Tribulations of a Chinaman in China

Published in 1879, Tribulations of a Chinaman in China is one of Jules Verne's most delightful and surprising novels. Combining philosophical humor, adventure, and a vibrant portrait of nineteenth-century China, it stands as a unique entry in the Voyages Extraordinaires — a story more concerned with the inner journey than the outer one.

Kin-Fo is a wealthy young Chinese man who has everything — money, comfort, leisure — yet finds himself utterly unable to enjoy his good fortune. When a financial reverse convinces him that he is ruined, he makes a drastic decision: to end his life. But being a man of order even in despair, he first arranges for his own death to be carried out by a hired hand, set in motion after he has had a final adventure. Almost immediately, circumstances change and Kin-Fo learns that his fortune is restored. The problem is that the mechanism for his death cannot be stopped.

What follows is a frantic race across China. Accompanied by his loyal but bewildered servant Wang and guided by the serene wisdom of the Philosopher Soun, Kin-Fo travels from Shanghai to the most remote corners of the country, trying to cancel a contract he can no longer revoke. Along the way, Verne paints a vivid picture of China's landscapes, customs, and traditions.

The novel is a comedy of errors, but also a subtle meditation on happiness, wealth, and the meaning of life. Few of Verne's works capture the paradox of human desire with such lightness and charm, making Tribulations of a Chinaman in China a true hidden gem of the Voyages Extraordinaires.