Pisces

Name: Pisces
ISBN: 9787559481542

Xu XiaobinJun 2026

4.0

Word count: 102K words
Chapters: 7
ISBN: 9787559481542

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Summary

Double Fish Constellation is one of the Women's Short Classics series, collecting four highly representative novellas and short stories from various periods of Xu Xiaobin's creative career: "An Investigation of a Mental Patient," "Double Fish Constellation," "Silver Shield," and "The Female Shaman." These works are the most favored novellas and short stories among readers, tested by time over many years. Xu Xiaobin's fiction is fantastical, pushing the beauty of language to its extreme with a distinctive flair. Xu Xiaobin's writing stands apart from all literary trends, with themes concerning modern women, fables of women's survival and cultural dilemmas, revealing the unique spiritual essence of women's lives from a distinctive perspective. Her works are not merely about women; in a sense, they concern modern society and modern existence as a whole. The rich, mysterious female consciousness permeates all her works, which possess a very profound religious awareness, with an accomplishment far beyond that of many bestselling authors.

Editor's review

Each of Xu Xiaobin's four novellas and short stories here tests the boundaries of fictional narrative. "An Investigation of a Mental Patient" twists suspense and psychological analysis together—readers can hardly tell whether the investigator is examining the patient or being examined in turn. "Double Fish Constellation," "Silver Shield," and "The Female Shaman" embed women's fate in allegorical structures tinged with mystery. Her language is dense and her imagery intricate; reading requires a slower pace to catch the hints between the lines. The value of this book lies not in telling a smooth story but in offering a distinctive way of perceiving—examining the spiritual dilemmas of modern women through an almost religious dimension. It is suited to quiet, uninterrupted reading time: finish one piece, pause, and let the ambiguous images settle on their own. This is not a book to set down and forget but a text that will echo repeatedly in memory.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in contemporary women's literature and avant-garde narrative
Those who enjoy psychological suspense and allegorical expression and are willing to accept a reading challenge
Chinese literature students and researchers of modern and contemporary literature
Writing enthusiasts seeking to study imagery and language density

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer linear plots and fast-paced stories
Readers impatient with mysticism and religious imagery
Those expecting light, recreational reading

Reading tips

Start with "An Investigation of a Mental Patient," whose relatively clear plotline lowers the threshold for entry.
Pause briefly after each piece and note recurring images, then connect the internal links among the stories.
When encountering跳跃 narrative passages, do not backtrack; read through following the flow of language first, then return to sort out the logic.

版权信息
序言我们为什么写作？
对一个精神病患者的调查（上）
对一个精神病患者的调查（下）
双鱼星座
银盾
女觋

FAQ

Do I need prior knowledge of feminist theory to read this book?

Not necessary. The stories are literary expression rather than theoretical texts, and direct reading is entirely feasible. If you have encountered discussions of women's literature before, you will more easily notice the gender perspective and the writing of spiritual dilemmas in the narrative, but this is not a prerequisite for understanding.

Do the four stories differ greatly in style?

The four stories share a core of fantastical language and female consciousness, but their approaches differ: some emphasize investigation and psychological analysis, others are closer to mythic allegory. It is recommended to read at your own pace of reception without forcing comparisons of superiority.

Is it suitable for a book club discussion?

Fairly suitable. There are few pieces and the imagery is dense, making it easy to generate discussion about gender, madness, and narrative reliability. It is recommended to discuss only one story per session to avoid information overload.

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About the author

Xu Xiaobin Author · Chinese · 1953

Xu Xiaobin is a contemporary Chinese writer and first-class screenwriter. She was born in Beijing in 1953, with ancestral roots in Jingmen, Hubei, and graduated from the Central Institute of Finance and Banking (now the Central University of Finance and Economics). Primarily a novelist who has also worked as a screenwriter, she is often categorized as a writer of social fiction, and is known for portraying characters' fates and emotional conflicts against realistic backgrounds. Her representative works include Feathered Serpent, Pisces, Dunhuang Dreams, and Princess Deling; Pisces and Killing Time are available on this site. She has received the first Lu Xun Literary Prize and the first Women's Literature Prize, and her works have been translated into more than ten languages and published overseas, giving her a notable presence in contemporary literature and among international readers.