Pavilions in the Air: And Other Chinese Proverbs with English Equivalents - Hardcover

Gathered here are gems galore, which, while revealing much as to the Chinese national psyche, highlight particular traits and characteristics that span the globe. We all know Chairman Mau's infamous 'It doesn't matter what colour the cat, as long as it catches mice', but most of us would only recognize an approximate English equivalent of 'A mighty dragon cannot crush a local snake' or, 'A Phoenix might come out of a crow's nest'. The beasts and birds of legend and folklore provide the inimitable Kathryn Lamb's pen with a feast of hilarious subjects, not least a certain revolution at one ill-fated dinner party...

CHRISTOPHER ARNANDER is a former banker who worked for many years in the City and the Middle East. He is the author of a book on banking and is also an enthusiastic cartoon collector.FRANCES WOOD is head of the Chinese Department at the British Library and author of A Companion to China and The Blue Guide to China, among many.