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Crystal Boys (孽子, pinyin: Nièzǐ, "sons of sin") 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.
The story takes place in Taipei in 1971 (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.
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.
Lao Shu (Mouse) 老鼠: A petty thief, a bit sloppy, a little silly. Lives with his abusive older brother in a house of gambling and crime.
Wu Min 吴敏: Like A-Qing, was kicked from his home by his father. While physically strong, he is emotionally weak, attempting suicide after his lover breaks up with him.
Master Yang, Shi Fu 師傅: Pimp of the above-mentioned characters, 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 (Dragon) 王夔龙， 龍子: 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 (Phoenix) 阿鳳: 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.
Translations
An English translation of the novel by Howard Goldblatt, titled Crystal Boys, was published in 1990 by Gay Sunshine Press.
crystal, boys, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, citations, additional, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, august,. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Crystal Boys news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2018 Crystal Boys 孽子 pinyin Niezǐ sons of sin 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 Crystal BoysAuthorPai Hsien yungOriginal title孽子CountryTaiwanLanguageChineseGenreFictionPublisherYuan JingPublication date1983Media typePrintPages397 p OCLC818956496Niezǐ 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 based on this novel was released in 1986 In 2003 the material was adapted by Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation into a miniseries 1 There is a reference to You Xian Ku in the chapter Journey to the Goblin Cave Contents 1 Plot summary 2 Characters 3 Translations 4 TV series 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksPlot summary EditThe story takes place in Taipei in 1971 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 Characters EditA 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 Lao Shu Mouse 老鼠 A petty thief a bit sloppy a little silly Lives with his abusive older brother in a house of gambling and crime Wu Min 吴敏 Like A Qing was kicked from his home by his father While physically strong he is emotionally weak attempting suicide after his lover breaks up with him Master Yang Shi Fu 師傅 Pimp of the above mentioned characters 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 Dragon 王夔龙 龍子 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 Phoenix 阿鳳 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 Translations EditAn English translation of the novel by Howard Goldblatt titled Crystal Boys was published in 1990 by Gay Sunshine Press TV series EditThe TV series Crystal Boys stars Fan Chi wei 范植偉 as A Qing Tony Yang 楊佑寧 as Zhao Ying Joseph Chang 張孝全 as Wu Min 吳敏 Wu Huai Zhong 吴怀中 as Lao Shu 老鼠 See also EditList of television shows with gay characters Queer culture Homosexuality in ChinaReferences Edit Yu Sen lu 16 February 2003 Nostalgia for the bad old days Taipei Times External links EditOfficial Website in Chinese This article about a novel of the 1980s with a lesbian gay bisexual or transgender theme is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it See guidelines for writing about novels Further suggestions might be found on the article s talk page vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Crystal Boys amp oldid 1136226466, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
