When The Moon Opera by Bi Feiyu opens Xiao Yanqiu, elegant star of the troupe, disfigures her understudy by throwing a cup of boiling water into her face. This action shuts down the production of the opera and for a second time The Moon Opera is stopped from being performed. Xiao Yanqui is disgraced and retires to teaching and marriage to an average working man. Twenty years later, a tobacco factory manager wants to sponsor a production of The Moon Opera and insists that he wants his idol, Xiao Yanqui, to play the lead role of Chang’e, the moon goddess, or he will withdraw his financial support for the production. Will the third attempt actually result in getting this opera in front of an audience? Will Xiao at forty, and being away from the stage for twenty years, be able to perform the intricate songs and most importantly, how will Xiao react to her understudy?

While the reader is engaged in following Xiao as she becomes the immortal moon goddess, both on and off the stage, this novel takes you behind the scenes into the world of the Peking opera and the interconnection of art and commerce in the Chinese culture. The glossary at the back of the book helps the reader understand the terms and roles of a Chinese opera troupe.

This is an engaging story that can easily be enjoyed in one reading. The language while spare is descriptive. As I read this book it was like watching a Chinese movie unfold, and my emotions ranged from being curious to sympathetic to pity for Xiao. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about Chinese opera or any reader that would like to escape into a world that is not well known.

Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO BookClub

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