After decades living in England, writer and filmmaker Xiaolu Guo travelled to her native China with her daughter. Her objective was twofold: to show her eleven-year-old where she came from, and to discover what remained of an enigmatic period that had long fascinated her: the magnificent and cosmopolitan Tang Dynasty (618–907).
As they wander through the great cities of Xi’an and Luoyang, and cross the Wei and the Yangzi Rivers, Guo ponders the unique artistic, intellectual and social achievements of the Tang Dynasty and its influence on Western culture. Part travelogue, part historical reflection, Everyday Tang is a profound – and often startling – meditation on China’s Golden Age.
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‘In this enchanting memoir, Guo travels across China looking for traces o the Tang dynasty and “its open cosmopolitan melting pot” . . . Guo’s approachable prose belies the depth of emotion she brings to reckoning with the erasure of Chinese history during the Cultural Revolution, and her blend of reportage and history is seamless. This is a powerful testament to connecting with one’s roots.’
" - Publishers Weekly
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‘The Tang dynasty stands as a golden age of Chinese civilization, renowned for its artistic brilliance and cosmopolitan spirit. Through anecdotes, stories, and a richly observed travelogue, Xiaolu Guo reveals how this pivotal era continues to shape the culture, imagination, and identity of China today.’
" - New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Peking and The Last Emperor of China
