Path of Light

Author: Francis Devoue / Zhou Hanbin / Huang Fang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-12-01
Features: In the late years of the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu Emperor, two Frenchmen came to China. One was Father Mathurin, an old friend of the Hongwu Emperor and a devotee of Chinese cultural classics, who was returning to China for a second time. His companion, Bertrand, was a merchant. Shortly after arriving in China, they found themselves entangled in the fierce power struggles surrounding the throne, involving the Hongwu Emperor, Empress Lü, Prince Zhu Yi (later known as Prince Yan), and the young heir apparent Zhu Yunwen. Meanwhile, the sincere and handsome Bertrand fell in love at first sight with Hongwu Emperor's adopted daughter, Hong Yue, who was later honored as the "Lhasa Princess," and both fell deeply in love.
From a broad artistic perspective, the novel presents a panoramic view of Chinese society and history during this period against the backdrop of world culture, depicting the historical figures of the East and West:
- The resolute and majestic founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang;
- The cunning and power-hungry Empress Lü, mother of the heir apparent;
- The brave and wise Prince Zhu Yi (later known as Prince Yan);
- The melancholic and gentle, yet weak and inept, Emperor Jianwen;
- Hongwu Emperor's adopted daughter, Hong Yue, a woman with a (heroic spirit and tender heart), embodying the beauty of both Eastern and Western women.
Although Francis Devoue is French, he has conducted extensive research on this period of Chinese history, which is even little-known to the Chinese people, and possesses a deep understanding of Chinese culture. As a result, whether depicting the thrilling court struggles or the folk customs of the countryside, the novel maintains a certain historical authenticity. The humble palace walls, Chengdu's teahouses, the willow-lined rivers of Jiangnan, and the vast skies of Tibet—all of China are vividly captured by the author, yet the work gives Chinese readers a sense of authenticity, which is truly rare.
The translation of this book is elegant and fluent, allowing readers to better appreciate this "Western version" of the Chinese historical romance.