Decoded: A Novel
Autor Mai Jiaen Limba Engleză Paperback – 6 mai 2015
A semi-autistic mathematical genius, Jinzhen is recruited to the cryptography department of China's secret services, Unit 701, where he is assigned the task of breaking the elusive 'Code Purple'. Jinzhen rises through the ranks to eventually become China's greatest and most celebrated code-breaker; until he makes a mistake. Then begins his descent through the unfathomable darkness of the world of cryptology into madness.
'Decodedis a subtle and complex exploration of cryptography, politics, dreams and their significance...There is much of interest in this book, from the strange, superstitious beginning to the gradual decline of the Rong family as the twentieth century progresses...But in the end, it's the complexity of the characters that isDecoded's enduring pleasure'London Review of Books
Decodedwas an immediate success when it was published in 2002 in China and has become an international bestseller. With the pacing of a literary crime thriller, Mai Jia's masterpiece also combines elements of historical fiction and state espionage. Taking place in the shadowy world of Chinese secret security, where Mai Jia worked for decades, it introduces us to a place that is unfamiliar, intriguing and authentic. And with Rong Jinzhen, it introduces us to a character who is deeply flawed and fragile, yet possessing exceptional intelligence.Decodedis an unforgettable and gripping story of genius, brilliance, insanity and human frailty.
'Decodedis a subtle and complex exploration of cryptography, politics, dreams and their significance....There is much of interest in this book, from the strange, superstitious beginning to the gradual decline of the Rong family as the twentieth century progresses...But, in the end, it is the complexity of the characters that isDecoded'senduring pleasure'Times Literary Supplement
'Readers skate the line separating insanity from genius in Mai Jia's riveting tale of cryptographic warfare...A denouement at once heartbreaking and thought-provoking leaves readers pondering the collective sanity of a world shrouding knowledge in enigmas. Gifted translators bring English-speaking readers a Chinese literary treasure'Booklist
Mai Jia (the pseudonym of Jiang Benhu) is arguably the most successful writer in China today. His books are constant bestsellers, with total sales over three million copies. He became the highest paid author in China last year with his new book, Wind Talk. He has achieved unprecedented success with film adaptation: all of his novels are made - or are being made - into major films or TV series, the screenplays of which are often written by Mai Jia himself. He is hailed as the forerunner of Chinese espionage fiction, and has created a unique genre that combines spycraft, code-breaking, crime, human drama, historical fiction, and metafiction. He has won almost every major award in China, including the highest literary honor - the Mao Dun Award.
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Penguin Books – 6 mai 2015 | 82.05 lei 43-57 zile |
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Specificații
ISBN-13: 9780141391489
ISBN-10: 0141391480
Pagini: 320
Dimensiuni: 129 x 198 x 18 mm
Greutate: 0.24 kg
Editura: Penguin Books
Colecția Penguin Classics
Locul publicării:London, United Kingdom
ISBN-10: 0141391480
Pagini: 320
Dimensiuni: 129 x 198 x 18 mm
Greutate: 0.24 kg
Editura: Penguin Books
Colecția Penguin Classics
Locul publicării:London, United Kingdom
Notă biografică
Mai
Jia
(the
pseudonym
of
Jiang
Benhu)
is
arguably
the
most
successful
writer
in
China
today.
His
books
are
constant
bestsellers,
with
total
sales
over
three
million
copies.
He
is
hailed
as
the
forerunner
of
Chinese
espionage
fiction,
and
has
created
a
unique
genre
that
combines
spycraft,
code-breaking,
crime,
human
drama,
historical
fiction,
and
metafiction.
He
has
won
almost
every
major
award
in
China,
including
the
highest
literary
honor
-
the
Mao
Dun
Award.
Recenzii
A
mixture
of
Kafka
and
Agatha
Christie
.
.
.
One
of
the
joys
ofDecodedis
its
rich
evocation
of
Chinese
culture
.
.
.
What
is
this
book
really
about?
The
clue
is
in
the
title.
This
book
is
more
about
Jiang
'decoding'
himself
than
breaking
enemy
encryption.
It
is
an
autobiography
operating
under
the
cover
of
spy
fiction
-
and
an
utterly
fascinating
read
.
.
.
Olivia
Milburn's
translation
is
superb
The novel shines in its consideration of the ambiguous difficulties of living with such brilliance . . .Decodedis compelling for its tightly wrought aphorisms, elegantly turned in Olivia Milburn's translation . . . An engaging and highly unusual read
FINALLY, a great Chinese novel . . . This strange, twisting tale is told in fizzy, vivid and often beautiful prose. It is an absolute joy to read
Decodedis a subtle and complex exploration of cryptography, politics, dreams and their significance . . . There is much of interest in this book, from the strange, superstitious beginning to the gradual decline of the Rong family as the twentieth century progresses . . . But in the end, it's the complexity of the characters that isDecoded's enduring pleasure
Strongly recallsOne Hundred Years of Solitude, only this time with the tapestry stitched in silk
The book's subtle ambiguity is extended to its own conclusion, the decoding of which the reader is compelled to take part in. As for the shrewd, poetic, baffled figure at the heart of this maze, Rong Jinzhen comes to perceive the yin and yang of a cosmic order offering not much consolation
Subtle and psychologically focused . . . the central story is a gripping one . . . it leaves you eager to read more of his work
The novel shines in its consideration of the ambiguous difficulties of living with such brilliance . . .Decodedis compelling for its tightly wrought aphorisms, elegantly turned in Olivia Milburn's translation . . . An engaging and highly unusual read
FINALLY, a great Chinese novel . . . This strange, twisting tale is told in fizzy, vivid and often beautiful prose. It is an absolute joy to read
Decodedis a subtle and complex exploration of cryptography, politics, dreams and their significance . . . There is much of interest in this book, from the strange, superstitious beginning to the gradual decline of the Rong family as the twentieth century progresses . . . But in the end, it's the complexity of the characters that isDecoded's enduring pleasure
Strongly recallsOne Hundred Years of Solitude, only this time with the tapestry stitched in silk
The book's subtle ambiguity is extended to its own conclusion, the decoding of which the reader is compelled to take part in. As for the shrewd, poetic, baffled figure at the heart of this maze, Rong Jinzhen comes to perceive the yin and yang of a cosmic order offering not much consolation
Subtle and psychologically focused . . . the central story is a gripping one . . . it leaves you eager to read more of his work