The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen is a quest-novel built around many exotic and memorable characters, and it is as much a sharing of the fascinating experiences and views of good and bad individuals as it is a tale of adventure. Even minor characters are strikingly portrayed. For instance, Hong, the innkeeper of the Golden Grasshopper, makes the most of his brief appearance. He is someone who "gave nothing without getting more in return." When people take refuge in his inn to escape a terrible storm, he doubles his prices. When the lowly peasant girl Voyaging Moon turns out to be a moneymaker for him, he treats her well; when she chooses to leave him, he sells her into slavery. Like Honorable General Li Kwang, Honorable Fat-choy, and other lesser characters, Hong is a notable figure. His impact on the story far exceeds the...