[3] Peter Gordon of the Asian Review of Books stated that the work's focus on the characters and their situations was an influence from Russian literature.
[3] Two former prostitutes, Petulia and Autumn Grace, are among those taken away to the Women's Labour Training Camp, even though their previous place of employment, Red Delight Pavilion, is still operating.
Petulia spends three years,[4] there and develops her relationship with her longtime customer,[3] and husband, Mr. P'u, who tries to maintain his former quality of life after having assets seized by the new government.
[3] An essay in Modern Chinese Literature, Volume 10 stated that it was an example of a work that had a "more straightforward, realistic description and greater thematic openness.
[3] Shipley stated that the author "intelligently and creatively produced a story that allows the reader to gain an insight into a politically turbulent time, and has used a unique approach to do so.