Passing Under Heaven
“Passing Under Heaven” by Justin Hill, published by Abacus in 2004, is a historical fiction novel that spans 440 pages. The story begins with a child born to the concubine of an army officer stationed at the Last Fort Under Heaven. Following the officer’s disappearance, the concubine believes her daughter will have a better life with a farmer’s family. However, after the tragic suicide of the concubine, the girl is deemed unlucky and is adopted by Scholar Yu, leading her to a new life in the capital, Chang’an.
Readers will find a narrative that explores the journey of a young girl who grows into a talented poet and calligrapher, ultimately becoming the concubine of a government official. The story delves into themes of social success, jealousy, and personal reinvention as the protagonist, Lily, navigates her relationships and experiences in a changing China. As she retreats to a Taoist monastery and later embarks on travels with the poet Wen Tingyun, the novel intertwines elements of personal ambition and historical context, reflecting the complexities of life during this period.
Official synopsis Publisher
A child is born to the concubine of an army officer serving at the Last Fort Under Heaven. The army officer goes missing, and the concubine is persuaded that her daughter will be better off in a farmer’s family where she will be brought up until she is old enough to marry the son. When the concubine commits suicide by swallowing gold, the farmer rejects the girl as unlucky. She is adopted by Scholar Yu and taken to live in the capital, Chang’an. The child becomes a brilliant poet and calligrapher, achieving social success and – this is where the fiction begins to be loosely based on fact – becoming the concubine of a young government official, Li Zian. But jealousy destroys the relationship and Lily retreats to the Taoist Monastery of Boundless Contentment, until she takes up with the reprobate but well-connected poet Wen Tingyun and travels around China.
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