The Lacquered
Talisman, A
novel of 14th-Century China by Laurie Dennis
Historical
fiction, 300 pp
Published
by Earnshaw Books Ltc. (Hong Kong), March 1, 2020
Reviewed
by: Bill Mathis,
About the Book
A
sweeping coming-of-age epic, The Lacquered Talisman launches the
story of one of the most influential figures in Chinese history. He is the son
of a beancurd seller and he will found the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China from
1368-1644. Known as “Fortune” as a boy, Zhu Yuanzhang has a large and doting
family who shepherd him through hardship until drought ravages the countryside
and heralds a plague. Left with nothing but a lacquered necklace from his
grandfather, Chen the Diviner, Fortune is deposited in the village temple and
is soon wandering the countryside as a begging monk. He encounters pockets of
resistance to the ruling Mongol dynasty, studies the stars, and tangles with
Taoists as he seeks to understand his destiny. Signs and dreams leave him
convinced that he has a special fate. Is he to be the abbot of a monastery? A
general? What matters most is that he prove himself to be a filial son.
Bill Mathis’s Review
A
fascinating and intriguing historical novel of tragedy and fortitude! 5 Stars!
From the
poorest of families emerges the filial son; From the worst of times emerges the
hero…
Called
Fortune as a boy, later called Vessel as a teen Buddhist monk wandering the
country side, Zhu Yuanzhang did not appear to be destined for greatness. At
least not to my Western mindset. Yet, later he grew up to found China’s Ming
Dynasty.
The
autumn dew has just turned white,
The moon
is the same one shining on my old home.
I have
brothers but they are all scattered,
No place
remains for me to ask after their fate.
Zhu’s extended
family made and sold bean curd, something he probably would have continued as
an adult if his family wasn’t forced to leave the city due to drought. Moving
from their tiny shop to the countryside, Zhu’s father sold a younger son to a
farmer for money to purchase food. Tragedy upon tragedy occur in this well
written and detailed novel. A plague kills most of the family and the orphaned
Zhu is taken to a Buddhist monastery where his life is still a struggle due to
the plague and political turmoil. He wears a lacquered box around his neck, a
small talisman given to him by his beloved grandfather who bestowed much wisdom
on the boy. The box serves as his constant remembrance of his family.
We part
on the road, mist rising in the air,
Around
the pavilion, leaves are now rare,
I sigh –
oh, how we differ from the wild geese,
When
they set off to travel, no one is left behind. (Bidding Elder Brother Goodbye)
A coming-of-age
book, we follow Zhu from childhood to young adulthood. He makes several lasting
friends that will later appear when he leaves the monastery. Along the way, he
learns from the monks to read and write, to study the stars and become a leader.
Cut it
doesn’t break,
Straightened,
it still tangles,
This
sorrow of separation,
It is no
ordinary flavor in the heart…
The
Lacquered Talisman is a rich, detailed look into 14th century China. Filled
with accurate descriptions of the poverty, military and political turmoil,
along with the religious customs, family congruity, respect for elders and dedication
to one’s parents, the book drew me in and held my interest. There are a lot of
details, but Laura Dennis presents them in a manner that I did not feel
overwhelmed. Her scholarship and research is astounding.
This
book deals with Zhu’s life from childhood into young adulthood. The prologue
and epilogue set the stage for the next book of Zhu’s adult life. I can’t wait
for it!
About the Author:
I am a
writer of historical fiction focused on the founding of China's Ming Dynasty.
Why fixate on something that happened over 600 years ago? The early 1300s, when
the Mongols ruled China, was an era of political crisis, lawlessness, and
natural disasters. (Sound familiar?!) Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋, who emerged out of a large cast
of contenders to claim the Dragon Throne, was one of the major figures in
Chinese history. He has been written about extensively in Chinese, including
fiction, drama, film, poetry, and more. And yet, his remarkable story is almost
unknown in the English-speaking world. I want to change that. Visit https://www.lauriedennis.com
The
Reviewer, Bill Mathis:
Bill
Mathis writes about diverse families, warts and all. His fourth novel will
publish in December of 2020. Follow him on Facebook—Bill Mathis Writer Etc or
his website: http://www.billmathiswriteretc.com.
Bill resides in Beloit, Wisconsin and is looking forward to traveling again
when it’s safe.
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