Book cover of Grand Canal, Great River

Book description

In July 1170, a Chinese poet, politician and historian made a journey from west to east China. Lu You (pronounced 'loo yo') kept a daily record of his experiences: the people he met, the unfolding landscape and the famous historical sites he visited. What emerges is a detailed panorama of…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Grand Canal, Great River as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love this translation of a long boat trip up the Yangtze River. Phillip Watson’s interpretation makes the journey seem alive, as if you had just finished sailing upriver with Lu You.

Photographs of modern-day places where the Song dynasty poet travelled bring his adventures to life, as he stops at temples and meets Daoist abbots and Buddhist monks. The river itself hasn’t changed much, making the book a reliable travel companion and guide.

I smiled, and sometimes laughed at loud, at the comments Lu You made about people and small shrines he encountered! And the photographs! Did I mention…

If you love Grand Canal, Great River...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like Grand Canal, Great River?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Grand Canal, Great River.

Browse books like Grand Canal, Great River

Book cover of Tales of the Dancing Dragon
Book cover of The Daoist Tradition
Book cover of The Shortest History of China

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Grand Canal, Great River, you might also like...

Book cover of Murder, Lies and Chocolate

Murder, Lies and Chocolate by Sally Berneathy,

Book 2, Death by Chocolate series.

Rodney Bradford comes into Lindsay's restaurant, offers to buy her small house for double its value, eats her brownies, and drops dead on the sidewalk in front. Next, her almost-ex-husband offers to sign the divorce papers, but only if she'll give him her small,…

Book cover of Tangle of Time

Tangle of Time by Maureen Thorpe,

A spellbinding journey through time and cultures.

When Annie Thornton, midwife and apprentice witch, falls through time to a 15th-century Yorkshire village with her telepathic cat, Rosamund, she befriends Will and Jack, two soldiers returning from the French Wars. Mistress Meg, Annie’s ancestral aunt living in the 15th century, is…

5 book lists we think you will like!