This book is in bookstores now.
This is a fairly monumental work, weighing in at 480 pages, and with a list of characters to match.
Pauline Chen has undertaken to bring a Chinese classic novel of the eighteenth century, “Dream of the Red Chamber” by Cao Xueqin, to a modern audience. She does this by skilful reworking of the original story, using the three major women as the pivotal characters in a truly fascinating work.
In 18th century China, it seems that women – particularly in aristocratic families- led quite separate lives, with their own living quarters where men were generally not permitted. In this novel, women were also not encouraged to become educated, and so their lives are prescribed by the daily round of embroidery, discussions and meals. Add to the mix the fact that concubines are de riguer, and that servants form a large part of the female household, and there’s a recipe for intrigue, fascination, gossip and romance.
Each of the major characters is drawn as a strong, charismatic woman, and each is entirely different. Daiyu, the poor relation (literally) of Xifeng and Baochai comes across as a more modern woman, unwilling to settle for a relationship without love. Xifeng is beautiful, and an entrepreneur without her family knowing, but barren. Baochai loves one who does not love her. It all sounds a bit soap-operaish, but somehow it is way way better than that!
There is huge political intrigue on the part of the men in the household, and all kinds of other intrigue as well involving everyone from maids to mistresses. The hugely wealthy family eventually is plunged into desperate poverty following a political coup in which they find themselves on the wrong side. The women in particular must fight for survival.
This is a well-written story, and once I got the characters straight in my head I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you want a good, well-constructed and exciting historical novel outside the mainstream, this is it.
Reviewed by Sue Esterman
The Red Chamber
by Pauline Chen
Published by Virago Press Ltd
ISBN 9781844087969
booksellersnz.wordpress.com 