(no subject)

I have discovered the existence of a book (novel, US writer, I believe) about Anne Boleyn, a suicidal street girl, and angels.

And have, naturally, created a poll for it at lj.

manhua: The History of the West Wing

This short, single-volume manhua is based on what I understand is a very popular Chinese play. The play is 21 acts in 5 parts, though I’m nor familiar enough with Chinese theatre to know just how that translates in terms of length. I suspect, though, that it’s much more story than can be properly covered in roughly 120 pages with a lot of focus on how the art is OMG PRETTY! And the art is very OMG PRETTY!

Chen Yuqing is a scholar who has been wandering China aimlessly since a romantic disappointment five years ago. During his travels, he learns about a beautiful girl all the local men are fascinated by. The girl, Pianpian, is the minister’s daughter and is staying at the same temple as Chen with her mother, and they meet and quickly fall in love, assisted by her maid, but are hindered by a mountain bandit in love with Pianpian, as well as her fiancé, who has a past with Chen. There’s also the fact that her mother doesn’t exactly consider a wandering scholar a suitable match for her daughter.

The book is enjoyable and the characters likable, but it’s far too short for the characters, story, or romance to really develop. It mostly made me curious about the full version, which I understand has way more hijinks and a bunch of illicit running around.