Quee Long’s Long Route Home

The Luminaries

This thread follows Quee’s hopes for a fixed sum, the loss of his gold, and a partial chance to recover agency.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Precise Dream A Precise Dream from "The Luminaries". A Precise Dream A goal gives shape to labour Quee Long imagines returning to Kwangchow with seven hundred and sixty-eight shillings.

A Precise Dream from "The Luminaries". A Precise Dream A goal gives shape to labour Quee Long imagines returning to Kwangchow with seven hundred and sixty-eight shillings.

A Precise Dream A goal gives shape to labour Quee Long imagines returning to Kwangchow with seven hundred and sixty-eight shillings. The exact figure makes an uncertain future measurable. Indenture limits the dream His employer controls much of his earnings and assigns his work. Quee’s skill is considerable, but his choices remain sharply constrained.

The Gold in Anna’s Dress The Gold in Anna’s Dress from "The Luminaries". The Gold in Anna’s Dress A hidden fortune is discovered Quee finds gold sewn into Anna’s gowns and removes it while she sleeps.

The Gold in Anna’s Dress from "The Luminaries". The Gold in Anna’s Dress A hidden fortune is discovered Quee finds gold sewn into Anna’s gowns and removes it while she sleeps.

The Gold in Anna’s Dress A hidden fortune is discovered Quee finds gold sewn into Anna’s gowns and removes it while she sleeps. He substitutes lead weights so the clothing appears unchanged. A claim becomes a means of escape He marks the smelted bars Aurora, hoping to bank the value and buy his way home. The strategy depends on keeping the gold’s real source hidden.

The Bars Disappear The Bars Disappear from "The Luminaries". The Bars Disappear A return fails to appear Quee learns that his gold was not credited to the Aurora.

The Bars Disappear from "The Luminaries". The Bars Disappear A return fails to appear Quee learns that his gold was not credited to the Aurora.

The Bars Disappear A return fails to appear Quee learns that his gold was not credited to the Aurora. The bars have vanished from the camp station, and Staines is missing. Trust turns to anger Quee believes Staines has stolen his future. His anger is sharpened by the knowledge that his contract leaves few routes to justice.

Violence and Reassignment Violence and Reassignment from "The Luminaries". Violence and Reassignment A mistaken arrest Searchers attack Quee while looking for Ah Sook, then dismiss his identity when they realize he has no pistol.

Violence and Reassignment from "The Luminaries". Violence and Reassignment A mistaken arrest Searchers attack Quee while looking for Ah Sook, then dismiss his identity when they realize he has no pistol.

Violence and Reassignment A mistaken arrest Searchers attack Quee while looking for Ah Sook, then dismiss his identity when they realize he has no pistol. Mannering intervenes. The contract continues Quee is reassigned to Mannering’s Dream of England claim. The old antagonism resumes, though Mannering promises the ground is sound.

A Passage Home Becomes Possible

A Passage Home Becomes Possible The theft is acknowledged Staines admits taking the bars and accepts that Quee is owed compensation. He agrees to a bonus and help ending the indenture. The dream survives in altered form Quee’s return becomes possible, though his exact savings goal has not yet been fulfilled. Recognition does not reverse the years already spent in service.

Before the gold is found

Late 1865

January 1866

20 March 1866

After the trial, April 1866