Five-Fold Happiness

Starred review from October 1, 2002
Graphic designer Sung's book belongs to the relatively new class of small, sensuously crafted books meant to be pleasing to the hand and eye as well as to the mind. Her contribution to the genre takes for its subject the Chinese concepts of luck, prosperity, happiness, and wealth: she discusses each concept, as well as the varied legends that surround them, in Chinese and English; for each symbol of each concept there are pictograms, photographs, and other illustrations. Sung's distinctive way with design is evident from the delightful, brilliantly red and yellow pages. Her writing is clear and engaging; her subject is too-little understood in the West. Highly recommended for all collections.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.