Daughter recounts father's life as Chinese legend in historical novel. Fulfilling her father's last wish, Janita Lo shares his real life stories in "Rising Son: Reflections of a Chinese Gentleman Warrior". HOUSTON - Based on the true first-hand accounts of Khan Ling and his wife, Che Yu, Janita Lo has lovingly combined her parent's stories into a cohesive work of historical fiction, "Rising Son: Reflections of a Chinese Gentleman Warrior" (ISBN: 0615426042). "I am Khan Ling, son of Khan Bei, a descendant of Genghis Khan; the only heir of my grandfather, Khan Gong Shun, Royal Army Commander of the Ch'ing Dynasty and of my grandmother, Princess May Szee, granddaughter of the Emperor Xianfeng...These are merely the particulars of my lineage. It is not so much the people, but rather the circumstances and my own choices that have made me who I am today." Thus begins the story of Khan Ling. In "Rising Son: Reflections of a Chinese Gentleman Warrior," Lo tells the story of her father, Khan Ling, in his own voice, bringing life to the stories he told her as a child. Ranging through the turmoil of late 1800's Ch'ing (Qing) Dynasty in China to the early 19th century, the story of Khan Ling is a tale of bravery, excitement and intrigue, but also a tale of loss and loneliness. Lo, speaking in the voice of her father, aims to express the longings of a young boy growing to adulthood in the tumultuous era before and including World War II. Khan was born in a Buddhist temple to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother. After the death of his father, Khan was reared at the temple by the monks who lived and studied there. Though surrounded by caring teachers, he missed the comfort and care of his mother and father. Later on he would lose his mother to tragedy. These events would color his life and exploits throughout a long life. Khan Ling served in the Chinese intelligence department under Chiang Kai-shek in the conflict with Japan. During this time, China was debating the role of Western influences as the country shifted from dynastic rule into an industrialized society. Throughout these events, Ling struggled with the internal conflict of his half-Chinese and half-Japanese lineage, though he did eventually place his loyalty firmly with China. He fought against the Japanese underground and was able to help release many Chinese families held captive by the Japanese in Hong Kong from 1943-1945. "This is more than a story about a man of heroic achievement," says Lo. "It's a study of the human soul, about young love, romance, chivalry, loss, longing and the desire for the nurturing of a family." This story provides a rich, textured look at the human experience as well as the exciting, enigmatic life of a local legend from royal lineage whose name was omitted from Chinese history books due to the misconceptions that surrounded him. Honestly and with historical accuracy, Lo takes her readers to Khan's China, where danger and opportunity walked hand in hand; where a young Chinese gentleman fulfilled his destiny. Lo lets readers experience the mysterious Chinese culture: patriotism, heroism, bravery, compassion, love, romance and the power of the human spirit under extraordinary circumstances in "Rising Son: Reflections of a Chinese Gentleman Warrior." The historical information in this manuscript is authentic. The main characters heroic and humanitarian accomplishments are painstakingly recounted through the tales told by her late father, Khan Ling. "Rising Son," would appeal to readers who enjoy the real-live drama of historical accounts and personal memoirs. Educational and enlightening in so many respects, "Rising Son" is a timely addition to the literary world and contemporary reader's bookshelf especially considering the growing importance of China in our everyday lives.
About the Author: Janita Lo was born in China, educated in Hong Kong and finished her higher education in Australia and the United States. She has been a professional interior designer in Houston since 1965, with clients such as Walt Disney World, and Wyndham Hotels. Lo recently began writing stories about Khan Ling, her late father, and his extraordinary life. The significant place that her family holds in both Chinese and Japanese history spurred her to write her father's memoir, an exquisite true-life story inspired by her father, stretched across three generations.