Oracle Bones
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Summary
Spanning decades and crossing perils and intrigues, in the moment moonlight pierces the dome of the underground palace, Yang Mingtiao finally understands that the city itself is the greatest oracle bone—all living beings are cracks carved by the ancients, and the true treasure house lies deep underground where the man in black keeps watch.
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Shang dynasty history or oracle bone script, who can gain rich cultural knowledge from it
- Lovers of historical suspense, as the plot is tight and full of decoding elements
- Readers hoping to explore the roots of Chinese civilization, as the book reflects deeply on history and inheritance
- Readers who prefer works combining literary quality with research, as the author's narrative is rigorous and imaginative
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking pure entertainment or fast-paced stories, as this book is slower and focuses on detail
- Those with no interest in ancient history, who may find it hard to engage with the cultural background
Reading tips
- It helps to learn some basics of Shang history or oracle bone script first to better understand the plot.
- Slow down while reading and savor the historical details and literary descriptions.
- Use the notes or reference materials at the end of the book to deepen your understanding of the themes.
About the publisher
Founded in 1996, Henan Literature and Art Publishing House mainly publishes books on literature and art, social sciences and broadly cultural subjects, and also edits and publishes the journal Celebrity Biography, gradually forming a publishing style characterized by full-length historical novels and biographical literature. Judging from the 269 titles in the database, its publishing scope also covers mystery and detective fiction, foreign literature, classic works and world classics. Representative books include Ellery Queen's four tragedies, Slaughterhouse-Five, Blindness, The Siege of Lisbon, The History of the Siege of Lisbon, the ten-volume Collected Works of Wang Zengqi, Old Tales Retold and the two-volume Classic Short Stories of Stanisław Lem, the God of Science Fiction. In terms of authors, it includes foreign masters such as Kurt Vonnegut, José Saramago and Ellery Queen, as well as translators such as Yang Xi, Yu Jianhua and Fan Weixin.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 第一章 洹河水边的殷墟
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
- 第二章 挂着盾牌的墙下闪过王的影子
- 第三章 夜色下的安阳
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
- 第四章 古寺里的三折画
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 第五章 获麟解
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
- 第六章 在南方的征旅上
- 第七章 在洹河的北岸
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
- 六
- 七
- 第八章 寻找消失的星座
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 第九章 沉沦之城
- 第十章 逃亡
- 第十一章 牧野之战
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
- 尾声
- 后记 梦境和叠影
- 修订版自序
FAQ
Is Oracle Bones a real historical record or a fictional novel?
Do I need to learn oracle bone script in advance to understand this book?
Is this book suitable for young readers?
Comments
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About the author
Chen He: public information is limited, and at present only one work, Oracle Bone, is known. Judging from its common classification, Oracle Bone is categorized as a social novel, suggesting that the work may be set against the backdrop of real society, focusing on relationships between people and between people and their environment, with a certain orientation toward social observation and realism. Because information such as the author's biography, nationality, dates of birth and death, and English name is not found in the available records, it is difficult to give a fuller account of his creative trajectory. Based on the existing clues, Chen He's writing centers mainly on social themes, presenting an understanding of and reflection on real life in novel form. Readers who wish to learn more about his style may begin with Oracle Bone and observe his narrative approach and concerns within the genre of the social novel.
