If you're looking for the bare basic poem/fairytale, then this is for you. If you wanted something more dynamic and interesting, not so much.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. Along with the English version of this poem there are the Chinese versions on the end pages and written on the pages of the book. A beautiful book for anyone to enjoy.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations. Orangy background for illustrations provides warm feeling.

Chinese lettering also presented on each page.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the poetic narration of the text. The illustrations are lovely and incorporate elements of Asian Art.

[Kelly McKenzie]

This story is interesting to children because they have probably heard the fable about Mu Lan and seen the movie. This is just another avenue for them to learn about the story. It allows children to think about what it might be like to leave home and go fight a battle. They can also wonder about a girl dressing up as a boy and keeping her disguise for such a long time. The story is age-appropriate although some passages are a little complex and may need to be explained to the children. The story talks about her dad being called to arms and her taking his place and then going to battle and winning many medals of honor; this is a rich plot with many details and movements. In this version, she reveals herself as a woman at the end of the story and it doesn't appear that the men care or are bothered that she has been lying all the years. So there isn't necessarily a problem and nothing needs to be resolved. The characters are realistic, although it may be hard for a child to understand dressing up and keeping up the appearance of a man for so long. But the character is not overly complex or oversimplified. It is a stretch to think of her as a man, but most children know the movie of Mu Lan and can understand the story. The pictures correspond with the text and are easily to follow along with. The students would be able to look at the pictures and understand the story. The characters are only from one cultural group and even though she travels 10,000 miles, it doesn't mention Mu Lan being involved with any other culture other than Asian. So I think that is the only culture represented. But she does travel a long distance, so there is probably diversity within the culture. The children are exposed to multiple perspectives because the story is told about a woman dressing up as a man, so it is told from her perspective. Mu Lan is represented as a good character because even though it isn't her duty, she goes to battle in place of her father. The author is Chinese and the story is about a Chinese girl.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delicate time period drawings give this book an ancient Chinese feel. However, because the work is a translation to English (with Chinese characters along the side) and is presented in verse, my student had a little trouble following along. Reading the book jacket summary of the story helped in this regard.

A lovely work, but not our favorite. A strong selection nonetheless, particularly for study of ancient China (or to give historical perspective to the Disney production).

[Starbubbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this. The illustrations were lovely, the story was well done and I could only assume translated well. This was in the non-fiction juvenille section of the library. that surprised me because I had never thought of the disney movie of being of actual events. You know what I mean.

I'm glad I finally got to read this.

[dthaase · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text is believed to be an old Chinese folk poem dating from A.D. 420 - A.D. 589. The verses of the poem are still taught to children in China today and are sung in Chinese opera in different dialects. Beautiful illustrations.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mu Lan hears the calls to arms for her father and she wants to go instead of him, but she is not a man. So she disguises herself as a man and goes to war for him.

A nice telling of the legend of Mu Lan. The pictures were nice too.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the tale of Mulan, the young girl who takes her elderly fathers place in the Chinese army. She travels for many years disguised as a man. When she returns home and is awarded many medals, her comrades are shocked to see her in women's dress.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

poem of Mu Lan, includes Chinese symbols, lovely illustrations

themes: China, family, folktales, war, women

[Miss Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

not Disney. and this is good. beautiful art, lovely language. completely worthwhile.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the rhythm of the poetry - beautifully simplistic. A book to slowly savor.