New York: Ballantine, (2022) dj. Hardcover first edition - Author's second novel (third book) - in the story "Mei Xiang, who leaves her impoverished village to become part of Chairman MaoÕs dance troupe, or so she realizes once she arrives at the Forbidden Palace. With her cunning patriotism, Mei quickly becomes the 72-year-old ChairmanÕs lover, confidante and protegee, [Hua is also telling] the stories of the women who fought, sacrificed and endured during ChinaÕs Cultural Revolution, women who answered the call to serve their country Ñ mind, body and soul Ñ but whose truths were either distorted for propaganda or entirely excised from history." (Washington Post) Author's note on the years she spent researching this novel. 355 pp. ISBN: 978-0399178818.