Binu and the Great Wall: The Myth of Meng [Import] [Hardcover]

Su Tong (Author), Howard Goldblatt (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 2008

Knopf Canada welcomes one of China’s most acclaimed and bestselling writers–author of Raise the Red Lantern–to the list with a fascinating retelling of a magical story–already an international bestseller in China and Europe.

Through Binu’s extraordinary story, Su Tong illuminates one of China’s most magical myths. In Peach village, crying is forbidden. But as a child, Binu never learnt to hide her tears. Shunned by the villagers, she faces a bleak future until she meets the man she will marry, Qiliang.

A few years after their marriage, Qiliang disappears. Binu learns that he has been transported hundreds of miles and forced to labour on a project of terrifying ambition and scale–the building of the Great Wall. Inspired by her love for her husband, Binu sets out on an extraordinary journey across Great Swallow Mountain, with only a blind frog for company. What follows is an unforgettable story of passion, hardship and magical adventure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Su Tong has written a wonderfully magical and human story. In spite of the fact that Binu and the Great Wall is a tale replete with sorrow, it is an uplifting affirmation of the strength of the human spirit.” –Blogcritic.org

“This is a gripping, insightful depiction of the lives of commoners under the Qing Dynasty. Ultimately, Tong’s myth allows good to triumph over evil – particularly with the collapse of the Great Wall, a metaphor for ruling class oppression. It’s a tragic tale of female strength and ultimately, love.” –Time Out

“The tale might have been passed down the generations in China, but to a European reader it has all the excitement and allure of a fresh discovery. . . . Tong’s retelling of this ancient myth can be read as symbolic of a country scarred by the Mao era, and sets a high benchmark for future volumes in the Myths series.” –The Daily Telegraph (UK)

“A wonderful read – with all of a fairy tale’s leaps and turns and queer, vivid images. . . . The book is rich as a piece of brocade, by turns violent and forgiving, harsh and tender. A masterful retelling of an ancient fairy story.” –The Observer

“A straight retelling of an idiosyncratic journey. . . . The Chinese language is . . . a visual art, and the painterly quality of Tong’s words is striking . . . Little surprise that Tong’s Raise the Red Lantern became such a visually exciting film, and that this new myth-picture splashes in the memory.” –The Times (UK)

About the Author

Su Tong was born in Suzhou, China, in 1963, and currently lives in Beijing. He is the author of the novel Rice and the three-novella collection Raise the Red Lantern, the title story of which was made into an Oscar-nominated film by Zhang Yimou.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Canada (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0676978541
• ISBN-13: 978-0676978544
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,108,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 2, 2010

By 

Steve E. Ownby (Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Binu and The Great Wall: The Myth of Meng (Myths, The) (Hardcover)

Great Service! the book is an excellent buy for those interested in folklore & the Great Wall of China. Underlying theme shows tremendous human agony and suffering in the building. Shi Huang Di accomplished much but also inflicted much pain! Great Read!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding, March 12, 2009

By 

Sojun - See all my reviews

This review is from: Binu and The Great Wall: The Myth of Meng (Myths, The) (Hardcover)

Binu & the Great Wall is a truly unforgettable work of art.
A Chinese tale, though, over thousands of years old, is here
retold and restored to life by the talented author ~ Su Tong.
Spellbinding & Relevant.