The Remnant God
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Summary
This is a novel about novels, a history about history, a book of books.
In the early fourteenth century, the glorious Wei Dynasty fell and the realm fragmented. In the capital of Yang, south of the Yangtze and on the shore of the East Sea, the young Qu Shaohao holds a lowly office, spending his days tucked into taverns and teahouses, listening to street gossip and writing reports to his superiors, with no prospects to speak of.
One day, the special envoy of the state of Bodou—charged with a secret diplomatic mission yet notorious in reputation—dies under strange circumstances, and chance makes Qu Shaohao the assistant of Ju Youren, an official of the Review and Supervision Bureau. The two investigate the case together, desperately seeking the truth amid the perilous arena of court power struggles.
Over the following decade and more, tempered by such cases as the Tiger Cage Case, the Royal Clan Case, and the Palace Burning Case, Qu Shaohao matures continually—and continually confronts new predicaments in life... The whole of Eastern Yang will also face its final test: as the great tide of Chinese unification approaches, how should one choose between survival and destruction?
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who enjoy youthful suspense and urban legend
- Readers interested in youth subcultures and identity issues
- Those who appreciate intricately structured literary works with depth of social observation
- Loyal readers of Wang Ruoxu's previous works
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking purely light entertainment or sweet romance
- Readers uncomfortable with narratives involving complex human nature and moral gray areas
Reading tips
- Pay attention to the multiple symbolic meanings of the central image of the "lost gods"
- Notice how the author uses detailed description to build suspense and portray characters' psychology
- Consider how the story's core reflects the real circumstances of contemporary youth
About the publisher
Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House is a Chinese publisher specializing in literary publishing. Judging from the 808 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover world classics, foreign literature, social novels, folk literature and classic works, as well as modern and contemporary literature and prose. Representative titles include foreign literary translations such as Anna Karenina, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, In Praise of Shadows and The Complete Tragedies and Comedies of Shakespeare, alongside classic works by Lao She and Lu Xun such as Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse and Wandering. Its authors and translators include Leo Tolstoy, Cao Ying, Lao She, Yukio Mishima, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and Zhu Shenghao. The press emphasizes the translation and introduction of classic texts and the compilation of native literary works, giving equal weight to Chinese and foreign literature. Owing to limited public information, its specific series and editorial policies are not elaborated here.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 编辑代序 历史脉络与文学肌理之间的缝隙——浅谈《遗神》
- 金酒案
- 虎牢案
- 皇族案
- 焚宫案
- 尾声·代跋
- 词条注解
- 附录
FAQ
Is The Lost Gods connected to Wang Ruoxu's previous work Tails?
What is the tone of the book? Is it a heavy tragedy?
Is it suitable for high school students?
Comments
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About the author
Wang Ruoxu is an author about whom limited public information is currently available. Two of his works are included in the collection, with Huanan Ji and Yishen as representative titles. According to the existing classification, his writing spans documentary literature and suspense mystery, suggesting an approach that moves between factual record and fictional narrative. Both titles carry a classical and mysterious flavor, which may echo his inclination toward suspense and mystery. Because key details such as dates of birth and death, nationality, education, and writing career remain unknown, it is difficult to trace his life in more specific terms or to determine the exact background and sequence of the two works. On the basis of the available material, Wang Ruoxu's subjects range widely, with documentary and suspense elements coexisting, and readers may form a preliminary impression of his writing from this.
