The Court of the Lion: A Novel of the T'Ang Dynasty [Paperback]

Eleanor Cooney (Author), Daniel Altieri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1990

Political conniving, passion, treason and pageantry fill the days at the Emperor's court during the T'ang dynasty. But as the Emperor loses himself in a concubines's delights, he is little aware of the brewing conspiracy that threatens his throne. Only his friend, a eunuch acting as detective, sage, matchmaker and warrior can save his empire. HC: Morrow.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Set in eighth-century China during the T'ang dynasty, this massive historical novel quickly captures the imagination while its accuracy of detail rewards readers interested in the period . . . a triumphant mix of fact and fiction," judged PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

It all begins because Lady Wu, favored consort of the Emperor, decides to pursue a hobby. Traitorous messages inside flowers delivered for arranging speak to her latent ambitions. She plans the assassination of the young prince; her own son rejects his new right to the throne; the Empress commits suicide; and the Emperor retreats into his grief. Lin Lin-fu, the unscrupulous chief minister and author of the flower messages, begins a masterfully executed reign of terror, impeded only by Kao Li-Shih, the Emperor's chief eunuch and best friend. The intricate tapestry of 8th-century China unfolds as slowly and artistically as a lotus blossom in this spellbinding novel with believable characters. Highly recommended for most public libraries. Joan Hinkemeyer, Englewood P.L., Col.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380709856
• ISBN-13: 978-0380709854
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,222,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real history, fictional format, December 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Court of the Lion: A Novel of the T'Ang Dynasty (Hardcover)

This is one of the most incredible historical novels I have ever read. The sheer deviousness of the intrigue, the twists and turns of the plot, and the settings (both glorious and decadent) keep you glued to it, but remembering that most of the content is taken from historical fact is frosting on the cake. Cooney and Altieri do a remarkable job of taking actual historical events (and you would be surprised at how many of the events are actually historical!) and filling in the gaps with well-written prose to make each and every character come to life with personalities and motivations that explain it all. One of my all-time favorites!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars brings a lost world to life, October 8, 2000

By 

K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Court of the Lion: A Novel of the T'Ang Dynasty (Paperback)

This is a complex and well written novel. Set at the end of the T'ang dynasty (AD738)in China it shows how the dynasty fell. Virtually all the charcters in the novel are based on historical people and the society as laid out in the novel is obviously based on a lot of research. It involves death, deception, loyalty and dishonour - and the founding of Korea as a penal state for political dissidents. (shades of Australia!)

This is not a quick book to read (it's quite big at 920 pages). However at the end you marvel at the author's ability to portray so well a world so long gone. Esecially when you consider that the authors are from "the west" and not China.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A amazing view into a very rich Chinese history, July 7, 2000

By 

Michael (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Court of the Lion: A Novel of the T'Ang Dynasty (Paperback)

I have read this book a total of four times since my mother bought me this book. The description of the T'ang city is extremely rich and very colorful and the characters are very wonderful to read.. To put it simply, it is about several characters who struggles to save the T'ang dynasty from corruption from within. If you're looking for a very good drama/mystery book, I strongly recommend you to hunt this book down, because it is worth the time to read..