Patrick Atangan
Silk Tapestry and Other Chinese Folktales (2004)
Author: Patrick Atangan
Genre: Graphic Novel (Fantasy)
Plot Summary:
This book contains three Chinese fables, each with a message and interesting characters. The first story is a creation myth. Pan-Gu is an old man who creates the world with the hope that other humans will join him. He lives and dies alone but humankind is created from his blood when he dies. The second story is about an old woman who is given a silk cloth by the river spirit whom she helps when it is wounded. If the frail, elderly woman can sew it into a tapestry before she dies, her fondest dream will come true. The final story is about a boy whose paintings come alive. Lap-Xuong comes to the notice of the greedy Dowager Empress who has him kidnapped. The little boy uses his magic ability to escape the Empress and get back to his family. There are actually a number of interpretations for these folktales. Each one can have a meaning all its own and this can vary by reader. Also, all three can be seen as having the theme of artists struggling to create in a hostile world. The tone of the first two stories is definitely dark but the last one has bit of humor to it as well as a hint of sadness. This is a book of fables. They are meant to teach lessons, not necessarily uplife the reader.
Geographical Setting: China
Time Period: Ancient times
Series: Songs of Our Ancestors, Volume II
Appeal Characteristics:
Many reviews praise the artwork, and I'm inclined to agree. The muted earth tones are pleasing. The detailed, flowing, intricate lines enrich the viewing experience without confusing the eye. The style reflects the Chinese manner of art using traditional forms and lines. It is this copying of the traditional that Publishers Weekly states is "just the usual Western take on 'exotic' Asia." I disagree. It is just this type of traditional Chinese style of art that lends the proper look to these fables and enhances their 'Chinese-ness'. The reader can review the stories multiple times, each time noticing some other aspect of the art that pleases and impresses. To the Western reader, this art is perfect to illustrate these Chinese fables. Also appealing are the fact that these are philosophical tales with lessons to teach. It is intriguing to see how the author adapts these Chinese stories to the Western audience so that the message remains. The art work however is the most striking aspect of the book.
Read-alikes: Volume I and Volume III in this same series by the same author would satisfy the reader for the same reasons. First, Asian cultures are explored. Two, the author uses the style of art appropriate for each of the books sources: The Yellow Jar: Two Tales from Japanese Tradition, Songs of Our Ancesters, Vol. I and The Tree of Love, Songs of Our Ancestors, Vol. III which is tales from India. The former contains stories about a fisherman who marries a sea princess but loses her through his own actions and must win her back and about a monk whose unhappy when two lady-like flowers invade his garden, only they turn out to be more than he thinks they are. Third, Asian folktales are adapted to a Western audience and also have a philosophical tone, like this book. The Missing White Dragon by Young Ha Park also presents Asian folktales with attractive illustration. However, whereas Silk is muted earth tones with solid, black lines, Dragon appears to be light and airy drawings done in water colors. This book has a number of stories in it. One is about star-crossed lovers who almost do not find each other. Another story is about a magician who is loved by his fairy assistant but who is wooing someone else. Seven volumes, by Andy Seto, of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon might interest those who like Chinese storytelling. While this is not strickly fables, it does capture many of the mores and philosophies of that culture. Here dramatic art work uses bold strokes and vivid colors, which is different than the other books mentioned. These volumes follow various vignettes of the characters introduced in the novel of the same name. This provides more of a theme in these books than in the others, which are unrelated tales. Readers need to be aware that this last book is action-packed, not the philosophical tone of the others.
Red Flags: Only one of the three stories has a happy ending. Main characters in the first two tales die.
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