White Snake and Other Stories

The novella and five stories forming the first English translation of this award-winning Chinese author's work explore the intricacies of male/female relationships, and the possibilities of wondrous, generous and unexpected relationships that defy traditional gender roles. But personal identity develops alongside a dominant political atmosphere; each story, elegantly and starkly crafted, is shaped by the policies of the Cultural Revolution, during the chaotic decade of 1966-1976. In the novella, ""White Snake,"" political prisoner Sun Likun, a 34-year-old dancer and former femme fatale, falls in love with a magnetic young man ostensibly sent by the government to interrogate her. She becomes disoriented at the realization that the fellow with the ""fine and delicate"" hands is actually a young woman, but eventually comes to accept this extraordinary, transformational love. ""Celestial Bath"" is the sad and tender story of teenage Wen Xiu, stranded in the countryside after her required government service. Though she haughtily spurns the Tibetan herdsman Lao Jin, he remains paternally protective and loyal, even as Wen sinks into prostitution in a desperate attempt to be transferred back to the city. The young engaged couple in ""Nothing More Than Male and Female"" have had to move in with the man's family while waiting for their own government-assigned apartment; there, Yuchuan falls in love with her fianc 's young brother, Lao Wu, an artistic, fatally ill introvert whose fragility and enigmatic loneliness touch Yuchuan. And Siao Yu of the eponymous story marries an old man, a stranger, so that she can remain in Sydney, Australia. The translator's unobtrusive, informative notes contextualize these poignant and luminous portrayals of the human spirit overcoming vast and oppressive cultural strictures to find love, transcendence and transformation. (July) FYI: Yan, who has received several literary awards in China for her work, which includes six novels and three short story collections, adapted the story ""Celestial Bath"" for Joan Chen's recent film, Xiu Xiu, the Sent Down Girl.