The Trials of a Chinese Man in China

In Jules Verne's 1879 comedy, Kin-Fo, a wealthy yet bored man in 19th-century Shanghai, enlists his philosopher friend Wang to contractually assassinate him, believing that living with the constant threat of death will reignite his zest for life. When the scheme unravels after a false report of his bankruptcy, Kin-Fo embarks on a frantic journey across China to stop the lethal contract, with his fiancée Lé-ou and others caught in a series of humorous and adventurous mishaps. The novel explores themes of wealth, happiness, and the search for meaning, set against a backdrop that reflects both philosophical inquiry and satirical commentary, amid some problematic portrayals of Chinese culture.