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159th out of 195 books
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17 voters
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Dragon Bones (Red Princess #3)
by
Lisa See (Goodreads Author)
In a magnificent land where myth mixes treacherously with truth, one woman is in charge of telling them apart. Liu Hulan is the Inspector in China’s Ministry of Public Security whose tough style rousts wrongdoers and rubs her superiors the wrong way. Now her latest case finds her trapped between her country’s distant past and her own recent history.
The case starts at a ral...more
The case starts at a ral...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
December 1st 2009
by Ballantine Books
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I've always loved early Chinese culture, and adore many of the more popular "current" novels. (The Good Earth Trilogy, Amy Tan's books,) but I've just discovered Lisa See, and I have to say that her books are phenomenal. I
ve been doing a lot of in depth study on the practice of footbinding, and it's development as a perception of beauty in Chinese tradition. You can actually find current photos of footbound women, since the practice continued despite government protest, in the mo...more
ve been doing a lot of in depth study on the practice of footbinding, and it's development as a perception of beauty in Chinese tradition. You can actually find current photos of footbound women, since the practice continued despite government protest, in the mo...more
The back cover promsies "an extraordinarily rich novel" in which "myth mixes treacherously with truth." And, indeed, this is what See delivers. As a reader, you really feel the setting. See avoids easy political shots, taking a more nuanced (and interesting) approach than some might. The murder & mayhem got nasty, but the details are presented as they must be to move the story along, without sliding into the pornography of violence that is common in many thrillers/mysteries; ...more
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After reading (and thoroughly enjoying) Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy, it wasn't hard to pick up Lisa See's Dragon Bones at the library, and be willing to give it a try.
Having not previously read the first two books in the series (not knowing it was a series!), was not an insurmountable challenge, as See writes an immediately gripping thriller of smuggling, politics, and cultural clashes set in 21st century China, shortly after the repatriation of Hong Kong. See does such a wond...more
Having not previously read the first two books in the series (not knowing it was a series!), was not an insurmountable challenge, as See writes an immediately gripping thriller of smuggling, politics, and cultural clashes set in 21st century China, shortly after the repatriation of Hong Kong. See does such a wond...more
This book is written by an author I really admire. It is the third book in a series that involves Liu Hulan. It is set in China and Liu is sent to investigate the deaths of some people at an archaeological dig site. I really had to think while reading this book as many things that the author describes were not familiar to me.
I very much enjoyed this mystery set in China. I always enjoy books more if there is something to learn in them and this one definitely met my needs in that regard. The main characters are a married couple: liu Hulan who is a "Red Princess" and a police inspector in Beijing who was educated as a lawyer in the US. Her husband is an American lawyer who lives and practices in Beijing. The crime they are asked to solve involves the death of an American student who is working as an int...more
Archaeological mystery that I could not put down. Race to save the ancient Chinese artifacts before flooding the Chinese landscape. One more time, Lisa See's research is thorough and accurate. I became even more fascinated when I looked up the dig site on line.
I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed every one. I love the strong sense of place and all the interesting info about life in China. This one focuses on the Three Gorges Dam project and the archaeological work hurriedly being done before sites are lost forever after the dam is complete. Fascinating stuff about shady dealings involving cultural artifacts, giant fungi and complex cave systems. I was a little surprised by the timeline between this book and the one before--s...more
This book was really more like 3.5 stars. After reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I was not expecting a detective/mystery story. That is what Dragon Bones is--a mystery book with Chinese history, politics, and legends woven in. At times, it was a bit boring, but at other times, it flew right through interesting sections without going into enough detail. Although some of the book was predictable, I think the rest was written well enough where you weren't 100% sure which way things would...more
thoroughly enjoyable international thriller novel. great history/cultural details. I thought the murder details were unnecessarily grisly. but it was definitely a great follow up to the other two books in the series. her plots are very inventive I think and as one writer wrote on the back "documentary social detail that reeks of freshly raked muck." All of her books are flawed and only borderline believable but they are so interesting I don't care. I like mysteries that teach me someth...more
I picked this up because I've read some of her other books, but was intrigued by this one because it is a mystery (a series, to be exact) and it has to do with the Three Gorges Dam and the Yangtze River and all of the issues related to that (displaced people, engineering feat, lost archaeological artifacts, etc.). It exceeded my expectations and now I want more!! I didn't realize that I picked up the 3rd book in the Red Princess Mystery Series, so I went and ordered the others. I'm now on a L...more
Dragonbones, by Lisa See, A-minus. Narrated by Liza Ross, produced by Isis, downloaded from audible.
This is actually a mystery, including murders that combines greed from various sources. It involves archeologists at a dig, some of whom are willing to sell artifacts; unscrupulous art dealers, who also want the artifacts to sell; the Chinese government, which wants these artifacts preserved and kept in China, and a religious cult fostered by a man who exploits the people of china to ...more
This is actually a mystery, including murders that combines greed from various sources. It involves archeologists at a dig, some of whom are willing to sell artifacts; unscrupulous art dealers, who also want the artifacts to sell; the Chinese government, which wants these artifacts preserved and kept in China, and a religious cult fostered by a man who exploits the people of china to ...more
I have come to really enjoy Lisa See's books. This is the second one I have read. (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan being the other one.) Both book are set in China - Snow Flower in the 19th century and Dragon Bones in the early part of the 21st century. Dragon Bones is a "Red Princess" mystery. This mystery is set along the Yangzi River and also explores a number of the issues relating to the controversial Three Gorges Dam construction as well as some of the current political and social...more
Nice mystery. I liked the background of the Three Gorges Dam and the removal of the people behind the dam, who have been there for generations unknown. A little story of the local man from Bashan who had taken government money to move to some far frontier area, found out what it would cost to dig a well and came back and the old lady who guarded the back gate at the Panda guest house who could not conceive of leaving are indications of the what the government faced.
