FA
Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior
by Robert D. San Souci
Paperback from Hyperion
Media Published: 2000-03-02
ISBN: 043925969X
" A good swordsman should appear as calm as a fine lady, but he must
be capable of quick action like a surprised tiger," says a seasoned warrior
to Fa Mulan, unaware that the young soldier is in fact a woman. Award-winning
author Robert D. San Souci and Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng have created an
elegant, visually stunning retelling of the popular Chinese legend. When
Fa Mulan learns that her father has been drafted into Khan`s army to fight
the Tartars, she is shocked--her father is far too old and weak to go to
war. She forms a brave plan, which her family reluctantly accepts, and,
" At dawn she cut her hair short, put on her father`s armor, and fastened
his weapons to the horse`s saddle. " Fa Mulan is excited and afraid, and
soon finds herself engaged in fierce combat with the Tartars. She studies
the art of war, and becomes skilled with the sword. As her accomplishments
gain fame, she is called to appear before the Khan in the royal city of
Loyang. Fearing the discovery of her true gender, Mulan is anxious about
the consequences for her family. But she needn`t have worried; " `General,`
the Khan began, `you have served me well and have brought honor to your
family. Your deeds are enough to fill twelve books. I give you a thousand
strings of copper coins as a reward. What else do you wish? `" Relieved,
the woman warrior simply asks to go home. The noble story of this legendary
Chinese heroine has inspired poets, writers, artists, dramatists, and readers
worldwide for centuries. This particular retelling dates back to the earliest
versions of The Song of Mulan, probably composed during the Northern and
Southern Dynasties (A.D. 420 to A.D. 589) . San Souci`s carefully researched
interpretation of the ancient story is gentle, dramatic, and inspiring,
and the Tsengs` beautiful, expressive watercolor paintings, bordered top
and bottom like a Chinese scroll, are lovely. (Ages 7 and older) --Karin
Snelson
"A good swordsman should appear as calm as a fine lady, but he must
be capable of quick action like a surprised tiger," says a seasoned warrior
to Fa Mulan, unaware that the young soldier is in fact a woman. Award-winning
author Robert D. San Souci and Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng have created an
elegant, visually stunning retelling of the popular Chinese legend. When
Fa Mulan learns that her father has been drafted into Khan's army to fight
the Tartars, she is shocked--her father is far too old and weak to go to
war. She forms a brave plan, which her family reluctantly accepts, and,
"At dawn she cut her hair short, put on her father's armor, and fastened
his weapons to the horse's saddle."
Fa Mulan is excited and afraid, and soon finds herself engaged in fierce
combat with the Tartars. She studies the art of war, and becomes skilled
with the sword. As her accomplishments gain fame, she is called to appear
before the Khan in the royal city of Loyang. Fearing the discovery of her
true gender, Mulan is anxious about the consequences for her family. But
she needn't have worried; "'General,' the Khan began, 'you have served
me well and have brought honor to your family. Your deeds are enough to
fill twelve books. I give you a thousand strings of copper coins as a reward.
What else do you wish?'" Relieved, the woman warrior simply asks to go
home.
The noble story of this legendary Chinese heroine has inspired poets,
writers, artists, dramatists, and readers worldwide for centuries. This
particular retelling dates back to the earliest versions of The Song
of Mulan, probably composed during the Northern and Southern Dynasties
(A.D. 420 to A.D. 589). San Souci's carefully researched interpretation
of the ancient story is gentle, dramatic, and inspiring, and the Tsengs'
beautiful, expressive watercolor paintings, bordered top and bottom like
a Chinese scroll, are lovely. (Ages 7 and older) --Karin Snelson |
