The Kite Rider

First edition (publ. OUP)

The Kite Rider is an award winning^[1] children's novel written by Geraldine McCaughrean.^[2]

Plot

The story, set in 13th century China, concerns a boy named Gou Haoyou. His father Gou Pei, a seaman, is forced to fly on a wind-testing kite by first mate Di Chou. Gou Pei is killed, and Great-uncle Bo, the head of the Gou family, arranges for Pei's beautiful widow, Qing'an, to marry Di Chou. Haoyou and his cousin, Mipeng, get rid of Di Chou, and in the process Haoyou flies on a wind testing kite. Miao Jie, who runs the Jade Circus, notices Haoyou's impressive feat, and offers him and Mipeng a position in the circus as a kite rider and Medium respectively.

Haoyou and Mipeng join the circus, and begin traveling to perform for the great Kublai Khan. Along the way they perform in various towns, become semi-famous, get along with Mongols, and Haoyou loses sight in one of his eyes in a crash. Haoyou nearly dies in a heroic act after performing for Kublai Khan.

Summary

A few days later, they hold a funeral for Gou Pei, where Haoyou's little sister Wawa shows a hollow-eyed young girl Haoyou's paper figures. When Wawa brings out one with a man on a kite, the guests and family members are shocked at that, and believe it is a bad omen, so they hurriedly leave.

References