The Vermilion Pencil

The Vermilion Pencil is a romance novel that beautifully illustrates a colorful description of Chinese rural life. Its fast-paced plot focuses on the relationship and romance of a French missionary and the gorgeous young wife of a Chinese Viceroy. This gripping story contains some unique characters that complement each other. This novel was the first work of American author and adventurer Homer Lea, and it received instant critical appreciation.

After returning to his country from China, Leo wrote this famous work and originally titled it, The Ling Chee, but changed it after his publisher insisted. He later wrote a dramatized version of his novel called The Crimson Spider. It is an insightful work that incredibly portrays rural life in China from the perspective of a US volunteer.