TAMING POISON DRAGONS

Book ID/图书代码： 05430010B41190

English Summary/英文概要： Western China, 1196. Yun Cai, a handsome and adored poet in his youth, is now a bitter old man, exiled to his family estates.

However, ‘poison dragons’ of misfortune shatter his orderly existence. First, Yun Cai’s village is threatened with destruction by a vicious civil war. His wayward son, a brutal officer loyal to a rebel warlord, seems determined to ruin his entire family. Meanwhile, Yun Cai struggles to free an old friend, P’ei Ti, from a hellish prison – no easy task when P’ei Ti is the rebels’ most valuable hostage. Throughout these ordeals, he is drawn irresistibly to memories of his exciting youth – and above all, to a great love he won and lost. His love for the beautiful singing girl, Su Lin, cost his freedom. It almost cost his life.

Taming Poison Dragons brings to life a vanished world through vivid settings and utterly convincing dialogue. A rich cast of characters – malicious politicians and vindictive relatives, soldiers and spies, loyal friends and faithless lovers – weave through Yun Cai’s startling journey towards self-knowledge, and ultimately, self-respect. Books available. World English: Myrmidon Books

Chinese Summary/中文概要： 他以一個外國人的視角與領悟，講述發生在別國的數百年前的故事;以行雲流水般的詩意文風，撐起了男主人公跌宕起伏的傳奇一生。對那個時代人們的思想和行為，他飽含理解。對那個時代特有的鐵馬戎戈、兵荒馬亂，他深刻洞悉。
這部作品偉大之處在于，作者從未到過中國，而是從喜愛的中國古典詩歌中嗅到關於那個年代的蛛絲馬跡，爾後潛心研究，完成此作。然而這部作品作品的最偉大之處則在於，作者從未到過中國，只因喜歡中國古典詩歌，然而卻能在作品中對那些典故和歷史感極強的情節畫面信手拈來，運用的恰到好處，令人欽佩，實屬難得。

故事講述的是宋朝慶元年間的一位名叫蔡雲的年邁老人回憶早期在京城臨安的生活，回憶中充滿懊悔。他本是一青年才俊，酷喜詩歌，備受愛戴，但由於脾氣暴躁，還有與美貌歌女的多情往事導致被驅逐。
先是西北部的沙漠，然後又被放逐到更為偏遠的中國西部山區。終日陪伴他的是孤獨無助卻又無能為力的遺憾、軟弱的兒子、潑辣的兒媳還有似乎永無休止的戰亂。
這位年事已高的老人如何面對這些痛苦的磨難？又是什麼喚回了他應對這些磨難的勇氣和智慧？(Claire)

Awards/获奖情况：

About the Author/作者介绍： Tim Murgatroyd is an English teacher who lives with his family in York. He has remained fascinated by ancient China since his teens, when he discovered a slim volume of Chinese poetry in a second hand bookshop. Taming Poison Dragons is his first novel. He is currently engaged in writing a sequel chronicling the turbulent events of the Mongol invasion of China.
Tim Murgatroyd是一名英語教師，與家人一起居住在紐約。因少年時閱讀中國古典詩歌而深深迷戀上古代中國。Taming Poison Dragons是他第一本小說。 Breaking Bamboo是這本小說的續集。均是以中國宋朝時期為背景而撰寫的小說。

Format:HARDCOVER

Rights Status/版权销售情况：Simplified Chinese/简体中文：AVAILABLE(到期可授)

Complex/Traditional Chinese/繁体中文：AVAILABLE

Sales in other countries/其他国家销售情况：

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