Treason by the Book (Magill’s Literary Annual 1991-2005)
At a glance:
- Author: Jonathan D. Spence
- First Published: 2001
- Type of Work: Novel
- Time of Work: 1728-1736
- Setting: China
- Principal Characters: Emperor Yongzheng, Yue Zhongqi, Zhang Xi, Zeng Jing, Lu Liuliang, Quinlong
- Genres: Long fiction, Historical fiction
- Subjects: Asia or Asians, Eighteenth century, Kings, queens, or royalty, Conspiracies or conspirators, China or Chinese people, Treason, Heads of state
- Locales: China
Renowned Yale University historian Jonathan D. Spence, one of the greatest contemporary sinologists, uses the form of the novel to tell this riveting true story. In characteristic spy novel structure, Spence discloses bit by bit what at first seems an insignificant story. Although somewhat interesting, at the onset the reader wonders why he has bothered to construct a whole book out of such a paltry incident. It takes a while to catch on to the fact that there is a lot more going on in the scrupulously researched Treason by the Book than initially meets the eye. It is not until...
[The entire page is 1821 words long]
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