Brown, Liam D'Arcy

PERSONAL: Born in London, England. Education: Graduated from Oxford University.

ADDRESSES: Home—Warwickshire, England. Agent—c/o Author Mail, John Murray Publishers, 388 Euston Rd., London NW1 3BH, England.

CAREER: Writer.

WRITINGS:

Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior: A Journey around China's Symbolic Frontiers (travel), John Murray Publishers (London, England), 2003.

SIDELIGHTS: Liam D'Arcy Brown studied Chinese at Oxford University and then moved to Shanghai, China, where he researched China's ancient history. Brown's first book, Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior: A Journey around China's Symbolic Frontiers uses the four points of the Chinese zodiac to depict exotic destinations in the far reaches of China. Brown's fluent Chinese helped him to communicate with citizens in many parts of the country, some of whom had never conversed with a European before. His travelogue covers large cities and diminishing rain forests, mass transportation and remote rural villages. Critics praised the book. "Brown has penned a perceptive portrait of modern China," wrote Stanley Stewart in an online London Telegraph review of Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior. Stewart went on to comment that Brown "has captured [China's] soul." In the China-Britain Business Council Review online, a critic described the work as "delightful … an absorbing and entertaining travel book," penned by its author with "a great deal of affection and insight." Additionally, Susan G. Baird, writing in Library Journal, felt that the author's style of writing "brings Brown's China to life."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, October 1, 2004, Susan G. Baird, review of Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior: A Journey around China's Symbolic Frontiers, p. 102.

ONLINE

China-Britain Business Council Review Online, http://www.cbbc.org/the_review/ (October 20, 2005), review of Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior.

Telegraph Online, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ (October 20, 2005), Stanley Stewart, "Take away the Detail from Chinese Drama."