What happens when you do the right thing for you? The Law of Attraction states you will find yourself in a state of harmony with the universe that will bring good things to you. I know Guy Gavriel Kay probably didn't make this an intentional connection, but it is there nonetheless in Under Heaven.
Shen Tai does two very unusual things during the course of his life. Both resonate for him as being importantly "right" for him. Both become the catalysts for not only hugely important moments in his own life, but also have an incredible ripple effect. The first of his right actions saves his sister from a marriage their older brother brokered. The second allows him to support his emperor in a very meaningful way during a civil war. He then goes on to do another "right" thing and ends up living out his days in comfort with a woman he loves and respects, and periodically connecting with an old friend from across the border. He lives a quiet but meaningful life-something we all aspire to.
I love Kay's gentle and lyrical writing style and the way everything unfolds. In a way, this book reads as if it were a slow but steady river. Everything comes together at the end, but although the pace is slow, it allows the reader to savour every moment and get the most of each scene, because they are so carefully crafted and each one has a purpose. There is nothing superfluous in this book.
Another thing I really appreciate is the focus on poetry. It's an artistic cornerstone to this book and adds so much insight into the culture as well as giving the writing flare.
I will definitely be reading this one again. It is an absolute beauty!
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