Marguerite Yourcenar's collection of short tales takes place in China, Greece, the Balkans and Japan, among other places, and draws on legend and folklore. The opening story, "How Wang-Fo Was Saved," is about an old painter and his disciple condemned by an emperor. Other stories deal with love, sacrifice and the line between art and reality, written in elegant, concentrated prose.
It is for readers of French literary short fiction who like fables with a philosophical edge. The stories are brief and can be read separately, so you can begin with the first and judge for yourself.
Thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1978
- Publisher
- Gallimard
- Language
- FR
