Dunhuang Dream

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Dunhuang Dream, Xu Xiaobin’s novel of romance, intrigue, and crime, is set in the exotic locale of the Mogao Caves in the far west of China. Buddhism, especially in its iconographic aspects and its esoteric Tantric form, pervade the novel and add to the mystery. Given the rich cultural dimensions of the novel, perhaps a very brief introduction is in order.

The main characters of the novel find themselves in the Mogao Caves, popularly known as the Dunhuang Caves, a UN World Heritage Site, which are located in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu Province, China, along what was once part of the fabled Silk Road. Zhang Shu is running away from a bad marriage and decides to travel to Dunhuang, a place he failed to reach as a student during the “Great Link-up,” when revolutionary students traveled around China linking up with their counterparts all over the country during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). Xiao Xingxing, a noted artist, is also fleeing from the boredom of a stifling marriage and seeking inspiration from the art treasures contained in the Dunhuang Caves. Xiang Wuye, a young student of traditional Chinese medicine, is there out of curiosity. A number of secondary characters who live at Dunhuang, such as a collector of folktales, a fortune-teller, a local Tantric master, and corrupt officials, among others, contribute to the depth and richness of the novel.

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