James J. Lu has a first-class knowledge of Western fictional prose as well as of Asian poetry. Only a rare scholar can bring together both fields to persuasively suggest a bold new theory of how genres interact. James J. Lu is that scholar. He has written a mind-opener of a book.

Marianna Torgovnick, Professor of English. Duke University, USA

The ur-text of the lyric mythos, the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, sees the titular god invent the lyre as a way to enchant his sibling Apollo with beautiful sounds. Accordingly, James Lu transports us with a masterful and wide-ranging exploration of lyricism as it emerges from canonical literature and popular culture all over the world. He concludes the study with a stirring lyric prose piece of his own composition. Like Apollo, readers will find themselves beguiled-and clearly getting the better part of the deal- as they immerse themselves in Professor Lu's erudition and eloquence.

Stanley Orr, Professor of English, University of Hawaii, USA