Well-paced, well-researched, smart mystery set in China in 2002 but ranging far and wide in its cultural and historical introduction to the country. Its detectives are Liu Hulan, the "red princess" of the series title, an inspector for the Ministry of National Security in Beijing, and her husband, American attorney David Stark, and the bulk of the action takes place in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River where the greatest dam in history is being constructed.
Although there were numerous references to the term "Red Princess," I finished the book (Kindle edition) without ever understanding what it truly meant. This is because I have not read the stories that are obviously precursors to this murder mystery. I don't know if Lisa See's writing is quite as beautiful when it attempts to describe modern relationships that are mundane. There is a huge disconnect here between the author and her main protagonist, so that the reader ends up also re...more
I love the Lisa See books, but this was the first I have read of her InspectorHulan mystery series. A very good read. Especially for me - since understanding the Chinese Culture in which my granddaughter lives is important to me. I always learn! [Gosh, I never should have refused that cup of tea from the other grandmother! I thought I was saying 'don't bother about me.' But clearly I was breaching etiquette!]
Renee Burcham
added it
Loved this book. Everything that I want in a book rolled into one: Chinese history, mystery, murder, political intrigue, cults,archaeology, fiction mixed with truth.
It helps if you already have a working knowledge of past and present Chinese history in order to really enjoy and understand this book. It also helps if you can read Pinyin.
It helps if you already have a working knowledge of past and present Chinese history in order to really enjoy and understand this book. It also helps if you can read Pinyin.
A real page-turner. So much of a page-turner that I turned some of them without fully understanding all of the intrigues, and it's entirely possible that some of the intrigues didn't make a darn bit of sense. Still, I always give props to a book that makes me keep reading to find out what happened, and this one accomplished that.
I really like the novels that Lisa See writes. As the back cover of this book states "Mixing history, myths, and current events" plus a bit of mystery makes a very interesting and hard to put down story. This is the third novel that I have read with inspector Lisa Hulan and her husband attorney David Stark as the protagonists.
This book wasn't as good as See's Snowflake and the Secret Fan because this book was told in the present. A murder/mystery involving history from the deepest parts of China's past, good read, But I enjoy her memoirs better. I would recommend if you enjoy learning about history, especially the Chinese culture.
This one is different than other Lisa See books ... set in modern-day China it's a murder mystery. Think it's part of a series because the husband/wife team (main characters) have back story that keeps cropping up. Doesn't really affect this book tho' ... but not sure it's one of her best. The setting is an archeological dig so I liked that aspect, but not sure if I'd bother reading more along this storyline.
Dragon Bones is a thriller and mystery set in modern day China. The protagonist works for the Chinese government as a detective. It was interesting and fun reading due to the setting and the historic background. Lisa See researches her books carefully and is an excellent author.
Lisa See is very readable. I read all three mysteries in sequence and cared about the characters. In addition, while in China we traveled on the Yangtze River through the 3 gorges. this made the book all the more real. I believe that she does due diligence on the research of her books.
Great mix of historical fiction, Chinese history, Chinese fable, murder mystery and touches of relgion vs. cult vs. politics. The writing was smooth and flowed, and will definitely search out other novels by this author (esp. since this one seems to be in the middle of a series).
My daughter recommended this (although I note she hasn't read it!) I am not a mystery reader but certainly enjoyed the descriptions of China, Yantzee River, and ancient Chinese philosophy. I figured out the prime suspect early but not the convoluted involement of that person.
Didn't like this as much as her other book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Paints an interesting portrait of China, and the storyline is gripping... however there were a few scenes of brutality (since it's a murder investigation) that were too graphic for my tasted.
This book was recommended (among others) as a good book to read before going on the Viking Cruise to China. It seems to have been a perfect recommendation. The book is set in 2003, in the days before the massive Three Gorges dam on the Yangzi River is completed. Detective Liu Hulan and her husband David are sent to investigate a murder which has taken place on a site where they are excavating antiquities prior to the flooding of the area, and theft of some of those antiquities. Not only is i...more
This book is probably a fun, well-written read, but I couldn't continue past the first few pages. Gory violence, with a small child in serious physical and emotional danger...sorry, can't do it, especially when it's right up front before a context is established.
Thrilling!! Gives more Insight into the world's largest dam, as well as enticingly scratches the surface of: the origin of Chinese language; Chinese thought on domestic control and global political dominance; and, among other things, archeological treasures.
This book was very different than the two previous books I had read by this author. It was a mystery with characters that had depth. The topic of the book reflects a real concern about museums and collectors taking away antiquities from their country of origin. The secret society led by a sadistic Chinese-American was a bit of a stretch for me. Overall it was well written and an interesting read
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Mega-Mara...: Dragon Bones | 1 | 6 | Jan 28, 2012 01:43pm | |
| Cushing Academy S...: The intersection of human nature and the natural world | 1 | 2 | Aug 16, 2011 07:19pm | |
| China novels | 1 | 19 | Jan 08, 2008 09:56am |
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Lisa See is a Chinese-American author. Her books include Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005), Dragon Bones, and On Gold Mountain. She was named the 2001 National Woman of the Year, by the Organization of Chinese American Women. She lives in Los Angeles.
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