Scan barcode
mweenink's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
paul_cornelius's review against another edition
4.0
Quite nice set of eight very different type stories from Van Gulik. Making use of the short story format meant that these tales about Judge Dee had to forego Van Gulik's usual intricate plotting and detailed layout he employed in the Judge Dee novels. Instead, the stories are richly filled with atmosphere and sense of place, which, in the novels I've read so far, often take a backseat to the procedures of Dee's case work. Not only that, but the places in which the stories take place differ, as they are spread out over provinces and towns Dee moves to over the course of his career. Perhaps the most interesting aspect, however, is how Van Gulik presents Dee's growing frailty and vulnerability over time.
halfcentreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
A collection of stories based on the real life ancient China Magistrate. Clever whodunits.
A collection of stories based on the real life ancient China Magistrate. Clever whodunits.
quynh23's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
johncrwarner's review against another edition
5.0
This was my "tram reading" recently - in other words I read it in ten minute stretches to and from town. It was ideal for this purpose being made up of 8 short stories over 174 pages.
I encountered Judge Dee in the translation by Robert van Gulik of :狄公案 (di gong an) "The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee" an 18th century novel about a famous Tang Dynasty judge called Di Renjie (狄仁杰)
Very enjoyable though there were anachronisms in the text as there were in the 18th century novel he'd translated. I believe the cases were taken from a Song or Ming Dynasty handbook of cases.
A nice easy read.
I encountered Judge Dee in the translation by Robert van Gulik of :狄公案 (di gong an) "The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee" an 18th century novel about a famous Tang Dynasty judge called Di Renjie (狄仁杰)
Very enjoyable though there were anachronisms in the text as there were in the 18th century novel he'd translated. I believe the cases were taken from a Song or Ming Dynasty handbook of cases.
A nice easy read.
More...