Crystal Boys: A Novel [Paperback]

Hsien-Yung Pai (Author), Xianyong Bai (Author), Howard Goldblatt (Translator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Gay Sunshine Press (November 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940567113
• ISBN-13: 978-0940567115
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #719,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Touching, April 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Crystal Boys: A Novel (Paperback)

I read this book because it was in my husband's collection when we married. Hsien-Yung Pai was his professor at UCSB, for whom he had much admiration. I was impressed with the fact that Professor Pai did not feel a need to resort to describing the physical intimacies between the characters to get an audience, but relied on descriptions of their emotional connections. I was deeply touched by A-Qing's relationship with his brother. Not being a writer, I can't come up with the right words to say why it should be read. Just that when I finished it, I will always be grateful the I had the opportunity.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale that brings heart and empathy for gay culture, February 1, 2004

By 

"lilchienli" (Taiwan, but currently in US studying psych) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Boys: A Novel (Paperback)

I've read the Crystal Boys in Chinese and English. It is a psychological tale about A-Qing and his journey through which he grows and breaks out of his mold. Professor Pai touches on the family dynamics that is quite unfamiliar to the Western society. For Asians, to be cut off from our family is probably the worst thing that could happen to you, especially if you are a guy.

It is interesting to note that all the characters in the story hold contradicting characteristics. It also breaks the stereotypes about homosexuals. We see in the book that these boys are really no different than us. They face the problems that we face; poverty, rebellion, and trying to acheive a balance between family expectations and one's own dreams.

Sadly, the beauty of Chinese language is lost through translation, but the translators did their best. It is always difficult to express things in another language.I would definitely recommand the English version to those who can't read Chinese. But those who can read Chinese should read the Chinese version. It sets such a melancholy atmospere and takes you into the mind and heart of A-Qing. You can't help but feel as if you are him, experiencing his feelings and his struggles as he fights for his place in the world.

P.S. My high school was near New Park, and I can tell you that there are a very intriguing gay culture there. The lotuses are all gone, but the spirit of these Crystal Boys live on.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Draggy Yet Touching Piece of Work, July 8, 2001

By 

"-sal-" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Boys: A Novel (Paperback)

Maybe I am a slow reader, but I actually took more than a year to complete reading this book! I have read the Chinese version some years ago, but that was for a book review for Chinese lessons. Now, almost five years down the road, I read the English version and found that some aspects of the original version was lost, namely the Taiwan-ness of the language (you need to have a knowledge of the Taiwanese dialect to appreciate Pai's work), the validity of this work to today's gay community in Taiwan and the whole meaning of New Park (after being renamed 228 Peace Park).

I suppose you must read it while remebering that such things don't exist that way in Taiwan anymore. Pai's work shows us the early stages of the gay community in Taiwan, and also the sad parts, especially the deaths, the heartaches and the loss of minds. Thank god, things are getting better now in Taiwan, and even in several big modern cities in Asia. So a word of caution to the Western reader in the US or Canada, or even Australia and England, Pai's work is about old Taiwan, a Taiwan that is relevant up to the mid 1980s. The Taiwan of today (2001) is a very, very different place as Pai describes, as regards the gay community.

Feel touched, feel sad but also feel happy that such sad stories are fewer now, thanks to more openness in Taiwan today.