The Banished Immortal

A deeply empathetic portrait of a literary genius whose vicissitudes in life . . . would pale a Shakespearean drama. --The Wall Street Journal Ha Jin narrates the poet's unusual life with erudition. . . . Writing about Li Bai--his life, his work, and his country--Jin finally returns home. --The New Yorker A fluently told story, mysterious yet familiar, tragic yet sometimes comical. Ha Jin is a master storyteller. --Robert Pinsky Ha Jin tells Li's story with insight and empathy. --The New Yorker (briefly noted) An affectionate and thoughtful portrait of a complicated man and a master poet. . . . American readers' Western bias has left the Chinese poet Li Bai less well-known here than in his native land, where he is considered a foundational writer. [The Banished Immortal] is a worthy corrective and an engaging introduction to the poet's life and work. --BookPage Ha Jin's masterful style and deep affection for his subject make the book a pleasure to read. . . A number of readers will pick up this book knowing its author but not Li Bai, and Ha Jin makes sure they see Bai's prodigious talent. --Shelf Awareness (starred review) A taut introduction to the life and poetry of the influential eighth-century Daoist poet . . . Ha Jin's polished biography will give a wider audience access to the politics and beauty of a major Chinese poet. --Publisher's Weekly (starred review) Award-winning novelist and poet Jin offers a glimpse into the life of one of China's most celebrated poets . . . Scholarly and emotionally engaging . . . Essential. --Library Journal (starred review) [Bai's] life as distinguished poet and fiction writer Ha Jin so limpidly relays it was peripatetic. . . . Yet he was an unstaunchable fount of poems of friendship, drinking, dancing, nostalgia, and regret. . . . Bai still stands, with his friend Du Fu, at the pinnacle of Chinese poetry, and his influence is extensive the world over. --Booklist