Subject
British -- China -- Fiction Books
Best books
W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
The Painted Veil
"The Painted Veil" by W. Somerset Maugham is a novel published in 1925. When a frivolous young woman enters a loveless marriage and begins an affair in Hong Kong, her betrayed husband presents her with a devastating choice: accompany him to a cholera-ravaged village in mainland China or face public divorce. Forced into a dangerous epidemic zone, she embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery among French nuns and suffering villagers, confronting her own shallow nature and witnessing her husband's hidden depths.
Louise Jordan Miln
Mr. Wu Based on the Play "Mr. Wu" by H. M. Vernon and Harold Owen
"Mr. Wu" by Louise Jordan Miln is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Wu Li Chang, a young Chinese boy of royal descent, and his unique experiences growing up under the care of his grandfather, the mandarin Wu Ching Yu, amidst the tensions between Eastern and Western cultures. The narrative explores themes of tradition, identity, and the clash of civilizations as the boy is raised to serve China while being prepared for a future in England. The opening of "Mr. Wu" introduces the dynamic between the two Wus, highlighting the strict yet loving relationship between the grandfather and his grandson. As the story unfolds, little Wu grapples with the implications of his upcoming arranged marriage and the expectations that come with his heritage. The grandfather's resolve to send the boy to England for education reflects a broader picture of Chinese society at the time, facing the impact of Western influence. The tone is rich with cultural significance, as it juxtaposes the traditional aspects of Chinese life with the impending changes brought about by globalization and imperialism.
Vincent H. (Vincent Herbert) Gowen
Sun and moon
"Sun and Moon" by Vincent H. Gowen is a novel written in the late 20th century. The story is set against a backdrop of cultural complexities in early 20th-century China, focusing on the lives of two Eurasian children, Nancy and Edward Herrick, as they navigate their identities and family dynamics within a household influenced by Eastern and Western traditions. The book delves into themes of belonging, cultural clash, and the consequences of lineage in a rapidly changing world. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the lush, serene setting of a garden estate in Peking, where Nancy and Edward, the mixed-race children of their father Timothy Herrick and a Chinese mother, engage in playful antics that highlight both their innocence and their foreignness. The opening chapters explore the family's unconventional dynamics, particularly the challenges their father faces in raising them within a Chinese household while trying to preserve his own cultural identity. Herrick's struggle with his dual responsibilities and the children's tumultuous interactions with their Chinese half-siblings set the stage for a narrative rich in conflict as they grapple with their place in both cultures amidst whispers of gossip and tensions that arise from their mixed heritage.
Stella Benson
The Poor Man
"The Poor Man" by Stella Benson is a novel written in the early 20th century. This work explores the complexities of relationships and the internal struggles of its protagonist, Edward R. Williams, as he navigates life in post-war America. The narrative hints at themes of idealism, dislocation, and the quest for identity, suggesting a poignant commentary on both personal and societal issues of the time. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Edward R. Williams, who appears disengaged from his surroundings, absorbed in his thoughts and the aesthetic of a tailor's advertisement. His life unfolds in the picturesque backdrop of San Francisco, where he contrasts the beauty of the city with his feelings of isolation and anxiety. Amidst a lively gathering at a friend's social event, we see Edward grappling with his deafness, insecurities, and an earnest desire for connection, particularly with the enchanting Emily. The opening chapters effectively set the stage for Edward’s internal conflicts and his interactions with a colorful cast of characters, foreshadowing his journey of self-discovery and the exploration of intimate relationships.
Ronald Fraser
Landscape with figures
"Landscape with figures" by Ronald Fraser is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows a circle of European “Seven Sages” led by the industrial magnate Lord Sombrewater, whose minute-writer Ambrose Herbert narrates their voyage into an idealized China where art, landscape, and philosophy blur. Blending travel fantasy with philosophical comedy, it contrasts Western power, science, and appetite with ancient Chinese poise, with Lychnis—Sombrewater’s vivid, questing daughter—at the emotional center. The opening of the novel presents a preface framing the tale as a mind’s encounter with Chinese art, then shifts to Ambrose’s calm diary of the Sages aboard the yacht Floating Leaf in eastern waters. After lyrical sea scenes and sharp portraits of the party—Lord Sombrewater, Lychnis, Ruby, Terence, Quentin, Sir Richard, Fulke, Sprot, and the ascetic Blackwood—a threatened mutiny and a storm push them to a river mouth amid fantastical hills. Guided by Terence’s vision of “Peach-blossom People” and the inscrutable Chinese steward they nickname Such-a-one, they abandon the yacht, don Chinese dress, and pole upstream. Along the way, Quentin’s brashness startles villagers until Such-a-one’s words disperse the crowds, Fulke privately declares his hopeless love for Lychnis, and a night sighting of a silent “dragon” (perhaps an aircraft) heightens the sense of myth. They work through a warm, intricate gorge, swim, and enter a serene valley of willows, blossoms, and lotus-lakes dominated by a rocky “Dragon Island.” Finally, they install themselves in exquisite pavilions—Lord Sombrewater, Lychnis, Ruby, Sir Richard, and Ambrose in the “Pavilion of the Yellow Emperor”—to begin their sojourn in this cultivated dream-land.
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