Under Heaven

By: Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated by: Simon Vance

The award-winning historical fantasies of Guy Gavriel Kay have earned him international best seller status and placed his books atop his fans' must-have lists.

Under Heaven takes listeners to Tang dynasty China, where the son of an honored general has received an unheard of gift: 250 Sardian horses. But this is a prize men would, and will, kill for.

"History and fantasy rarely come together as gracefully as they do in the novels of Guy Gavriel Kay." (Washington Post Book World)

©2010 Guy Gavriel Kay (P)2010 Penguin Audio

For Lovers of Both Fantasy and Poetry

Every novel by Guy Gavriel Kay is GOLD. This is especially true of this novel if you ate both a fan of fantasy AND poetry. Fantastic.

Brilliant historical fantasy

"How historic is this 'historical fantasy'?" See the Ferghana horse Wikipedia page, or (after you're finished) look for a very familiar name in the list of rebellions and conflicts during the Tang Dynasty. If you've read Li Bai's poetry, or know of his life, you too may have to pause and punch the air when a certain warrior poet's words are mentioned. I once had the chance to ask Professor Buyandelger at MIT about Kay's description of shamanry tools and clothing on the steppes, and while she hadn't read the book, she said the use of mirrors in ritual was correct and a historical detail she was very surprised to hear about in what I'd described as a fantasy novel based closely on events in Tang Dynasty China. (She's an anthropologist from the region, and specifically studies the cultures there, including religious and spiritual practices that are still in the process of re-emerging after many years of suppression under USSR and other countries' policies.)

I mean, the characters and the setting are marvelous, too. This can be enjoyed as just a fantasy book without being particularly familiar with the time period—I read and enjoyed it in that state, but then became curious enough to pursue further knowledge of the time period. It's just a delightful peek into a rich and textured setting very different from my ordinary day-to-day.

A tale of ghosts and beautiful creatures!

I believe that Mr. Kay is one of the most talented writers of our time. He has a way of writing feelings into the story. I really am not the type to cry about anything, but when I think about Rain Song and the life she lived and how close it came for her to have a life together with Tye...that is the talent of Mr. kay. The description of what life was during this mirror image of long ago China, was incredibly realistic. Please read or listen to this book. You will not be disappointed!

Great story teller and narration

If like me you love story telling then these two can carry you to another world with the best of them.

A wonderful intersection between history and myth

Beautifully written, intensely expressive and haunting, Under Heaven feels like a homeric myth straight from Ancient China. Guy does it again!

So gripping!

Intensely exciting and very well written. Well defined characters. Couldn't stop listening. Awesome narrator. Highly recommended.

Enchanting tale - that could have been told over many nights around the caravan

This is a book you can sink into and enjoy. It weaves together history, adventure, war, romance and philosophy

Beauty of language, engaging tale, bardlike performance

Lyrically written this was a joy to read and to listen. It introduced both a new culture and history to me. I've spent many a happy hour since reading up on the Tang Dynasty (Wikipedia is totally confusing, maybe Grok will be better,) on the Four Beauties of China, the An Lushan Rebellion, and the recent biography by Ha Jin called "The Banished Immortal, A Life of Life Bai." This has become a much loved novel I've returned to repeatedly, and I'm not much of a rereader.

A beautiful book

Like all of Guy Gavriel Kay’s books, Under Heaven continues the tradition of beautifully written historical fiction. The characters were well developed, and the plot is intricate and entertaining.

What an extraordinary book.

One of my favourite authors. My favourite narrator. He catches the richness and subtly of the writing, the characters’ emotions. A story of ancient China told through the characters’ eyes and experiences. The lives of the poor and the common alongside the intrigues of the court and of nations. Beautiful.