"Filled with classical allusions, multilayered wordplay, and delightful poetry, Cao’s novel is a testament to what Chinese literature capable of."

• Annual Best
• Historical Fiction

This third volume of The Story of the Stone saga, depicts the rise and fall of the Jia family, a story that mirrors the experiences of the author’s own family. The two central characters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu, are placed against a backdrop of humor, intricate details, and lyrical poetry, reflecting the complex dynamics of Chinese family life. The overarching theme of the book is a reminder of the existence of another realm beyond the physical, reinforcing Buddhist beliefs in the supernatural.