31 Jan / Wandering Warrior by Da Chen + Author Interview [in AsianWeek]
Chasing the Wandering Warrior
With unabashed pride, I readily admit that I’m a Da Chen groupie. I’ve been one since reading and writing about his two luminous bestselling memoirs, Colors of the Mountain (HarperCollins, 2000), which chronicles his difficult childhood in China during the end of the Cultural Revolution, and Sounds of the River (HarperCollins, 2002), the sequel that follows Chen’s life through university and imminent departure for America.
Like any good groupie, I hunted him down and invited him to lunch with my book club when he was on his last signing tour. Imagine our surprise when he actually accepted, and then proceeded to show up with calligraphy brush, ink stick, and ink stone in hand to personalize each of our copies of his books. Well, that certainly made me a devotee for life. And so I waited oh so patiently for whatever his pen might scroll out next ….
And patience being such the virtue, this month I’m richly rewarded with Chen’s latest title, Wandering Warrior, his first foray into fiction. The debut of a planned series of many, Warrior is a tale for young adults about the adventures of 11-year-old Luka, whose five black moles on each foot ensure that he will be the future emperor of China. The current emperor, who also happens to be Luka’s most evil father, will do anything to stop him. But prophecy is prophecy, and Luka has not only goodness on his side, but some glorious sidekicks – not to mention some of the best martial arts secrets – to keep him eventually safe and sound.
Pegged as the “Chinese Harry Potter,” Warrior is pure fun. Warner Brothers has already optioned it, set aside a budget similar to that of the mega-hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and is talking to the likes of Ang Lee, Jackie Chan, and Zhang Yimou about directing. Chow Yun Fat even expressed interest in playing Luka’s wise caretaker, Atami. “My little taste of Hollywood,” Chen laughs. …[click here for more]
Author interview: “Chasing the Wandering Warrior: Da Chen Makes His Fiction Debut,” AsianWeek, January 31, 2003
Readers: Middle Grade, Young Adult
Published: 2003