The Song of Mu Lan by Anonymous (translated and illustrated by Jeanne M. Lee).
Title: The Song of Mu Lan.
Author: Anonymous (translated and illustrated by Jeanne M. Lee).
Genre: Literature, fiction, mythology, poetry, children's books, picture books, feminism, war.
Country: China.
Language: Chinese.
Publication Date: ~400 A.D. (this translation/art 1995).
Summary: A folktale based on a poem from the Sung Dynasty in which a young girl disguises herself as a man and leads the army of China to victory over the enemy.
My rating: 7/10
My review:
♥ "I do not sigh.
I am not sad.
Last night I heard the call to arms:
The Emperor is raising an army.
Twelve times I heard the call to arms,
And each time, my father's name."
♥
Father has no elder son.
Mu Lan has no older brother.
"I wish I were on horseback.
East to buy a horse.
West to buy a saddle.
South to buy a harness.
North to buy a whip.
♥ Great generals of a hundred battles perish.
But foot soldiers go on ten long years.
♥
♥ A male rabbit is fast and agile,
A female rabbit has bright eyes.
When the two rabbits run together,
No one can tell which is male, which is female.
I would ride in Father's place."