A beautiful look at the Ancient Chinese philosophy of Ren and how it can help us with our hectic modern lives. The Chinese character for Ren combines the word for 'person' and the number 'two' , representing human connection. And in the teachings of ancient philosopher Confucius, Ren is the study of our relationship with those around us. In this accessible and beautiful book, Yen Ooi explains the various facets of Ren and explores how this philosophy applies to everything from our relationship with ourselves and the people in our lives, to how we relate to society and the wider world. She shows us how, using the basic principles of Ren and through simple changes to our lives, we can connect better with friends, family and colleagues, become helpful members of society and find fulfilment in ideas of community, justice, morality and compassion.

Written in the tradition of classic science fiction from the likes of Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert and Philip K. Dick, Yen Ooi balances rich imagination and simple storytelling to bring us into the future of Earth and the world of Sun. The Great War has ravaged Earth and left humankind a shadow of its former self. Faced with the mortality of their race, those who remain press on with a newfound humility and strive for equality in their drive to advance the species. Hope lies on a new frontier for humanity, as newly developed technologies and a profound discovery push them out into space. The chance to begin again is at hand, but will the old fears and the old ways return to hamper mankind's progress once again? Two girls, the seed of humanity's greatest aspirations, must find the courage to choose. Book One of the Sun Series is a story about humanity's fight against extinction, aspiring to flourish, to move away from their dystopian past. "Yen Ooi's sci-fi debut has the charm and simplicity of a fairy tale, but its scope and its emotional depth will surprise you. Big ideas in a small bottle." Mike Carey