Boxers & Saints

Gene Luen Yang

Set during China’s Boxer Rebellion, this graphic novel follows Little Bao, a peasant boy whose village is devastated by foreign influence and Christian missionaries. Guided by visions of Chinese gods, he joins the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, confronting the forces he believes have brought suffering to his people. Through Little Bao’s journey, Gene Luen Yang explores cultural conflict, faith, colonialism, identity, and the dangerous pull of righteous violence. Richly researched and vividly illustrated, the story offers a nuanced portrayal of a turbulent chapter in modern Chinese history.

Gene Luen Yang

Set during China’s Boxer Rebellion, this graphic novel follows a nameless, unwanted girl known only as Four-Girl, whose search for love and belonging leads her to a Christian community. There, she receives a name—Vibiana—and discovers friendship, faith, and a powerful sense of identity, even as visions and rising violence reshape her world. Her story parallels the rebellion’s nationalist fervor from the opposing side, revealing the complicated human cost of religious conflict, cultural upheaval, and the struggle between tradition and change. Rendered in a restrained, autobiographical-comics-inspired style, the book offers a moving and intimate counterpoint to the larger historical drama.