Begonia

Author: Qin Shouou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This is a story depicting the romance between Qiu Haihong, a Peking opera artist specializing in female roles, and Luo Xiangqi, a young woman humiliated by warlords. For their love, they suffer various persecutions from the warlords, who eventually ruin Qiu Haihong's face. Forced to abandon both love and art, he takes his daughter Mei Bao to the countryside to live and farm. Over more than a decade, the father and daughter endure countless discriminations and humiliations. When Luo Xiangqi finally finds them, Qiu Haihong has already passed away. After its publication in Shanghai during the "Island of Solitude" period in the 1940s, the book achieved unprecedented acclaim and set a new record for bestsellers. In December 1942, it was adapted into a play, which ran for 150 performances.
Shanghai Culture Publishing House published and reprinted the version revised by the author from 1957 to 1983, which became the version that was widely popular in China during the 1980s. After repeated comparisons and careful research, and with the approval of Qin Shouou's descendants, this edition is based on the version printed by Shanghai Jincheng Book Company in July 1942. This version was lost after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and we believe it more accurately reflects the author's original intent and artistic value.