The Academician (Southern Swallow Bk 1) - Edward C Patterson

[PaperMoon]

I suppose one can label this work a gay historical at a stretch – but unlike many other such titles in the gay genre fiction ranks, this is not set in some Anglo-European country. Instead, the author takes us back almost a thousand years to the Sung Dynasty of 12th century ancient China where the Emperor is revered as a the son of heaven (i.e. a god incarnate) whose whims and fancies affect the lives and effect the demise of millions of subjects.

Given the academic credentials of the author Patterson, I was thoroughly impressed with his many detailed and in-depth descriptions of actual historical events as well the social mores and values of the ancient Chinese (the Han people), court proceedings and protocols, political intrigue, assassinations etc. The times of indeed perilous – ruthless local bandit armies rampage through the countryside decimating the peasants for food and supplies, the very real and impending invasion from the north by the barbaric Jurchen horsemen tribes.

Our hero scholar Li K'ai-men gets inducted into the rural politics of administrating a major regional city before being promoted to Grand Tutor to the ninth son of the current Sung emperor. Accompanying Li K'ai-men on his unfolding adventures and trials is his faithful attendant servant boy – Ko Ling, whose wry comments and observations book-end each chapter as a sort of retrospective ‘Greek chorus’ on what life-lessons are gleaned through the pains, joys, triumphs and horrific tragedies be-falling them. The gay aspect of the tale can be found in Li K'ai-men’s passionate and devoted love for another male scholar (despite following expected cultural traditions by marrying and siring a child) – how the members of his ménage-a-trio negotiate their living arrangements proved quite fascinating for me.

The author does not pull back from describing horrific torture and pillaging scenarios. The Jurchen invasion and decimation of the northern capital K'ai-feng was amply and well-drawn, but some balance is provided by humorous anecdotes and wry observations by the servant-boy Ko Ling as he goes about his master’s business.

Despite being a historical work on the whole, Patterson throws in some mystical / fantasy elements in the form of some sacred rites, objects and system of beliefs passed down from his mentor to Li K'ai-men. Passages allude to a portal briefly established between the then historical time and the modern day … which may forge links to another the prolific author’s many series of books (Jade Owl Legacy series).

To be honest, I’m not sure what instigated me to get this title. I was a little afraid that the historical elements would overwhelm the tale and get too staid / dry for my tastes. I was fortunately proven wrong and Patterson writes his characters and scenes so well that I've moved onto and read the two subsequent titles to this Southern Swallow series; I'm highly anticipating books 4 and 5 whenever they come available. I think this is an enjoyable way to learn more of my own racial and cultural history – although the many-part character names took some getting used to initially.