The Question of Hu

by Jonathan D. Spence

Book Overview

This lively and elegant book by the acclaimed historian Jonathan D. Spence reconstructs an extraordinary episode in the early intercourse between Europe and China. It is the story of John Hu, a lowly... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679725806
• Release Date: October 1989
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.5" x 5.2"

Customer Reviews

Certainly a history and not a novel

The Question of Hu, written beautifully by Jonathan Spence, should be considered an important contribution to the broad field of humanities. However, the question remains if Spence's research fits within the strict confines of historical literature, or whether its narrative-driven style is more characteristic of a historical novel. Spence's tale about the travels of Jean-Francois Foucquet, a Jesuit priest, and his culture-shocked Chinese copyist, John Hu, blurs the line that arbitrarily divides the various fields that constitute the humanities. While The Question of Hu seemingly lacks the detached analysis that most historians infuse into their works, Spence's tale, nonetheless, has to be considered an imaginative and exciting contribution to historical literature, which in its own subtle style, provides a platform for criticizing European cultural chauvinism during the 18th century Throughout his work, Spence efficiently uses proven literary devices to speed along the story and provide a sense of suspense for the reader. Spence begins in medias res with Hu- a Chinese copyist -being visited by a concerned Jesuit clergyman. The two years that Hu had spent within a French insane asylum, after being abandoned by his own employer, proved harsh; even leaving one clergyman to comment that Hu looked like an "exhumed corpse" (Spence, 6). From this literary hook, Spence expertly details how Hu, who faithfully traveled with his employer on a ship from China to France, had met this unfortunate end. Unlike most histories, where the author's thesis is clearly stated and the sequence of events is laid out completely within the introductory pages of a book, Spence merely explains that he didn't, "think Foucquet [Hu's French employer] was right in the way he treated Hu," (Spence, XX). In this, Spence's analysis seems weak and undeveloped. But this is misleading. Spence's slight touch allows the audience's to read further into the seemingly truthful narrative that Foucquet has set aside, and for which Spence has neatly organized into an excellent historical narrative. The argument against The Question of Hu being considered a truly historical work lies in the belief that Spence avoids providing a detailed analysis about the themes that could be gleaned from Hu's experiences. Of these themes, the perception that European Christian practices were superior to Chinese traditions, can be seen throughout the text. Spence, while not obnoxiously moralistic in his criticism, does open the door for judgments against the actions of Foucquet. With a close examination of Spence's narrative it can been understood that Foucquet's racially demeaning relationship with Hu serves as an example of cultural arrogance that pervaded European Christian thought during the 18th century . Was Hu's eccentric behavior in France, in which he stole a horse, ran away on several occasions, and led an outwardly misogynistic parade through Paris, proof of his insanity? Or merel

Another Great Book By Jonathan Spence

Once again Jonathan Spence has written a wonderful book, which is both a model of historical research and a wonderful story. It is hard to even know where to begin when talking about the quality of Spence's work. As a person who has studied East Asian history academically for too many years to count, I am always amazed and to some degree jealous of his abilities as a writer. This is not his most recent book, or his best for that matter (I suggest reading "In Search of Modern China" if you do not have much knowledge of Chinese histroy, and then reading "Treason by the Book" and "The Gate of Heavenly Peace" for starters.), but it is still a wonderful read. For anyone interested in the history of China and its interactions with the West, you will be pleased.

A Good Tale Well Told

If you enjoyed "The Professor and the Madman", this book might just be your cup of tea. In both books, the central character becomes schizophrenic. In "The Professor and the Madman", he's an American officer in London. In "The Question of Hu", he's an assistant to a Jesuit scholar in France. This is a comparatively thin book, but it contains many threads: infighting among Jesuits, the Catholic missionary strategy in China in the 18th century, culture shock, treatment of the mentally ill, fidelity, circumstances in 18th century Paris and Canton, and careerism, among others. This is an engaging story well told.

A finely crafted story

The Question of Hu is historian Jonathan Spence's reconstruction of the real-life saga concerning a Chinese man named Hu. In the 1720s, Hu traveled to France as an employed servant of his Jesuit master, Jean Francois Focquet, who later renders his accounts of Hu into writing. Hu began to exhibit strange behavior on the ship's voyage to France, demonstrating an alarming incorrigibility that escalated after his arrival in Europe. Becoming unmanageable, he was thrown into an insane asylum for two years. Why? What happened to put a previously normal appearing man in the madhouse? And why was he later released to return to China as a respectable man, compensated monetarily for what he perceived as a great injustice? Spence tells Hu's story with an engaging, entertaining, and intriguing touch. This fairly short book is easy to read, a good story that will hold a reader's interest.

Questions of sanity, control, and culture.

The Questions of Hu In 1989, Jonathan D. Spence published a historical novel entitled The Question of Hu. Spence includes a great deal of historical context while telling the story of Jesuit Jean-Frangois Foucquet. Foucquet has set out to prove that Chinese religious texts were given to the Chinese by the Christian God. To accomplish this task, he needs a Chinese person to help copy some of these texts and encounters a willing Chinese Catholic man by the name of John Hu. Foucquet takes Hu to France with him, and in France, Hu experiences a great deal of culture shock and oppression because of his social status. Hu is mischievous and exploratory in this new culture, which causes the Europeans to question his sanity. Throughout Foucquet and Hus experiences, Spence leaves the reader with issues of insanity, control, and class to think about. Jonathan Spence provokes various questions in The Question of Hu. Hus original question is Why have I been locked up?, however, this question points to that of defining insanity. Was Hu clinically insane, or did Foucquet have another reason for keeping Hu incarcerated? Spence provides evidence for either side of the argument. Many of Hus actions were very rash and the European society did not receive them well. "Hu stole a horse today. Or borrowed, according to your point of view...The man [the owner of the horse] tethered his house and went off on his business in the household. Hurrying down stairs, Hu untied the horse, climbed on its back, and was off, around the town...Scolded, Hu is not contrite. He asks Foucquet why, if a horse is being left unused, may someone else not use it?" Also, after Hu was in the asylum One of the staff at Charenton gives him a warm blanket, of good quality, to ward away the night cold. Hu tears the blanket to shreds. Some of Hus actions were a menace to society, however, they were more of a menace to Foucquet. Being visitor from China, Hu had many traditions and values that differed from European culture. It is reasonable that Hu would be a bit overwhelmed by certain things he encounters in a new country. Foucquet was very unwilling to help Hu deal with his encounters and treated Hu as both a child and a servant. Foucquet became very bothered by Hus scenes and instances of disappearance. Hu must be lost. He has not come back to the Bayneses house. Nobody knows where he is...The Bayneses were worried and alerted Foucquet. Foucquet was anxious too, and left a message for DArgenson, lieutenant of the Paris police. Hus disappearance violated the contract he made with Foucquet, but when Foucquet decided to commit Hu to an asylum, he carried out the necessary procedures with determination. It took a great deal of persuasion, two personal visits, and more money than they expected... for Foucquets colleagues to feed and house Hu while they waited for four days to get the papers to commit him to an asylum.