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The Master

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Master tells the extraordinary story of Zhuang Zhou, born in fifth century BCE China, a time of vibrant turmoil and ceaseless warfare. Born into privilege yet rejecting official roles, Zhuang embarks on journeys among common folk, learning the values of simplicity and purpose. His life unfolds as a poetic and sometimes humorous bildungsroman, introducing a cast of vivid characters and culminating in his legacy as one of Taoism's greatest philosophers, celebrated through the foundational text Zhuangzi.
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Format: Hardback
$4699
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction intertwined with philosophical reflection, especially those fascinated by ancient China and Taoist teachings.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The extraordinary life of Zhuang Zhou sits halfway between fable and philosophy.

“It was twenty-five centuries ago in the land of Song, between the Yellow River and the River Huai: Zhuang Zhou was born without a cry with his eyes wide open.”

Welcome to China in the fifth century BCE, a colourful, violent, unstable world into which Zhuang is born. Here, royals raise huge armies, constantly waging wars against one another. They have slaves, concubines. Gold is everywhere. And so is hunger.

Born rich and entitled, Zhuang learns to refuse any official function. His travels bring him closer to ordinary people, from whom he learns how to live a simple and useful life. This is how he will become one of the greatest Chinese philosophers who gave his name to his legendary book, the Zhuangzi, one of the two foundational texts of Taoism—a magnificent procession of lively stories in which we meet dwarfs, virtuous bandits, butchers, powerful lords in their castles, turtles, charming concubines, and false sages.

In this remarkable bildungsroman, award-winning French novelist Patrick Rambaud spins out the extraordinary life of Zhuang Zhou—a poetic, cruel, and often humorous tale, halfway between fable and philosophy.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781803090627

Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 05 June 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Seagull Books London Ltd

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 6.0mm

Height: 9.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 212

About the Author

Patrick Rambaud is a French writer who won the Prix Goncourt, France’s most prestigious literary prize, for his historical novel The Battle. He founded the iconic French journal Actuel. David Ball is an award-winning translator. Nicole Ball is an award-winning translator of English and French.

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