# Fantasy novels with an Asian setting or Asian theme **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672 "2010-06-10T16:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/1 "2010-06-10T16:47:36Z")
I’m aware of [Tales of the Otori](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_Otori), and the old Forgotten Realms [Empire Trilogy.](http://www.amazon.com/Horselords-Forgotten-Realms-Empires-Trilogy/dp/0880389044) There has to be more. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/2 "2010-06-10T16:52:59Z")
There was a series of novels written for the _Legend of the Five Rings_ setting. I’ve only read a couple, but at least the first book, _The Scorpion_, is worth reading. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/3 "2010-06-10T17:14:21Z")
_Bridge of Birds._ ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/4 "2010-06-10T17:20:31Z")
It’s only a short story, but [The Nightingale](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nightingale) is set in China. The tale of Aladdin, in the original 1001 Nights is also set in China. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/5 "2010-06-10T17:27:36Z")
Stephen R. Donaldson wrote an excellent martial arts-themed fantasy short story (almost a novella) by the name of “The Killing Stroke”, featured in his short story anthology _Reave the Just and Other Tales_. It’s worth buying for that story alone, although there’s other good stuff there too (like two stories of the aforementioned Reave, the world’s first passive-agressive superhero). ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/6 "2010-06-10T17:29:26Z")
> **[Barry Hughart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Kao)** > > Barry Hughart (March 13, 1934 – August 1, 2019) was an American author of fantasy novels. > Hughart was born in Peoria, Illinois on March 13, 1934. His father, John Harding Page, served as a naval officer. His mother, Veronica Hughart, was an architect. > Hughart was educated at Phillips Academy (Andover). After graduating from high school, he had undiagnosed depression, which was classified at the time as schizophrenia, and was treated in the Kings County Psychiatric Ward. Following his release he... The Master Li series, by Barry Hughart. Gorgeous, comedic, and insane. Also very chinese. ---
**Author:** ![MTRG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@MTRG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTRG)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/7 "2010-06-10T18:18:26Z")
bad post ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/8 "2010-06-10T18:29:11Z")
Barry Hughard, for sure. Before all others. Eric van Lustbader has some Orientalish works – the Sunset Warrior series (may be out of print). Jessica Salmonson did a trilogy (IIRC) on Tomoe Gozen. E. Hoffmann Price did “The Devil Wives of Li Fong” and “The Jade Enchantress” – both set in China. Will Shetterly did “Witchblood”, which was sort-of an Orientalish setting. ---
**Author:** ![MTRG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@MTRG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTRG)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/9 "2010-06-10T18:30:00Z")
I was going to say [Kafka by the Shore](http://www.amazon.com/Kafka-Shore-Haruki-Murakami/dp/1400079276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276193633&sr=1-1). I guess it is considered fantasy, perhaps not. I did enjoy it and would reccomend it. I have heard good things about Muramaki’s other books. ---
**Author:** ![heater2000ca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@heater2000ca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heater2000ca)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/10 "2010-06-10T18:45:58Z")
I would suggest Thirteen Orphans, by Jane Lindskold. I think it’s technically a Young Adult book (series?) but it was quite well-done. Brings in the chinese zodiac signs, mah-jongg, action, … which reminds me, I’ve been meaning to look and see if the next one in the series is out. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/11 "2010-06-10T19:12:03Z")
“Journey to the West” is the great epic fantasy of China. It’s the story of the monk who travels to India to bring Buddhism back to China, and the monkey king who goes along with him as his protector. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/12 "2010-06-10T20:19:34Z")
Does it have to be genuine Asian or can it be fantasy Asian-like setting? Raymond E. Feist’s _Daughter of the Empire_ series is set in a pseudo-Japanese setting, with humans co-existing with an intelligent insectoid hive species. ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/13 "2010-06-10T20:27:16Z")
Much of _Diamond Age_, by Neal Stephenson, is set in Hong Kong, and the quintessential attitudes of Chinese culture are a major set piece. It’s more science fiction than fantasy, though. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/14 "2010-06-10T21:12:53Z")
Has anyone mentioned [Barry Hughart](http://www.amazon.com/Barry-Hughart/e/B000AQ4SNE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1)? I was always disappointed that he never wrote more than the three books. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/15 "2010-06-10T22:19:39Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Does it have to be genuine Asian or can it be fantasy Asian-like setting? > > Raymond E. Feist’s _Daughter of the Empire_ series is set in a pseudo-Japanese setting, with humans co-existing with an intelligent insectoid hive species. No, Asian-like is acceptable. …or is it yes, Asian-like is acceptable? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/16 "2010-06-10T23:35:01Z")
The Chronicles of Narnia… …no, wait, that’s an **Aslan** theme. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/17 "2010-06-10T23:59:49Z")
I don’t mean this to be snarky although it might come out as such: I really recommend looking up some actual Asian authors in addition to white people who write about their Asian experience or “the” Asian experience. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/18 "2010-06-10T23:59:50Z")
[Chung Kuo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chung_Kuo) (series) by David Wingrove. It’s really more like world-building/SF than fantasy. There’s eight books in the series which vary in quality but the first one is a pretty good book. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/19 "2010-06-11T00:04:20Z")
Zelazny’s **Lord of Light** which is based in part on the Hindu pantheon. ---
**Author:** ![ChordedZither](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9c0ed/32.png) [@ChordedZither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChordedZither)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672/20 "2010-06-11T01:04:31Z")
Another fan of Hughart’s novels. I’ve also enjoyed Liz William’s series about Detective Inspector Chen. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-novels-with-an-asian-setting-or-asian-theme/542672.md?page=2)