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The question of Hu

The question of Hu

Biography & MemoirHistory
Pages
187
Published
1988
Language
English

Synopsis

This historical biography explores the enigmatic life of John Hu, an 18th-century Chinese convert to Catholicism, and his complex relationship with French Jesuit missionary Jean-François Foucquet. The narrative delves into themes of cultural exchange, identity, and the challenges of mental illness during a period of intense East-West interaction. It offers a unique perspective on the intersection of personal struggle and broader historical forces.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeReflectiveIntellectual
Fish Out of Water

Genres

Biography & Memoir History Biography

About the author

J
Jonathan D. Spence

Jonathan Dermot Spence is an English-born American historian, sinologist, and writer specialising in Chinese history. He was Sterling Professor of History at Yale University from 1993 to 2008. His most widely read book is The Search for Modern China, a survey of the last several hundred years of Chinese history based on his popular course at Yale. A prolific author, reviewer, and essayist, he has published more than a dozen books on China. He retired from Yale in 2008. Source: https://en.wik...