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Adeus Minha Concubina
by
Lilian Lee
Beginning amid the decadent glamour of China in the 1930s and ending in the 1980s in Hong Kong, this brilliant novel, which formed the basis for the award-winning movie, is the passionate story of an opera student who falls in love with his best friend, and the beautiful woman who comes between them.
Paperback
Published
(first published January 1st 1985)
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It was a good book. I remember having read it when I was around 10 years old, but at the time I couldn't grasp all of what was really happening, all of the emotions, all the violence.
In the end, I was sad to see that Cheng Dieyi couldn't fullfil his love, even though Duan Xiaolao was always protecting him. Can't really say I favor Dieyi over Juxian as well, I think they both struggled and tried their hardest to make Xiaolao love either one of them.
I was really shocked though, to witness, in th...more
In the end, I was sad to see that Cheng Dieyi couldn't fullfil his love, even though Duan Xiaolao was always protecting him. Can't really say I favor Dieyi over Juxian as well, I think they both struggled and tried their hardest to make Xiaolao love either one of them.
I was really shocked though, to witness, in th...more
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This is a poignant, short novella that lasts just over 3 hours in the unabridged version I listened to.
The bare bones of the story form a very potent plot but the narrative is somewhat dry. Since it spans over 50 years and the lives of the main characters are set against the turbulent political changes in China during those years, from the Japanese invasion, through the rise of Mao Zedong to the end of British colonial rule in Hong Kong, it is hard for the author to squeeze in the telling person...more
The bare bones of the story form a very potent plot but the narrative is somewhat dry. Since it spans over 50 years and the lives of the main characters are set against the turbulent political changes in China during those years, from the Japanese invasion, through the rise of Mao Zedong to the end of British colonial rule in Hong Kong, it is hard for the author to squeeze in the telling person...more
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As with many translated novels, some of the subliminal beauty of descriptions gets lost when translators may tend to focus on literal meanings rather than implied impressions. It was a quick read with most of my joy found in the writer's passion towards the same point as the book's main protagonist, Dieyi. This story shines at the start where an animated childhood and the love of opera are colorfully painted. I would love to have experienced China during this time of unrestrained artistic freedo...more
After listening to the reviews of some online reviewers and some personal acquaintances, I was left with the impression that this book would be dull and I would not be able to get through it- "severely lacking the engaging qualities that the movie possesses" said my long time friend. However, I was itching to read it because it was so out of the norm of the books that I usually read. So I picked up a copy before my 7 hour flight overseas and spent the trip slowly reading every line and breathing...more
It's not often a book falls short of fulfilling the promise of a movie. Where the film "Farewell My Concubine" was lush, rich, nuanced, brightly colored, emotional, layered, and beautiful, the book was flat, affectless, emotionally distant, uninspiring.
It could be that the richness of the story was lost in the translation from the Chinese, or that the subtleties of an oppressed Chinese life in the 40s, 50s and 60s are just too subtle for me to grasp. But it felt like not enough time was given t...more
It could be that the richness of the story was lost in the translation from the Chinese, or that the subtleties of an oppressed Chinese life in the 40s, 50s and 60s are just too subtle for me to grasp. But it felt like not enough time was given t...more
Having taken lots of courses on 'gender' in my Latin American lit classes, this was a really interesting take on the roles of all-male theater. Lots of neat symbolism and a nice blend of eastern and western writing aesthetics (although other translations might be different). I also like any book that can teach me a little history through the story rather than vice versa. I'll probably check out the movie and maybe some of the author's other books. Seems like a good way to learn more about China...more
i have to say, when seeing the movie first then reading the book, it always fell beyond expectation. thought having it the other way around, mostly it pissed me off because i always felt that the movie is lack of details than with the book. so, i really enjoy reading the book after. i tried to remember the detail of the film, but it shortly failed me with the sad, short tone of the entire novel.
i felt sad finishing the book. tragic is more fitting i believe. it's like seeing another version of...more
i felt sad finishing the book. tragic is more fitting i believe. it's like seeing another version of...more
"After all, life is just a play. Or an opera. It would be easier for all of us if we could watch only the highlights. Instead, we must endure convoluted plot twists and excruciating moments of suspense. We sit in the dark, threatened by vague menaces. Of course, those of us in the audience can always walk out; but the players have no choice. Once the curtain goes up they have to perform the play from beginning to end. They have nowhere to hide."
Loved the movie years ago. This is the reworked version Lee put out after working on scripting the movie. The writing was rough, but the story fascinating. Wanted more insight into the characters. Does bring up interesting debate about nurturing children into sexual roles and how Dieyi would have actually defined himself if given a chance.
This is one of my favorite movies, so I had to read the book. The book and movie are interesting combo. The movie referenced the book several times, but cuts out many parts of the plot for time purposes. I thought this was an interesting approach to adapting a book since so many fans of the book get angry with how much a movie will cut out. But cutting out parts of the story, but put references, it leaves the viewer satisfied with the translation.
