2 out of 4 stars
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Have you ever traveled to China, or perhaps would like to? Well, reading Li Bai’s Shadow by Lee J. Mavin is an inexpensive way to begin one’s journey. Marvin’s book sends readers to both modern day and Tang dynasty China, and many of his cultural references pique a novice interest in Chinese history and traditions. Although readers will undergo a spirited adventure, no adventure can compare to the one taken by the book’s main character.
Caitlin, an 18-year-old Aussie girl with OCD and a very grown-up imaginary friend, decides to use her father’s credit card to book a one-way trip to China. While fuming, and worried for her well-being, Caitlin’s father doesn’t realize that her invisible sidekick, the poet Li Bai, is more palpable than he perceives. Li Bai came to Caitlin when she was three, carried by the phenomena of an eclipse partnered with a magical wine. Although no one but Caitlin can see him, Li Bai is very much a real embodiment of the famous Chinese poet. With Li Bai and his poetry at her side, Caitlin does not feel frightened or alone on her journey.
Readers follow the unlikely pair through several mini-adventures after another eclipse sends Caitlin into Li Bai’s time where she becomes the invisible friend. Kudos to the author for portraying Li Bai (known as the Chinese Shakespeare) in such an amusing way that I was compelled to google and learn a bit about the poet for myself. The bawdy, cheerful and drunken imagery assigned to Li Bai made him irresistible and prompted my further inquiries.
Many of Mavin’s presentations of Chinese culture were intriguing enough to warrant a bit of self-investigation. I found myself researching the Giant Buddha, Li Bai’s poems and even a street food called baozi. If the author intended to attract interest to the Chinese culture, this book certainly succeeded on that front.
China’s vibrancy, however, was not enough to keep this book afloat. Many missing details confused me and even grew to bore as the story wore on. For example, Li Bai is unseen by anyone but Caitlin, but she is countlessly hugging him and handing him food. Mavin never describes what other’s see when she does this. Does it look like she’s hugging air? Does the food she gives him fall to the floor? I was also disappointed to find inconsistencies in Caitlin’s OCD tendencies. In most scenes, she is seen counting the seconds or the steps with absolute precision. In some places, however, she uncharacteristically mentions that they walk for “about an hour.”
I personally could not reread this book. Although Mavin tried to fill the story with provocative scenes, I was mostly bored and uninterested. The best things about this book are the cultural references, and sadly, Mavin did not create Chinese culture, so I won’t be attributing bonus points to him. After considering these disappointments along with the astonishing amount of errors, I am rating Li Bai’s Shadow 2 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book for those interested in starting a study of China or possibly even OCD. The book offers compelling tidbits with regard to these categories that are worth reading.
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Li Bais shadow
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