History comes alive in Irene Bennett’s new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China
Meet the Author: Irene Vinyard Bennett has wide experience as a writer and educational minister. Her debut novel, BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi, won the International Proverse Prize of 2022. It is the first story about the Bronze-Age Bells of Marquis Yi, a National Treasure of China.
An international motivational speaker, workshop leader, and minister, Irene writes and edits academic articles for theological journals in Ukraine and Myanmar, lectures online for Myanmar seminaries, and works with young families of Western Presbyterian Church in DC. She has written professionally throughout life in eight states, several countries, and now in Alexandria VA! She loves diverse cultures, speaks some Cantonese and Spanish, and has taught English to immigrants in Georgia, Florida, and multi-ethnic groups of women and university students in Hong Kong.
Her favorite experiences involved sharing educational methods with church leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina, across Asia, and with many local English teachers in China, including the faculty of a school for the blind. Fun publications include feature interviews with an Olympic Gold Medalist and an international golfer at the Masters Tournament.
Irene shares: I’m a word person who loves to write about ideas and issues and create stories for readers/listeners of all ages. I’m also a people person with a sign attached, saying, “Talk, I’ll Listen.” And, along my journeys around the globe, I’ve learned to teach and lead people with clear, concise, concrete, and personable communication. I joy in encouraging people of any culture to become who they desire to be — a writer, teacher, leader, life partner, parent, or even a better Christian. My favorite compliments ever? “When Irene isn’t teaching, she’s learning.” “We always knew you would write a book!” Click here to follow Irene on LinkedIn.
About Battle of the Artisans: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi
“Battle of the Artisans,” by Irene Bennett
Battle of the Artisans tells the story of Tangtun, a conflicted, artistic twelve-year-old in 5th-century BCE China, who sets out to save his father from a killer. He crosses wits with his macho father, a vengeful king, armed thieves, and disgruntled villagers, and in the process discovers new powers that rock his Bronze-Age world. In the end, what matters most is not Tangtun’s artistic abilities or his father’s muscles and might, but the strength of acting together.
This novel portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. No one knows exactly why these bells were made, but Bennett offers a well-researched, persuasive solution to the mystery through her story of Tangtun and his village on the Yangtze River.
Every historical novel is an imagined introduction to a topic and a time. BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS invites readers to explore further the world and the science of the bells of Marquis Yi, to learn more about the early history of China, and to consider implications for the power of family and community. The author hopes that readers will connect with Tangtun and his world in ways that will enrich them and their own worlds.
Click here to buy Battle of the Artisans.
Scroll down for our Q&A with Irene!
Source — Wikimedia Commons: Two Tone Set-bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng
Irene Bennett Brings Chinese History to Life
Image (right) of the Two Tone Set-bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng: Wikimedia Commons
Inkandescent Kids: What advice do you have for kids who want to become writers?
Irene: Read, read, read, and write at every opportunity. As you grow up reading and writing, you will discover what you really want to write.
Inkandescent Kids: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
Irene: I always loved the smell of pencils! In second grade, I wanted to write stories like the ones I was reading. By age 11, I knew I wanted to be a writer. My first published piece in my hometown newspaper that year carried my name and the title, Reporter!
Inkandescent Kids: What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?
Irene: Writing is a skill and an art that you can learn. Selling your writing is an entirely different ball game!
Inkandescent Kids: Tell us more about Battle of the Artisans!
Irene: Who made the gigantic Bells of Marquis Yi? Why did they make them? BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS solves this mystery. Tangtun, a conflicted, artistic twelve-year-old in 5th-century BCE China, sets out to save his macho father from a killer. He crosses wits with a vengeful king, armed thieves, unhappy villagers, even his own dad. And he discovers new powers that rock his small village on the Yangtze River. Through it all, what matters most is not Tangtun’s artistic abilities, nor his father’s muscles and might. Most importantly, they realize the strength of acting together.
I did lots of research for this historical story about the making of the Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China, and I created a believable solution to their mystery.
Inkandescent Kids: How did you get the idea for your book?
Irene: One day I saw a curious title on the public library shelf. The book was about an ancient tomb with 125 musical instruments in it, including the Bells of Marquis Yi. I had never heard of such a tomb before, so I kept reading. Soon I learned about a famous battle with two kings who became friends and thought boys would like this story. Then I read the sentence, “No one knows who made these bells nor why,” I thought, I do! One king made them for the other. And the story was born.
Inkandescent Kids: What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
Irene: I hope they will explore further the bells of Marquis Yi, learn more about early Chinese history, and think about family and community. May Tangtun’s world enrich their world!
Inkandescent Kids: What was it like to see your work published?
Irene: “I did it!” was my first reaction, a sense of accomplishment. Every time a reader tells me what they think of the story, I feel pure pleasure.