About the Book
A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was.
World Fantasy Award: Best Novel winner (1985).
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature: Best Novel winner (1986).
THE ROOT OF THE QUEST
When the children of his village
were struck with a mysterious illness, Number Ten Ox sought a wiseman
to save them. He found master Li Kao, a scholar with a slight flaw in
his character. Together they set out to find the Great Root of Power,
the only possible cure.
The quest led them to a host of truly memorable
characters, multiple wonders, incredible adventures – and strange
coincidences which were really not coincidences at all. And it involved
them in an ancient crime that still perturbed the serenity of Heaven.
Simply and charmingly told, this is a wry tale, a sly tale, and a story
of wisdom delightfully askew. Once read, its marvels and beauty will
not easily fade from the mind.
The author claims that this is a novel of an ancient China that never was. But, oh... it should have been!
