The Vermilion Gate

Name: The Vermilion Gate
ISBN: 9787540452674

Lin YutangHunan Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaApr 2026

4.0

Word count: 212K words
Chapters: 8
ISBN: 9787540452674

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Summary

The Vermilion Gate, together with Moment in Peking and A Leaf in the Storm, forms Lin Yutang's trilogy. Published in 1953, it tells the legendary love story of two natives of Xi'an — the journalist Li Fei and the well-born young lady Du Rou'an — a love that crosses the boundaries of social class. The novel depicts not only the cultural landscape and turbulent times of the ancient city of Xi'an in the 1930s but also, following the two protagonists, devotes much space to the scenery of the vast western frontier and the legendary stories unfolding on that racially mixed, strife-torn land, all suffused with the author's humanitarian spirit of equality and universal love.

Editor's review

"The Vermilion Gate" is Lin Yutang's second major family saga after "Moment in Peking," once again using the rise and fall of a family to mirror the changing times. The novel continues Lin's characteristic unhurried prose and deep erudition, unfolding the fate of three generations of the Du family—a prominent clan in Xi'an—against the historical turning point of the late Qing and early Republic. Compared with the grand narrative of "Moment in Peking," "The Vermilion Gate" is more delicate and restrained, resembling a finely wrought scroll painting that meticulously depicts the daily life, social interactions, and spiritual dilemmas within a great household. Centered on characters such as Du Fanlin, Du Zhong, and Du Rou'an, the novel uses their marriages, careers, and ideological choices to reveal the fissures in the traditional patriarchal system under the impact of historical forces, as well as the hesitation and exploration of intellectuals caught between old and new ideas. With his perspective bridging East and West, Lin Yutang depicts not only the inevitability of the family's decline but also the resilience of cultural transmission. The book's depictions of Xi'an's old city, its customs and local color, are richly textured; details of food, opera, and architecture fill the story with vivid everyday atmosphere and historical authenticity. The work's value lies in transcending a simple family chronicle to become a refined cross-section for observing China's transformation from tradition to modernity. For today's readers, "The Vermilion Gate" offers not only literary pleasure but also a profound journey of cultural reflection.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the theme of family change and social transformation in modern and contemporary China
Literature lovers who admire Lin Yutang's style and his elegant, unhurried narrative that blends East and West
Readers who wish to understand the inner lives and living conditions of intellectuals in the late Qing and early Republic through fiction
Readers who prefer detailed depictions of Xi'an's regional culture and the life of traditional elite households

Not a good fit for

Readers of popular fiction seeking strong plot, fast pacing, and dramatic conflict
Readers completely unfamiliar with the historical background of the late Qing and early Republic who are unwilling to supplement necessary knowledge while reading

Reading tips

It is recommended to read this book alongside Lin Yutang's "Moment in Peking" and "Leaf in the Storm" to gain a more complete understanding of the author's overall conception and evolution of his 'novel trilogy.'
While reading, pay attention to the descriptions of traditional etiquette, courtyard layout, and objects and furnishings; these details are important keys to understanding character relationships and family culture.
The latter part of the novel involves considerable discussion of the intellectual currents of the time; consulting relevant background knowledge on modern Chinese intellectual history can deepen one's understanding of the characters' choices.

About the publisher

Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1985

Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House is a publisher known for its literary titles, with a catalogue spanning foreign literature, world classics, classical Chinese literature, essays and miscellaneous writings, and mystery and detective fiction. Judging from the more than 1,100 books in the database, the press publishes foreign classics such as Crime and Punishment, Snow Country, The Complete Sherlock Holmes and Letter from an Unknown Woman, as well as Chinese classical and modern literary works including Lu Xun's Wandering and A Madman's Diary and Wu Jingzi's The Scholars. In terms of translators and authors, translations by Cao Guowei and Tan Jinghua appear in its foreign literature titles, and the authors involved include Dostoevsky, Kawabata Yasunari, Conan Doyle and Zweig. Its publishing character lies in introducing Chinese and foreign literary classics side by side, balancing popular and serious works and attending to both readability and literary value. Public information is limited; the above is a brief overview based solely on the books in the database.

版权信息
自序
第一部大夫邸
第二部满洲客
第三部三岔驿别庄
第四部玉叶蒙尘
第五部兰州
第六部归来

FAQ

What are the main differences between "The Vermilion Gate" and "Moment in Peking"?

"Moment in Peking" has a broader scope, a longer time span, and involves multiple families and major historical events; "The Vermilion Gate" focuses on a single elite household, the Du family in Xi'an, with more concentrated narration and finer brushwork, emphasizing cultural conflict and the inner world of intellectuals.

What is the background of this book's composition?

The English original of "The Vermilion Gate" was published in 1953, written during Lin Yutang's years in America. With his deep grounding in Chinese learning and cross-cultural perspective, the author looked back on and reconstructed the historical landscape of his homeland, embodying profound reflection on the relationship between traditional culture and modernity.

What is special about the female character Du Rou'an?

Du Rou'an is a key figure linking tradition and modernity. Born into a prominent family, she receives a modern education, and her love and life choices embody the clash between old and new ideas. This character carries Lin Yutang's vision of an ideal womanhood—combining traditional virtues with modern consciousness—and is an important force driving the story forward.

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About the author

Lin Yutang Author · Chinese · 1895–1976

Lin Yutang (1895–1976), a native of Longxi, Fujian, was a modern Chinese writer, scholar, and linguist. He graduated from St. John's University in Shanghai, later earned a master's degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the University of Leipzig. He taught at Peking University and Xiamen University, and founded magazines such as Lunyu, Renjianshi, and Yuzhoufeng, promoting humorous and leisurely essays. After 1935 he lived in the United States, writing in English such works as My Country and My People, The Importance of Living, and Moment in Peking, introducing Chinese culture to Western readers and leaving a lasting influence on cross-cultural communication. His works span social and cultural commentary, biography, fiction, and essays, written with ease and verve, combining a scholar's insight with a literary sensibility. He settled in Taiwan in 1966 and died in Hong Kong in 1976.