About the Book: Set between Lisbon and imperial China in 1898, this sweeping historical novel follows surgeon Antonio Maria as he journeys to Beijing in search of a cure for syphilis through traditional Chinese medicine. Amid political unrest and the rising Boxer Rebellion, Antonio becomes entangled in a passionate and transformative relationship with the mysterious Fumi, forcing him to confront love, cultural beliefs, and his understanding of healing. Blending romance, medical history, and East–West cultural conflict, the novel explores obsession, identity, and the search for meaning during one of China’s most turbulent historical periods.