The Jade Stalk

by Jonathan Fast

At the high flowering of China's T'ang dynasty, as factions vie for power, the Empress plays protectress to the politically unacceptable Boxer, who alone can satisfy her every desire

271 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 1988

Reviews

[Richard Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dived into this little known 'erotic' novel written by Jonathan Fast more than 30 years ago, not expecting much beyond an easy read potboiler of historical fiction. And came away, pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed a beguiling tale set in Tang China, during the reign of the notorious empress Wu. The novel retells in a fictional rehashing, the story of one of the most infamous female monarchs of ancient history, who at the height of her powers, obtains for her imperial bed and physical pleasure, a handsome, sexually well-endowed stud of a hot-blooded peasant man. The show boxer of humble origins is Huai-i, the protagonist of the story, who after pleasuring and satisfying the ageing empress and winning her favour, is ennobled and elevated as abbot of the Buddhist White Horse Temple. Jonathan Fast does a remarkable job with his work of fiction based on actual records about the lives of the characters that appear in this novel, artfully blending history with tragedy and comedy. The style and vibe inspired for me, the memories of the wonderful Judge Dee mysteries written by Robert van Gulik (also set in the Tang dynasty), an evergreen series of books I adore and re-read periodically. At the basic level, The Jade Stalk captures the essence of a vanished ancient world, which I appreciate in any historical fiction, and entertains as a tale of greed, power, passion and fate. If you happen to enjoy stories in which the China of old comes alive again in all its exotic beauty, grandeur, and arbitrary cruelty and inequalities, then this book is definitely for you. The writer portrays the lead characters sympathetically; the passionate story of the empress and her monk lover, easily dismissed as another tale of lust, is in this version redeemed by facets of tenderness and genuine affection they had for each other. As the tale nears its ending, there are poignant parts for a good bit of philosophical reflection too, to ponder on timeless human desires, and the frailties of body and mind. And on the futility of the empty charade of life, true even now as it was in centuries gone by. I must admit that I was won over by the antics of the picaresque hero Huai-i, a naive buffoon whose talent with his virile Jade Stalk (playfully described by the lascivious old empress as a mighty dragon that lives between her young lover's legs) helped him to obtain for a time at least, a measure of rich rewards, enjoyment and social attainments. These things would have been beyond the wildest dreams of any other illiterate peasant born in those days and times. Oh well, in a world where nothing lasts forever (isn't one lifetime like a momentary dream, just like a vanishing drop of morning dew?), let's just say that this dashing rascal of a boxer monk had his glorious moments in the sun. Jonathan Fast had written another novel previously, this one set in ancient India and called 'Golden Fire', which I think I may be including in my list of books to read before the end of 2023. I've a feeling it would make a nice companion book to read after finishing The Jade Stalk. Most if not all Jonathan Fast novels are not offered in kindle format though. Only stray print copies are to be found here and there, and occasionally available for purchase from online used booksellers.

[Dave Haskins]

Fiction