Estou dividida para dar pontuação a este livro. Entrei sem conhecer nada do livro e nada da autora. Fui assim à aventura, coisa que até gosto nas leituras! Mas não sei. Adorei a parte inicial até metade, depois achei chato e gostei mais ou menos do final! Não é um livro muito fácil, nem muito leve. Faz-nos entender as grandes diferenças que existem entre Ocidente e Oriente. Mas não é mau! A história é forte mas não é de fácil trago! As personagens são tipicamente orientais e algumas com ideias q...more
I chose this book because it shook me from my usual. I read this book quickly and found it very interesting. It transported me, so to speak, which is the goal of a writer. This is not a novel that I couldn't wait to read, it was a thrift store or yard sale find, but it did not disappoint.
Okay, I have to say this is one of the few books that has ever made me cry. It is a beautiful moving story about the life deep inside the world of Peking opera during the twentieth century. The story centers on a love triangle involving two opera singers and a former prostitute, providing an emotionally charged view of major historical events in China during the century of the oppressive communist rule of Chairman Mao.
Lee explores themes of survival, sex, and love and uses the transformation an...more
Lee explores themes of survival, sex, and love and uses the transformation an...more
You'll have a better understanding of how performers of the Beijing Opera were developed years ago after reading this book. Boys were selected from the dregs of society, treated brutally in the early years, and then chosen to play the parts of women or warriors as they continued to progress while supporting the troupe in performances on the streets. The main character played women's roles, and it had a great
affect on his life. He had strong feelings for a fellow performer who was always cast as...more
affect on his life. He had strong feelings for a fellow performer who was always cast as...more
No sé si seré que soy una quisquillosa, pero realmente me habría gustado que la autora profundizara más en el tema de la Opera China. Para lo que fue la revolución cultural me parece mejor Daisije.
This piece reads like a ready-made screenplay. Unfortunately the author doesn't go past the surface with the characters so the book feels like it is lacking in depth. But, what is interesting is the survey of the Chinese political weather that takes us from the fall of the Qing Dynasty to the Red Revolution. It is worth a read to experience the mystery behind the culture and the political upheavals of the 60's and on. The author references traditional Chinese operas which are worth researching,...more
Jun 06, 2011
Terpsicore
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
asia,
bookcrossing
One of the rare instances I liked the movie much more than the book. The story was interesting but I somehow could not relate to the characters. The movie made them much more alive to me. Plus I did not like the writing much.
Readable but the two protagonists were so bloody annoying I could hardly finish it.
I read this after seeing the movie. It was OK, kind of hard to read at times. I did learn a bit about the Cultural Revolution, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.
Interesting way of learning something about Chinese culture and history.
I read this back in 2001 .... In tear ....
Again, one tragic story of love triangle between two men and a woman who comes later to the scene. From childhood to adolescence, living in an old-fashion theatre group to be a legend in stage-arts performance, the hardship and suffering seems never ends. The relationship between the two men becomes the core of the story which establish a complete view of Chinese condition during Japan invasion.
(i watched the movie version too :) it's an excellent movie)
(i watched the movie version too :) it's an excellent movie)
I love this book. I read it over the summer when I was on my study aboard trip in Thailand and I was just so emotionally struck by this book. This is my first book from Lillian Lee but surely it wouldn't be my last. This book has taught me more about the cultural revolution in China and gave me an insight view of what cultural transformation really means, the struggles and the bloodshed.
I looooove this book. I loooooove this movie. I heart Leslie Cheung, though gay and depressed he was.
To be honest, I preferred the ending in the movie but the book drew me in and I could have cried over everyone. It's haunting, mesmerising and very exotic.
Read it if you haven't, then go watch the movie because both are beautiful.
To be honest, I preferred the ending in the movie but the book drew me in and I could have cried over everyone. It's haunting, mesmerising and very exotic.
Read it if you haven't, then go watch the movie because both are beautiful.
Apr 03, 2007
Alexander Santiago
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
asian-literature-history
I have to say that the Zhang Yimou's film version is far superior to Lee's novel. Though her book explained a few things, I thought it lacked the sweep and scope that I found was projected in the film.
I regularly taught this novel to first year university Honors students in tandem with the film and it offered quite a new world for those used to Western lit...
A tragic tale of two peking opera actors and a former prostitute.
Fantastic imagery. As sad as the story is, I have always loved this book. I read it twice in college for a film class.
A beautiful and amazing book. Far better than the movie (which, incidentally, I couldn't follow even AFTER reading the book).
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born Lee Bak (李白) or Li Pi-Hua, she is also known by Li Bihua, and Li Pik-Wah.
The last name is often what her English language novel translations are listed under regarding copyright.
She is a graduate of True Light Middle School, Hong Kong.
More about Lilian Lee...
The last name is often what her English language novel translations are listed under regarding copyright.
She is a graduate of True Light Middle School, Hong Kong.
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