Jin Ping Mei

The Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei by Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng has been a very popular read. The title translated into English is “The Plum in the Golden Vase.” The book has been so popular that many consider it to be the fifth classical novel (after the Four Great Classical Novels: A Dream of Red Mansions, Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Water Margin.) It is about the downfall of the Ximen household. The story takes place in the years 1111-1127. The main character is Ximien Quing, who is wealthy and corrupt. He has many wives, some of which he married because he murdered their husbands. This novel is very similar to Water Margin, since they are both about Ximen Quing. Also, the first chapter is based on a chapter in Water Margin.
The popular novel brought much controversy due to the explicit material. Many considered the novel to be pornographic material. The novel has been banned in many areas. The detailed scenes involving sexuality are inappropriate for many people. These explicit scenes included sexual euphemisms. Jin Ping Mei also involves issues like the ancient Chinese role of women and sexual politics. These topics seemed to cross the boundaries of literature for many people.
Although Jin Ping Mei brought an extreme amount of controversy in Chinese society, it set a precedent for other Chinese authors. More Chinese authors after that would include descriptive sexual scenes and mention issues in Chinese civilization. Most authors were afraid to do that before, but now the example has been set, and novels are becoming more descriptive and truthful. Authors can now put their true voice behind the words of their work.