A Fine Piece of Jade

<p><em>A Fine Piece of Jade</em> is a fictionalised account of the author’s mother’s experiences during the Japanese occupation of China and the rise of Communist China.</p><p>The story follows Wāng Qí and Yuányuán, two girls sent from their privileged homes to a missionary school in Wuhan’s French Concession during World War II. Through war, revolution, and political oppression, the fiercely independent Wāng Qí and the ever-cheerful Yuányuán form a bond that gives them strength, though greater dangers may lie closer than they expect.</p><p>The novel explores the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, contrasting those who conform with those who fight for change. It celebrates resilience, friendship, and faith in times of loss and betrayal, while weaving Chinese mythology into a vivid portrayal of Hankou under occupation.</p>