This book investigates the complex relationship between identity, performance, and the cultural significance of Xu Wei's "Four Cries of a Gibbon." Shiamin Kwa, drawing on extensive research, examines how identity is constructed and performed within the context of Chinese literary and artistic traditions. The work analyzes the historical and cultural factors that shaped Xu Wei's artistic expression and its reception, particularly focusing on the interplay between individual agency and societal expectations in the Ming Dynasty.

This scholarly work is recognized for its rigorous analysis of identity and performance within Chinese cultural history. Kwa's deep engagement with primary sources and theoretical frameworks offers a nuanced understanding of Xu Wei's "Four Cries of a Gibbon." The book is likely to be of significant interest to specialists in Chinese literature, art history, and performance studies, providing a detailed examination of how cultural artifacts reflect and shape individual and collective identities.