The Melancholy of Untold History: A Novel

This colorful debut novel from historian Kang (Invincible and Righteous Outlaw) parallels a tale of modern love with a chronicle of a Scheherazade-like storyteller from the distant past. At the outset, an unnamed history professor begins an affair with a young female colleague after his wife dies in an accident. After the colleague breaks it off with the historian, he comes to feel suicidal. Kang alternates the historian’s travails with the exploits of a storyteller in an ancient Pacific Asian country, who must use his wits to amuse a bloodthirsty emperor and save his own life. The storyteller spins an epic tale of four mountain gods and goddesses who, after quarreling over a peach, part ways, vowing revenge. Finally, after three millennia and many reincarnations, sometimes as mortals, the gods reconcile. As the historian contemplates ending his own life, his young lover fortuitously calls his cell phone to apologize for how she left him, and he confesses to his deep despair. The mythic battle scenes tend to feel a bit dry, but otherwise Kang delivers an impressive reimagining of Asian folk traditions, combined with a deeply touching modern love story. Patient readers will find much to admire. Agent: Christopher Vyce, Brattle Agency. (July)