Li Po tells his life story to be written down, on his way into exile. The tales he tells! Yeah there is poetry in the mix, but mixed in with traveling all around China and the wildest adventures of every type, from hanging out with brigands to hanging out with the emperor. How well any of this fits with real Chinese history, or with what records we have, what traditional tales of Li Po, I have no idea! But this was a rollicking read and a fabulous narrative. It creates a wonderful atmosphere, full of sensual details. ( )