Golden Lotus

The Golden Lotus is a Chinese novel that tells the story of Ximen Qing, a wealthy merchant who takes Pan Jinlian as his fifth wife. It is a saga of ruthless ambition, murder, and lust and is recognized as one of the Four Masterworks of the Ming novel. It has been alternately banned and lauded for centuries and is now available in a single unabridged volume.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 1280 pages
Publication date: 22 August 2023
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

The Golden Lotus, a novel of unparalleled physical love, stands as a testament to the rich literary heritage of China. Renowned as the fifth Great Classical Novel in Chinese literature, it joins the esteemed ranks of the Four Great Classics: Journey to the West, The Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Dream of the Red Chamber (also known as The Story of the Stone). Widely recognized as one of the Four Masterworks of the Ming novel, The Golden Lotus weaves a captivating tale of ruthless ambition, murder, and lust.

The story revolves around Ximen Qing, a wealthy and unscrupulous merchant, who takes the beautiful and ambitious widow Pan Jinlian as his fifth wife. Jinlian, driven by her thirst for power and social status, employs sex as her weapon to dominate her husband and elevate her standing in society. As the narrative unfolds, Ximen Qing embarks on a series of sexual conquests, while Jinlian exploits her husband's lust, ultimately leading to the downfall of the entire family. The dramatic climax of the story vividly portrays the lengths to which ambitious individuals will go to gain influence, while also shedding light on the rivalries within wealthy families of privilege.

Golden Lotus has held a revered and controversial place in Chinese culture for centuries. It has been alternately banned and celebrated, yet remains a widely read and cherished classic. This new Tuttle edition, presented in a single unabridged volume, is a testament to the enduring significance of the novel. In his superb introduction, Robert Hegel of Washington University elucidates the book's importance as the first novel in the Chinese tradition attributable to a single author.

Through its vivid portrayal of physical love, The Golden Lotus offers a profound exploration of human emotions and motivations. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of literature to captivate, inspire, and provoke thought. As we delve into the intricate web of characters, plotlines, and societal dynamics, we are reminded of the complexities and intricacies of human nature, and the profound impact that our choices and actions can have on the course of our lives and the world around us.

Weight: 1040g
Dimension: 135 x 206 x 53 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780804856720