Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Dee Goong An) cover art

Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Dee Goong An)

An Authentic 18th-Century Chinese Detective Novel

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Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Dee Goong An)

By: Robert van Gulik
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, Stefan Rudnicki, Lorna Raver, Yuri Rasovsky
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About this listen

 Long before Western writers had even conceived the idea of writing detective stories, the Chinese had developed a long tradition of literary works that chronicled the cases of important district magistrates. One of the most celebrated of these was Judge Dee, who lived in the seventh century.

This book, written anonymously in the 18th century, interweaves three of Judge Dee's most baffling cases: a double murder among traveling merchants, the fatal poisoning of a bride on her wedding night, and the suspicious death of a shop keeper with a beautiful wife.

The crimes take him up and down the great silk routes, into ancient graveyards where he consults the spirits of the dead, and through all levels of society, leading him to some brilliant detective work.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Historical Mystery Crime Fiction Detective Chinese Mystery

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All stars
Most relevant  
The story/stories is very much a typical Judge Dee classic. It might be helpful if readers/listeners understand that the setting of the story is several hundred years ago and that the Chinese legal system of that period generally required confessions and put little or no restrictions on how confessions were obtained. The stories are not detective stories as we have become accustomed, nor are they whodunnits, they are more about tactics.

I read a lot of these stories many years ago but this is my first audio version. The accents and voices in this example are not great and the performances were wooden and lacking any nuance or subtlety.

Of its time and period

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judge dee books are a great read. They capture a China echoes of which can still be seen today.

Great book great narration.

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Very clever, and an accurate depiction of traditional Chinese social, legal and judicial practices. All bound up in three intriguing cases.

Excellent

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Lots of detail, Glimpse into another culture. Interesting characters and crimes. Engaging to listen to.

Great story

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I really enjoyed the novel. The laboured exposition and introduction and epilogue I can happily live without. But the actual novel sandwiched between all the waffle at each end? Excellent!

Very entertaining

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a really fascinating book as it takes you out of your comfort zone into an entirely different culture. this had the effect of making me take a look at our own traditions and also the literary conventions of our own detective fiction. this book does not conform in any way.

the narration was a little irritating at first but perfect for the content as many audios are 'performed' which would not be appropriate in this case, bear with it, the book itself takes over very quickly.

the three cases are all worked at the same time but are separate and Judge Dee has to face many challenges both from his superiors and of public opinion. the three plots are quite different yet combined in the time-frame give the book it's strength.

the cherry on the cake is the commentary at the end which had so much information that I would have preferred it to have been at the start.

I paid full price for this book and it was worth every penny. so, for those with open minds, go ahead you won't regret it. shame this is the only one.

tremble and obey!

tremble and obey

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The charm of the book comes from the way it gently introduces a western reader for the old Chinese tradition of detective writing. The end contains a long epilogue by van Gulik which describes the genre as a whole and the ancient Chinese penal code. Therefore a certain level of interest to the subject is necessary in order for the book be entertaining.

I stumbled across this book having read van Gulik’s own fictional adventures of judge Dee. This book, being actually +200 years old text, gives a nice reference point to van Gulik’s own stories.

A Case study into Chinese detective writing

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Definitely worth a listen. This collection on intertwined stories is well read and very entertaining

Excellent study of Judge Dee. recommended

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extremely profound and amazing. loved it. characters are not balnd and tasteless as they are in agatha Christie or Doyle. this is a glimpse into a culture where science and mystical is intermingled to astonishing extent. great voice too.

judge Dee

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I have always loved Judge Dee mysteries. In this case the cast was fantastic too.

I am deeply saddened that there are no more audible by this cast or narrator. I hope audible will release more in the future.

fantastic

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