A Fine Piece of Jade - Katy Phoon

A Fine Piece of Jade is a fictionalised account of the author’s mother’s experiences during the Japanese occupation of China and the rise of Communist China.The story follows Wāng Qí and Yuányuán, two girls sent from their privileged homes to a missionary school in Wuhan’s French Concession during World War II. Through war, revolution, and political oppression, the fiercely independent Wāng Qí and the ever-cheerful Yuányuán form a bond that gives them strength, though greater dangers may lie closer than they expect.The novel explores the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, contrasting those who conform with those who fight for change. It celebrates resilience, friendship, and faith in times of loss and betrayal, while weaving Chinese mythology into a vivid portrayal of Hankou under occupation.