Coming September 16, 2025
The Boy with the Jade
A young aristocrat's quest for identity amid love, loss, and betrayal in 18th-century China.
By Charles Bush
In the opulent world of 18th-century China, where wealth and power reign supreme, The Boy with the Jade unveils the poignant tale of Baoyu, heir to the illustrious Jia family. Born with a jade pendant in his mouth—a symbol of his destiny—Baoyu's life is one of luxury laced with darkness.
Amidst his family's splendor, Baoyu navigates complex relationships. He shares a deep, intellectual connection with his cousin Daiyu and engages in intense liaisons with Amber, his main maid. Yet, these bonds are marred by mistreatment, deception, and overwhelming societal pressures.
Baoyu's life spirals after a severe beating from his father, Amber's death, and Daiyu's illness. His spirit breaks, plunging him into despair and leading to the loss of his jade pendant. Fate deals another blow when he's duped into marrying Baochai on the day Daiyu dies. Seeking enlightenment, Baoyu turns to Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, finding guidance from mystical mentors who help him reclaim his jade and hope.
With expectations to excel at the Imperial Examination and continue his lineage, Baoyu is trapped by tradition. Craving freedom, he makes a bold escape, embarking on a transformative journey.
Drawing inspiration from Hong Lou Meng, Bush's novel weaves a rich narrative of love, grief, and self-discovery. The Boy with the Jade explores the intricate human quest for meaning, transcending both time and culture.
Advance Praise
"Charles Bush has taken the classic story of DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER and turned it into a free-flowing, natural thing that felt more like a river than a book. An accomplished, precise work that reminds the reader that the choices we make are not ours alone, and the life we often wish we had is one decision away. THE BOY AND THE JADE reads like a classic, woven into a deeply researched culture that immediately pulls one in. The life of Baoyu and his fateful decisions illustrate us all, reminding us that no matter what we are born to, it is the paths we choose that matter most. Once I put this book down, I could not stand being away from it for long. This is a novel I will never forget.”
– Jillian Forsberg, Author of THE RHINO KEEPER
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Charles Bush earned degrees from Harvard College and the University of California, Berkeley, both in history. But faced with a dismal job market for professional historians, he switched directions, attended the University of Chicago Law School, and became a lawyer.
In the early 2000s Bush phased out his law practice to focus on writing fiction. He mined his legal career for his first two novels: What Went Wrong with Oscar Toll? and Houseboat Wars. With his latest, The Boy with the Jade, he returns to his first love—history.
Bush lives in San Francisco with his husband in an 1877 Victorian they’ve restored.