64 pages • 2 hours read
Shelley Parker-ChanShe Who Became the Sun
Shelley Parker-ChanFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Further Reading & Resources
Further Reading: Literature
The Secret History of the Mongols & Other Works by Arthur Waley (2010)
In this collection, Arthur Waley, a renowned 20th-century translator of East Asian literature, includes “The Secret History of the Mongols,” which tells the story of Genghis Khan from a Mongolian perspective.
I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Lee Wilson (2010)
In this young adult historical novel set in the time of Kublai Khan, Oyuna is a Mongolian girl with a foot mangled by a horse. While many of her clan think she is cursed, she is determined to be the best horse rider among them and prove them wrong. Told with great attention to historical and cultural detail, this story gives insight into Mongolian nomadic life and the value placed on horses. This book describes aspects of Mongolian culture that will help readers of She Who Became the Sun understand the cultural differences between the ruling Mongols and the Chinese Han people in the novel.
Zibuyu, “What the Master Would Not Discuss,” According to Yuan Mei (1716-1798): A Collection of Supernatural Stories by Paolo Santangelo, in cooperation with Yan Beiwen (2013)
A collection of supernatural stories gathered and published during the Qing dynasty. It includes several ghost stories, as well as the original folktale of the Rabbit God (Chinese matchmaker for gay men), in both the original Classical Chinese and the English translation, with relevant footnotes.
The Lacquered Talisman by Laurie Dennis (2022)
In this historical novel, Zhu Chongba is the eighth son in a close-knit family in which two brothers raise their children and run various family businesses. The story arc is similar to She Who Became the Sun. Zhu’s family suffers. He goes to the monastery, and when it is destroyed, he ends up amid Han rebels. The author bases her novel on historical documents in addition to the official court documents and has an extensive bibliography.
Further Reading: Beyond Literature (Nonfiction)
China: A Macro History by Ray Huang (1989)
Written by a Chinese Nationalist Army veteran and University of Michigan alum with a PhD in history, this book briefly summarizes China’s vast history viewed through a Han Chinese lens. Readers searching for more information about the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties can find it here. This book also includes important Chinese linguistic terms and focuses on economic and political aspects of Chinese history.
“Central Asians in Mongol China: Experiencing the ‘Other’ from Two Perspectives” by Michael C. Brose (2002)
This academic paper discusses the complexity of the social structure implemented by the Mongols during the Yuan dynasty, with a specific focus on the Semu (or Semuren). As the Semu group is itself quite diverse, Brose narrows his focus even further to discuss the Uighurs and their place within this group. Brose also briefly discusses the Hui in relation to the Semu and other groups/ethnicities.
The Story of China by Michael Wood (2020)
Michael Wood aims this book at an audience with a Western background. This book includes similar topics presented in Huang’s China: A Macro History but provides a more in-depth understanding of China's diversity. Wood draws on many sources from quotidian life, including writings by women, European merchants, and various religious communities.
Video & Podcast Resources
The Story of China PBS (2017)
This documentary miniseries, hosted by Michael Wood (see above) describes China from ancient times to the establishment of the Communist People’s Republic of China in 1949. Episodes 3 and 4 discuss the Song and Ming dynasties.
History Is Gay: Mei Ai Hold Your Hand? Homosexuality in Imperial China (2018)
This podcast explores world history through an LGBTQ+ lens. The episode listed here discusses ancient China, from the Shang through the Qing dynasties, including how expected social roles influenced same-sex relationships. The hosts also provide extra information on the related notes page. CONTENT WARNING: The notes page contains explicit sexual imagery.
The Fantasy Inn: Shelley Parker-Chan Interview (2021)
Travis, the podcast host, interviews author Shelley Parker-Chan about She Who Became the Sun. This episode highlights Parker-Chan’s inspirations for the book as well as their interpretations of the gender and LGBTQ+ themes spotlighted in the novel such as Ouyang’s and Zhu’s gender identities.
Other Relevant Media Resources
1980 Peoples of China Map, published by National Geographic
This map gives a visual representation of where various ethnicities reside in China. (Purchase is not required to view the map, just click the “Zoom” button underneath.) The Hui people (marked in dark blue) are located in Ningxia, near Inner Mongolia.
One of many reviews of She Who Became the Sun. This one is especially helpful because it includes a copy of the map from the novel. With all the movement, battles, and multiple historical names for the same location, this map is useful as a geographic reference for both the novel and this guide.
Compiled by Shelley Parker-Chan, this is a (nonexhaustive) list of historical figures who inspired or featured in She Who Became the Sun. Most of the entries include a link to basic information about them.
“In Han Dynasty China, Bisexuality Was the Norm” by Sarah Prager
Similar to the History is Gay podcast (see above), this article discusses historical anecdotes of same-sex relationships in ancient China. Prager draws on historical documentation, such as Xia Mizi’s bitten peach, that became euphemisms/slang for LGBTQ+ people, and which Parker-Chan references in She Who Became the Sun. More information about same-sex relationships and/or intimate same-sex friendships can be found here, here, and here.
The Rabbit God (Tu’er Shen)
Although the setting of She Who Became the Sun predates the first mention of the Rabbit God (see above) by several centuries, he is a deity that ties in well with the novel and continues to inspire contemporary artistic works. The Rabbit God is a matchmaker for same-sex relationships. A temple dedicated to him is located in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Readers interested in learning more about the Rabbit God may be interested in the following resources.
“From Soldier to Gay Deity of China: The Rabbit God” by Vivien Cheng
This article discusses the Rabbit God’s origin story, a contemporary short film inspired by the Rabbit God, and the New Taipei City Rabbit God temple.
This article introduces the creator of a short film inspired by the Rabbit God and how his experiences as a gay man inspired the work.
“How Fujian Was Once an LGBT Mecca (Where People Worshipped a Rabbit God)” by David Volodzko
This article discusses LGBTQ+ history in China. It also details the “Rabbit God” story from Zibuyu (see above) and the Rabbit God temple in Taiwan.
“Taoist Homosexuals Turn to the Rabbit God” by Ho Yi
An article from an English-language Taiwanese newspaper describing the Rabbit God temple and its history.
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