From the spice fields of southern China to the city of Hong Kong, author Pai Kit Fai’s novel Red Lotus (Sphere, 2009) takes readers on a journey with his courageous heroines through the challenges of being born female in China in the early 1900s. Published by St Martin’s Press in the US as The Concubine’s Daughter, this novel explores the difficulties faced by the unwanted daughter of an elderly spice farmer and her attempt to provide a better life for her own daughter.
Red Lotus – Plot Summary
After his beautiful teenage concubine dies giving birth to a worthless daughter in 1906, elderly spice farmer Yip Mann wants to leave the baby to die. When this wish is frustrated, he decides to bind the girl’s feet I the forbidden practice of the Golden Lotus and sell her to the highest bidder.
Yip Mann doesn’t realise that his daughter, Li-Xia, has a strong will to survive. Despite the many disadvantages she suffers, she takes advantage of every opportunity to gain her freedom from the home where she is so hated and unwanted.
Her journey takes her from the spice fields to the silk-weaving factory of the Ten Willows, run by the sisterhood of the sau-hai. Here she finally feels accepted and part of a family amongst the other workers, but she must continue to stay alert and protect herself, as she is destined to be sent to the silk merchant’s bed when she reaches the age of 12.
Facing death because of her refusal to submit, Li-Xia is rescued by the foreigner Ben Devereaux and her life takes a new turn, although danger continues to haunt her. Ultimately she is unable to protect herself, seeking instead a better life for her daughter, who must also face threats to her physical, emotional and spiritual safety as she makes a life for herself in a culture that shows little regard for the rights of women.
The Story of Two Women in early 20th Century China
Through Li-Xia and her daughter Siu-Sing, Red Lotus shares an engaging story of spiritual resilience, courage, passion and love as well as exploring the great discrimination and injustice that women in China faced in the first half of the 20th century.
Faced with almost constant threats to their safety, particularly threats of sexual abuse and misuse, both women live in a world where they are given little value beyond the price their virginity could bring.
As Pai Kit Fai follows the lives of these two women, the experiences of other women – concubines, slaves, servants, wives, mothers, prostitutes – are also shared. There are also insights into the early influence of western culture in Hong Kong through trading and the significance given to the spiritual aspect of an individual, particularly through Siu-Sing’s training in martial arts in the discipline of the White Crane.
Author Pai Kit Fai
Born in England and living in Sydney, Australia, Pai Kit Fai is the Chinese name given to Geoff Pike when he married into one of Hong Kong’s founding Dynasties. A student of holistic Chinese medicine, he has written several books on this subject and is also a master of Chinese martial arts.
Historical Fiction set in 20th Century China
With additional notes on the author, historical setting, a recommended reading list and 12 questions for further discussion, Red Lotus is an ideal selection for a book club or reading group.
Red Lotus is successful as both an engaging story of love and courage as well as being an interesting work of historical fiction offering insights into the limited opportunities and low value placed upon the lives of women in China in the early 1900s.
Review copy details:
Red Lotus (ISBN: 978-1-84744-061-7, 471 pages)
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