The Willow Pattern (book)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 University of Chicago Press - 1997 |
|
| Author | Robert van Gulik |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Ed Lindlof |
| Series | Judge Dee |
| Genre(s) | Mystery, Detective Novel |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press |
| Released | 1965 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 179 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-226-84875-2 |
| Preceded by | The Monkey and the Tiger |
| Followed by | Murder in Canton |
The Willow Pattern is a detective novel written by Robert van Gulik and set in Imperial China (rougly speaking the Tang Dynasty). It is a fiction based on the real character of Judge Dee (Ti Jen-chieh or Di Renjie), a magistrate and statesman of the Tang court, who lived roughly 630–700.
As the author says in a postscript, the use of the Willow Pattern as a motife in the book was a conscious anachronism. The book features 15 illustrations by the author.
[edit] Plot introduction
Judge Dee is now a senior member of the Chinese government and has been appointed the Chief Judge in the Tang capital of Chang-An. One of the cities oldest, and most important aristocratic families becomes the subject of investigation. Three murders are committed and Judge Dee must find the connection.
