History of the Soul, written by Zhang Chengzhi, is a work of narrative history spanning 172 years, which explores the personal and religious conflicts among the Jahriyya, a Sufitariqah in Northwestern China.[1] Published in 1991, it went on to become China's second-best selling book in 1994.[2][3]
The book is divided into seven chapters or "gates", each corresponding to one of the seven generations of the masters, martyrs, and common people of the Jahriyya Order.
Garnaut, Anthony (2006), "Pen of the Jahriyya: A commentary on "The History of the Soul" by Zhang Chengzhi", Inner Asia, 8 (1): 29–50, doi:10.1163/146481706793646783
Lin, Qingxin (2005), Brushing History Against The Grain: Reading the Chinese New Historical Fiction, 1986-1999, Hong Kong University Press, ISBN978-962-209-697-4