TY - BOOK AU - Wei,Zi'an TI - 花月痕 AV - PL PY - 2008/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - Chinese fiction -- Qing dynasty, 1644-1912 N1 - Release date is 2008-04-28; Produced by Hsueh-Chu Han; Original publication data not identified N2 - "花月痕" by Zi'an Wei is a historical novel likely written in the late 19th century. The narrative explores themes of love, loyalty, and human emotions through a tapestry of personal relationships such as those between rulers and subjects, family members, and friends. The protagonist, a scholar named Yu, offers a philosophical depiction of love’s complexities and the challenges faced within societal roles. The opening of "花月痕" introduces us to the philosophical musings of a character, presumably Yu, as he contemplates the essence of emotions and the nature of relationships in an ever-unfeeling world. He engages in a dialogue with a scholarly figure who expresses skepticism towards emotional attachments, suggesting that a life devoted to scholarly pursuits is preferable to one burdened by complex human sentiments. The narrative takes a personal turn when the protagonist, after a series of reflective thoughts, finds a mysterious book titled "花月痕" which not only sparks his interest but also leads him to share its stories in a public venue to earn his living. This blend of introspection and storytelling sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, promising a rich exploration of character and emotion. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25219 ER -