Season 9, Episode 3 - Charles Bush
In this episode of History Through Fiction the podcast, author Charles Bush joins host Colin Mustful to discuss his novel The Boy with the Jade, a reimagining of the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber. Charles shares his process of adapting the epic story, focusing on the character Bao Yu, and explores the novel’s historical context, symbolism, and philosophical themes. Discover how Charles’s personal journey and research brought new life to this timeless tale for modern readers.
🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!
About the Author
Charles Bush, a former attorney turned novelist, hails from Kansas City, Missouri. He holds history degrees from Harvard College and the University of California, Berkeley. However, due to a challenging job market for historians, Charles pursued a law degree at the University of Chicago. After a successful legal career, he began transitioning to writing fiction in the early 2000s.
His legal background inspired his first two novels. What Went Wrong with Oscar Toll? tells the story of a San Francisco attorney striving to save a mentally challenged man from death row. Houseboat Wars explores the unique houseboat communities of 1970s Sausalito, where legal battles and personal dramas unfold.
A young aristocrat's quest for identity amid love, loss, and betrayal in 18th-century China.
The Boy with the Jade follows Baoyu, heir to the Jia family, born with a jade pendant symbolizing destiny. Amidst luxury and turmoil, Baoyu’s relationships with cousin Daiyu and maid Amber are tested by tragedy and societal pressure.
After heartbreak and loss, he seeks solace in Taoist and Buddhist teachings, ultimately defying tradition and embarking on a transformative journey toward freedom and self-discovery.
