Crystal Boys
Encyclopedia
Crystal Boys is a novel
written by author
Pai Hsien-yung
and first published in 1983 in Taiwan
. In 1988, this novel went into circulation in China
; its French
and English
translations were published in 1985 and 1989. A translation into German ("Treffpunkt Lotussee") appeared in 1995.
Nièzǐ means literally "sinful sons" or "sons of sin", but it may also be an allusion to a passage in Mencius
in which "friendless officials and concubine's sons" (孤臣孽子) reach positions of power because they have learned to live with a dangerous status.
A movie called Outcasts was based on this novel in 1986. In 2003, the material was adapted by Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation
into a miniseries, which has gained great attention.
in the 1960s (or, in the most recent film adaptation, in 1973), and follows a short period in the life of a young man called Li-Qing (李青, nicknamed A-Qing).
When A-Qing is expelled from his school because of "scandalous relations" with classmate Zhao Ying (趙英), his father kicks him out of the family home. A-Qing begins to hang out at a park called New Park, a gay cruising
area and hangout for gay men, where he meets the novel's other primary characters.
The story focuses on A-Qing's struggle between himself, his family, and a society where homosexuality is taboo.
See also: List of television shows with gay characters, Queer culture, Homosexuality in China
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
written by author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
Pai Hsien-yung
Pai Hsien-yung
Kenneth Hsien-yung Pai , born July 11, 1937) is a writer who has been described as a "melancholy pioneer." He was born in Guilin, Guangxi, China at the cusp of both the Second Sino-Japanese War and subsequent Chinese Civil War...
and first published in 1983 in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. In 1988, this novel went into circulation in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
; its French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translations were published in 1985 and 1989. A translation into German ("Treffpunkt Lotussee") appeared in 1995.
Nièzǐ means literally "sinful sons" or "sons of sin", but it may also be an allusion to a passage in Mencius
Mencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
in which "friendless officials and concubine's sons" (孤臣孽子) reach positions of power because they have learned to live with a dangerous status.
A movie called Outcasts was based on this novel in 1986. In 2003, the material was adapted by Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation
Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation
Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation is the first independent public broadcasting institution in Taiwan, which broadcasts the Public Television Service Taiwan...
into a miniseries, which has gained great attention.
Plot summary
The story takes place in TaipeiTaipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
in the 1960s (or, in the most recent film adaptation, in 1973), and follows a short period in the life of a young man called Li-Qing (李青, nicknamed A-Qing).
When A-Qing is expelled from his school because of "scandalous relations" with classmate Zhao Ying (趙英), his father kicks him out of the family home. A-Qing begins to hang out at a park called New Park, a gay cruising
Cruising for sex
Cruising for sex, or cruising is the act of walking or driving about a locality in search of a sex partner, usually of the anonymous, casual, one-time variety...
area and hangout for gay men, where he meets the novel's other primary characters.
Characters
- A-Qing 阿青: the main character, a strong character both emotionally and physically.
- Di-wa 弟娃：: A-Qing's younger brother.
- Xiao Yu 小玉： A somewhat flamboyant Japanese-Taiwanese. Dreams of going to Japan to find his father, somewhat uses old men for money
- Lao Shu 老鼠：A petty thief, a bit sloppy, a little silly. Lives with his abusive older brother in a house of crime.
- Xiao Min小敏：: Like A-Qing, was kicked from his home by his father. While physically strong, he is emotionally weak, eventually attempting suicide after his lover breaks up with him.
- Shi Fu 师傅: Somewhat the four characters above "care giver", he helps give them jobs and protection, later opening a gay bar.
- Lao Guo 老郭: A retired photographer, who keeps a photo book of the various characters who flock to the park. First one to take A-Qing in.
- Long Zi笼子: Returns to Taipei after living in USA, where he went after murdering his lover A-Feng in a fit of rage. Their story has become legendary in the park.
- A-Feng 阿凤： The wild son of a mute woman, grew up an orphan. Was Long Zi's lover, but was killed by him.
The story focuses on A-Qing's struggle between himself, his family, and a society where homosexuality is taboo.
TV series
The TV series Crystal Boys stars:- Fan Chi-wei (范植偉 as A-Qing)
- Tony YangTony YangTony Yang is a Taiwanese film actor famous for his work in Hong Kong.-Filmography:-External links:...
(楊佑寧 as Zhao Ying) - Joseph ChangJoseph ChangJoseph Chang is a Taiwanese actor. He is best known for his role in the critically acclaimed 2006 Taiwanese flim Eternal Summer, which earned him two Golden Horse Awards nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best New Performer for his role as Yu Shouheng...
(張孝全 as Wu Min 吳敏) - Wu Huai Zhong (吴怀中 as Lao Shu 老鼠）
See also: List of television shows with gay characters, Queer culture, Homosexuality in China
Homosexuality in China
Homosexuality in China refers to homosexuality in Chinese culture; which, as a term, is relatively ambiguous in the contemporary context, although many instances have been recorded in the dynastic histories.-Terminology in China:...
External links
- Official Website (in Chinese)
- http://www.pts.org.tw/php/_utility/ehomepage/detail.php?XHAENO=15 (in English)