The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River

Brilliant illustrations and four stunning gatefold page spreads bring this beloved Chinese tale of a man's encounter with a water nymph to vibrant life

The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River is an ancient Chinese poem created by Cao Zhi, a writer living in the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period (c. 220-280 CE). In his tale, Cao Zhi is returning from the capital to his own land when he stops at the Luo River for a rest, where he sees a vision of the goddess so powerful that he instantly falls in love with her. Cao sees a nymph of peerless beauty "as elegant as a startled swan and supple as a swimming dragon". Though he's swept away by her ethereal beauty, it's a love that isn't meant to be. In this tale, alas, there can be no marriage between the earthly and heavenly realms. In a masterpiece of illustration, the young artist Ye Luying renders this tale's lavish world by combining traditional Chinese painting styles with a contemporary graphic-novel sensibility. With its high production values and amazingly-detailed-multi-page foldout spreads, this is a special book that will entice art lovers of all ages. Yu Zhiying's adaptation and the accompanying explanatory notes will provide readers with a fresh view of ancient Chinese culture.