A Dream of Red Mansions

One of the Four Main Classical Novels of China, A Dream of Red Mansions is the only novel to address the role of women in China's history. This tragic romance is brought to life with the delicate penstrokes of local artist Seraphina Lum, in her debut graphic novel. Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu are cousins who grow up together in the Rong Mansion, residence of the Jia clan. Bound together by their love for poetry, the two lovers spend much time in the beautiful Grand View Garden reciting and composing their own poetry. However, their romance is hindered by Daiyu's weak condition and Baoyu's impending marriage with his other cousin, Baochai. The romance is framed by subplots of deceit, tyranny, and lust. Female characters are abound in this classic, and range from the manipulative Wang Xifeng, mistress of the Jian clan, to the maligned Qingwen, Baoyu's maid. This is truly a classic that is not to be missed!