DEVIL WIVES OF LI FONG

Rating:
Summary: Ian Myles Slater on Another Fine Fantasy of Medieval China
Review: "Devil Wives of Li Fong" is one of two fantasy novels set in medieval China and written near the end of E. Hoffmann Price's long career as a professional writer (he was a friend and contemporary of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard). Like "Jade Enchantress" the story combines a likeable but imperfect hero, beautiful women (often, but not always, of supernatural origin), and a fair amount of Chinese history and "local color." For example, antagonisms between Buddhists and Taoists are one of the driving forces behind events in "Devil Wives," while in "Jade Enchantress" government corruption and foreign war keep things moving. No prior knowledge is really necessary, although anyone who enjoys either of the books will probably want to find out more about the Celestial Hierarchy, Chinese demons, herbal medicine, and any number of other topics. "Devil Wives" seems rather closer to Chinese folk traditions, with local nature spirits running more of the show, but both combine Western and Eastern story-telling conventions.

Price, who emerged from the pulp fiction era of stock characterizations and ethnic stereotyping, tended to fall into these traps (albeit from a pro-Chinese perspective) even in his late science fiction. In "Jade Enchantress," the main focus is on Chinese characters and social roles and outsiders are seen through their eyes, so the alert reader is invited to interpret their perceptions as character development or plot devices instead of authorial opinions. (A similar technique was used by Robert van Gulik to portray Judge Dee in his series of mysteries in T'ang Dynasty China.) "Devil Wives" takes place in a more nearly completely Chinese setting, and some of these issues do not arise. It is a pity that Price did not write more such novels -- and that those he did write have not been kept in print.

Rating:
Summary: Adventures of the Snake Women
Review: This is a light, enjoyable tale about two snake demons who want to become human. The story begins when they have achieved human form as a reward for centuries of good works. In their quest to become fully human women, they meet and marry Li Fong, an apothecary's apprentice. The household prospers with the help of the snake-women's magic. Unfortunately, their domestic bliss is threatened by a dishonest Taoist magician and a misguided Buddhist priest . . . .

Price seems to have a rather stereotypical view of women that makes it obvious that the book was written in the 1970's (most likely for a male audience), and his characters tend to be somewhat flat. However, since the snake-women are not "real" women, it isn't too objectionable. I found myself more than willing to overlook any deficiencies in characterization in favor of the imaginative and entertaining plot.

Rating:
Summary: Adventures of the Snake Women
Review: This is a light, enjoyable tale about two snake demons who want to become human. The story begins when they have achieved human form as a reward for centuries of good works. In their quest to become fully human women, they meet and marry Li Fong, an apothecary's apprentice. The household prospers with the help of the snake-women's magic. Unfortunately, their domestic bliss is threatened by a dishonest Taoist magician and a misguided Buddhist priest . . . .

Price seems to have a rather stereotypical view of women that makes it obvious that the book was written in the 1970's (most likely for a male audience), and his characters tend to be somewhat flat. However, since the snake-women are not "real" women, it isn't too objectionable. I found myself more than willing to overlook any deficiencies in characterization in favor of the imaginative and entertaining plot.