The Haunted Monastery
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| The Haunted Monastery | |
 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 |
| Publication date | 1961 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 196 pp (paperback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-226-84879-5 |
| Preceded by | The Chinese Nail Murders |
| Followed by | The Emperor's Pearl |
The Haunted Monastery is a detective novel written by Robert van Gulik and set in Imperial China (roughly 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.
The book contains eight illustrations by the author as well as a diagram of the Monastery where the action takes place.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
Judge Dee and his four aides are forced to take refuge in a strange Taoist monastery due to a terrible storm. While there, the chief abbot dies suddenly and Judge Dee thinks it was murder. When investigated the monastery proves to be filled with strange people, frightening statues, and young girls under duress.
[edit] Literary significance and criticism
"Some interesting sidelights on Confucian and Taoist beliefs emerge from this tale of corruption and murder in a monastery, where Judge Dee runs into considerable danger but ends up administering justice in a primitive way. Perhaps because it is short and somewhat huddled, this work does not remain in the memory as one of his best."[1]
[edit] On Screen
In 1974 the novel The Haunted Monastery was produced as a TV movie by Gerald Isenberg with the title Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders [1]. It was filmed with an all Asian cast (including Mako and James Hong). Writing was credited to Nicholas Meyer and Robert van Gulik. It was nominated for and Edgar Award, for Best Television Feature or Miniseries in 1975.
[edit] References
- ^ Barzun, Jacques and Taylor, Wendell Hertig. A Catalogue of Crime. New York: Harper & Row. 1971, revised and enlarged edition 1989. ISBN 0-06-015796-8
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