In this stunning novel based loosely on the life of the author's grandfather, an embroiderer in the court of the last king of Vietnam in the early 1900s, Kien Nguyen reimagines his grandfather's amazing story to weave a tapestry of his own.
Dan Nguyen is seven years old when he marries a woman twenty years his senior. More mother than wife, Ven takes care of Dan until the day he leaves his childhood forever - when he witnesses his father's brutal beheading at the hands of the power-hungry mayor. In order to protect Dan until he is old enough to defend his father's honour, Ven hides him as a servant in the house of the enemy, where he falls in love with the one person he can never have - the mayor's beautiful granddaughter, Tai May. Dan's journey from child to slave to embroiderer in the Royal Court, where he has the chance to win Tai May's heart, is a story of spellbinding drama, intrigue, and an unforgettable love affair.
- 'A mesmerising tale of love and honour, horrors and cruelty, magic and mystery' WASHINGTON TIMES
- ‘A fablelike tale set in turn-of-the-century Vietman offers intrigue, revenge, a treasure map, and undying love, in a sprawling confection’ KIRKUS
- 'A daringly complex and vividly imagined debut novel…The scope of the tale and its grace and power make this a formidable first novel.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Paperback:
£7.99
Published 01/04/2004
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