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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ian Myles Slater on Another Fine Fantasy of Medieval China,
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This review is from: Devil Wives of Li Fong (Mass Market Paperback)
"Devil Wives of Li Fong," published in 1979, is one of two fantasy novels set in medieval China and written near the end of E. Hoffmann Price's long career as a professional writer (he was a friend and contemporary of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard). Like "Jade Enchantress" the story combines a likeable but imperfect hero, beautiful women (often, but not always, of supernatural origin), and a fair amount of Chinese history and "local color." For example, antagonisms between Buddhists and Taoists are one of the driving forces behind events in "Devil Wives," reflecting tensions and events of the T'ang Dynasty, while in "Jade Enchantress" government corruption and foreign war keep things moving. No prior knowledge is really necessary, although anyone who enjoys either of the books will probably want to find out more about the Celestial Hierarchy, Chinese demons, herbal medicine, and any number of other topics. "Devil Wives" seems rather closer to Chinese folk traditions, with local nature spirits running more of the show, but both combine Western and Eastern story-telling conventions.
The sort of supernatural women featured in this novel are examples of a rich body of Chinese tradition, which early on merged with stories and beliefs from India, introduced along with Buddhism -- which accounts for the perhaps slightly too-abundant information Price offers the reader. Those who are curious to learn more might try to find a library with a copy of Edward H. Schafer's "The Divine Woman: Dragon Ladies and Rain Maidens in T'ang Literature" (unfortunately, long out of print, although a new edition was announced in 2005 as "forthcoming"). Price, who emerged from the pulp fiction era of stock characterizations and ethnic stereotyping, tended to fall into these traps (albeit from a pro-Chinese perspective) even in his late science fiction, like "Operation Misfit" (1980) and its sequels. In "Jade Enchantress," the main focus is on Chinese characters and social roles and outsiders are seen through their eyes, so the alert reader is invited to interpret their perceptions as character development or plot devices instead of authorial opinions. (A similar technique was used by Robert van Gulik to portray Judge Dee in his series of mysteries in T'ang Dynasty China.) "Devil Wives" takes place in a more nearly completely Chinese setting, and some of these issues do not arise. It is a pity that Price did not write more such novels -- and that those he did write have not been kept in print.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Adventures of the Snake Women,
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This review is from: Devil Wives of Li Fong (Mass Market Paperback)
This is a light, enjoyable tale about two snake demons who want to become human. The story begins when they have achieved human form as a reward for centuries of good works. In their quest to become fully human women, they meet and marry Li Fong, an apothecary's apprentice. The household prospers with the help of the snake-women's magic. Unfortunately, their domestic bliss is threatened by a dishonest Taoist magician and a misguided Buddhist priest . . . . Price seems to have a rather stereotypical view of women that makes it obvious that the book was written in the 1970's (most likely for a male audience), and his characters tend to be somewhat flat. However, since the snake-women are not "real" women, it isn't too objectionable. I found myself more than willing to overlook any deficiencies in characterization in favor of the imaginative and entertaining plot.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Madam White Snake,
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This review is from: Devil Wives of Li Fong (Mass Market Paperback)
I found this pulp novel in a second hand store and picked it up for the fun of it. I was surprised to find it a rather good retelling of the clasic Chinese folk and opera tale, Madam White Snake. There is some variation in the ending, and the names have been changed.
The author gave no credit to the Chinese tales from which his plot is obviously formed. - one star for that.
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