Book Talk with Mary Scott: Reflections on Precious Mirror of Boy Actresses

Reflections on Precious Mirror of Boy Actresses.

In this Book Talk, we will be discussing Mary Scott’s translation of the 1849 Chinese novel, The Precious Mirror of Boy Actresses by Chen Sen.

Precious Mirror of Boy Actresses, 品花寶鑑 pinhua baojian, which could also be translated Precious Mirror for the Appreciation of Flowers, is a famous Qing dynasty novel about the boys who played female roles in Beijing opera, inspiring both love and lust in their male patrons.  It is one of the most significant works about same-sex love in the Chinese tradition, and it presents a fascinating view of late Qing dynasty marriage and family life. The talk will include readings of a few passages from Scott's recently completed draft translation.