I, Tutus: The Son of Heaven
Don Phillips
Reviewed by Wendy Runyon
Do not be fooled by this seemingly unusual basis for a novel. It
is actually a unique premise, which is quite charming. An
anthropologist doing research into the insight that channeling can
offer his studies, seeks help from a well known channeler who agrees to
put him under hypnosis. Professor Sunny Dayberry hoped to contact
someone from prehistoric times, but instead his continued attempts to
do so resulted in his channeling a pug in China over 2000 years
ago. I, Tutus: the Son of Heaven, is a compilation of his notes
into the story of the pug’s life in China and her journey west.
It is the first of two books that will follow the adventures of the
sweet and brave pug, Xiao Ji Long.
Xiao Ji Long was born to greatness. Her father was the famous
Mighty Tiger Slayer and her mother, the beautiful Most Delicate
Harmony. Xiao’s birth was not an easy one nor would her life
prove to be. Going from the loving attention of the eunuch called
Uncle Stupid to the harsh lessons of Cheng Sung and then onto the more
gentle guidance of Li Haun, Xiao us being prepared for her presentation
to the Son of Heaven, the 11 year old Emperor of China.
Xiao leads a relatively simple life at the palace. Xiao takes
pleasure in playing among the lovely and adoring concubines, especially
the beautiful Splendid Moon and the clever Precious Wisdom. She
romps around with the giant mastiff, Prince. Xiao lives her life
much as a dog would be expected to, relatively oblivious to the
politics, secret love affairs, sorrows and conspiracies, although each
in turn impacts her easy life. All of that comes to a screeching
halt, when Xiao Ji Long finds herself a victim of kidnapping, suddenly
removed from all she knows and taken on the road where life will never
be the same.
Don Phillips weaves into his story the philosophy, religious beliefs,
and politics of the time. He captures the lifestyle and cultural
differences between the various people Xiao comes into contact with
throughout the novel, giving the time period and events a more
authentic feel.
Told from the point of view of Xiao, the pug, author Don Phillips
skillfully fits in a dog’s natural behaviors, adding life and insight
into his heroine. Her innocence is endearing, her energy and
curiosity boundless. Any dog lover will enjoy getting to know
Xiao and sharing in her adventures.
The adventures of Xiao continue in I Titus, Citizen of Rome.