Currently, she and her husband live in Vancouver, Canada. Chang has lived in the Philippines, Iran, Thailand, and New Zealand. Her second book, Dragon Springs Road, became a best seller. The Library of Legends is truly a story that will mesmerize readers.Ĭhang’s first novel, Three Souls, became a finalist for the 2014 BC Book Prizes. Chang weaves in the historical truth with the ancient Chinese legends to fashion a complete story. Part of that enchantment centers on a story from the Library of Legends, “The Willow Star and the Prince.” Moving the Library of Legends creates another story as the immortals and guardian spirits awaken. I found myself immersed in the story including the parts about the immortals. Readers will have many questions which will all be answered satisfactorily by the end of the book.Īuthor Kate Quinn describes Janie Chang’s writing “as pure enchantment!” I would agree. Lian, Shao, and Sparrow decide they must part from the group and make their way alone to Shanghai.Ĭhang includes enough mystery to keep readers turning pages to see what happens next. Later, another Communist sympathizer is arrested.
She fears what will happen to her if anyone learns her secret.Īlong the way, one classmate, a Communist advocate, is murdered.
Lian’s family secret including the fact that she and her mother have changed their names following Lian’s father’s untimely death haunts her too. Lian learns she cannot trust everyone in the group, but knowing whom to trust is also difficult. The constant threat of bombs by the Japanese and fear of encountering Japanese soldiers on the roads creates a great deal of tension.Ĭhang keeps the story moving with intrigue within the group and by inserting stories about the immortals. Lian’s mother is also supposed to be in Shanghai, so Lian desperately wants to find her. The students and professors hope to go to Shanghai and safety. They are helping the university professors save the Library of Legends, books about the ancient myths of China, by smuggling the books out of harm in the students’ backpacks. We focus on Hu Lian, the narrator, and her companions Liu Shaoming, called Shao, and his maidservant Sparrow. The Library of Legends opens in 1937 with a group of university students fleeing from Minghua University in Nanking as Japanese planes bomb the city. Change weaves the legends into her modern story seamlessly. The stories she learned as child are complete with encounters with dragons, ghosts, and immortals. Since Janie Chang grew up hearing old stories her family told of life in a Chinese village, she pulls those stories from the past to write mesmerizing fiction today.
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