Fortress Besieged

Set on the eve of the Sino-Japanese war Fortress Besieged recounts the exuberant misadventures of the hapless hero Fang Hung-chien who after aimlessly studying in Europe at his family's expense returns to Shanghai armed with a bogus degree from a fake university. On the liner back Fang's life becomes deeply entangled with those of two Chinese beauties - while when he does finally make it home he obtains a teaching post at a newly established university encounters effete pseudo-intellectuals and falls into a marriage of disastrous proportions. A glorious tale of love marriage war calamity disillusionment and hope this is one of the greatest Chinese novels: combining Eastern philosophy Western traditions adventure tragicomedy and satire to create a unique feast of delights.