Hasu August is on her everlasting journey of writing and photography, constantly exploring the intricate tapestry of humanity. Her debut novel, The Envelopes (Earnshaw Books 2025), is a poignant story of love and devotion transcending cultural and socio-economic differences, offering readers a glimpse into the lives of individuals whose paths intertwine in unexpected ways. Through her vivid storytelling, Hasu invites her audience to reflect on the universal themes that bind us all.
What is it about when saint and devil are hardly distinct from each other in a China that you might have never known before?
BOOK DESCRIPTION
China in the 2010s. While many women seek men of means to love and protect them, Jade Bai, a former nurse now working as an HR professional, unknowingly marries into an influential government family. Her father-in-law, Zhengting Dai, is a top minister in a big city, generous and modest and implacable in his refusal to accept envelopes to curry favor. As she begins her new life, and her new job with a multinational company, Jade becomes pregnant, but her father-in law's rigid principles jeopardize the safety of her unborn baby. He has to face the possibility that being purer than driven snow sometimes helps no one. Meanwhile, Jade's coworkers uncover widespread graft that could endanger them all. Will getting rid of the crooked ones stop the evils? The Envelopes is a provocative story of how far love and devotion can go in the eternal struggle between good and evil.
AMAZON REVIEWS
“With its rich storytelling and evocative prose, Hasu August has created a novel that is both gripping and profoundly insightful. This is more than just a story; it is an intimate and layered portrait of a world that is often hidden from outsiders. For those seeking a deeper understanding of China’s social, economic, and emotional landscapes, The Envelopes is a must-read.” – Karl
“Excellent work. In my opinion, this is one of the few pieces that portray the challenges faced by elite Chinese women as they strive to balance their personal growth and the traditional expectations placed on them as women… And I love the succinct wording, insightfully exploring humanity in those imperfect persons and lives.” – Estelle
REVIEWS BY BOOK REVIEWERS/BLOGGERS
“Brilliantly written, Jade is a complex and interesting protagonist… With professional twists and turns throughout this novel, readers will love the suspense that Hasu August has built up in this novel and will become invested in Jade’s life and story in this incredibly detailed, exciting, immersive, and well-written new novel.” – Lily’s review on Bookbub, Goodreads
“This book is quite refreshing in that sense, offering us two newish topics to explore: the widespread corruption in the corporate and political arena, and the pressures of the education system…… The book offers a good story about a part of China not often seen in fiction…. Many of the revelations are eye-opening and heartwrenching.” – Rosh’s review on Goodreads
©Hasu August 