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Of fish and dragons, of angels and demons.
Ugliness and vileness
Nobility and tolerance"
Award-winning poet Xiuyu's musical background shines through in this beautiful collection of lyrical poetry. Drawing on her life experiences and travels, the author uses vivid imagery to explore the human experience and paint pictures of Chinese scenery and Australian landscapes. Written in both Chinese and English and interspersed with drawings and scenic photographs, this book offers an international worldview and cultural authenticity. "The Longest and Shortest Distance" compares a summer night's sky in Brisbane to the blue of the sea, while "Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter in Half a Century" captures the majesty of the Helan Mountains. "Travelling Through Time" explores China's rich dynastic history, depicting the beauty and constancy of nature and its power to evoke memories of a loved one's essence. By contrast, "Just Like..." portrays nature's constant state of flux and the ever-changing theater of life.
Lovers of poetry will appreciate Xiuyu's emotive writing style and masterful ability to draw readers into her world. For example, "An Indigo Farewell" opens with the fluttering ponytails and dazzling smiles of youth, quickly followed by the stark contrast of an indelible ink blue memory marking the sorrowful departure from childhood innocence. In "That's A..." Xiuyu writes, "That's a man with a mean soul. With a heart of a serpent and a mouth like honey..." Whether describing heart-flutter-inducing love or mean-spirited villains, Xiuyu creates relatable characters and scenarios that elicit a passionate response. Touching on themes of familial relationships, romantic love, the beauty of nature, and the volatility of the human condition, Xiuyu delivers a powerful collection of poems with moods that range from practical to spiritual to fantastical. She demonstrates an exquisitely rare artistry that is uniquely her own.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review