The Concubine of Shanghai

Author - Hong Ying ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd was reviewed on 24-Oct-2008.

Search ISBN:0714531502 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. The Concubine of Shanghai Reference Book. Classifications : General AAS Literature Humanities New & Used Textbooks Custom Stores Specialty Stores Books General AAS New & Used Textbooks Custom Stores Specialty Stores Books General AAS Qualifying Textbooks Custo . Click the following link to view the cover of The Concubine of Shanghai.

Related topics: General AAS. Literature. Humanities. Custom Stores. Specialty Stores. Books. General AAS. Custom Stores. Specialty Stores. Books.

1) Paperback Book The Concubine of Shanghai by Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd. After reading this author´s K The Art of Love, I bought this book expecting another fascinating trip into the China of bygone days. On one level, I was not disappointed. The story begins in 1907 with 16 year old Cassia being sold by her aunt to a Shanghai brothel. The rest of the tale unfolds in early 20th century Shanghai, giving the reader of rare glimpse at at city changing rapidly in terms of foreign influence and local custom. The novel is poorly translated--which is a rather large flaw-- damaging a truly gripping story. It was Hong Ying´s talent in telling a yarn (based in fact) that kept me reading a book which needs to be retranslated so that more can enjoy it. What would have been a 5 star book, warrants only 3 due to the translation.¤

2) Paperback Book The Concubine of Shanghai by Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd.

"Like all Hong Ying´s work, K is written with a wonderfully intense simplicity-it´s tough, uncompromising, direct and tense with strong emotion, but also full of poetry and grace."-Andrew Motion

Sold by her uncle in 1907 to the First Salon of Gifted Girls, a reputable brothel, sixteen-year-old Cassia is plucked from the ranks of servant girl by a powerful client. Power Chang is the boss of the fearsome Shanghai Triad. In spite of her large feet and pendulous breasts, both unbound, Cassia swiftly becomes his favorite mistress and enjoys her first passionate encounters as well as her first taste of luxurious living.

The story follows Cassia after the violent death of Power Chang and her subsequent rise to "godmother" of Shanghai. She not only seduces the next Triad boss, Huang, after he hears her opera troupe, but also his lacky, Yu, who replaces the murdered Huang as the next Triad leader.

This novel will appeal to anyone interested in China, triad politics and history, and the position of women as sexual slaves to men in Shanghai´s houses of ill repute.

Hong Ying grew up in the 1960s in the slums of Chongquing on the Yangtze River in China. An author and poetess, she is best known in the English-speaking world for her novels K: The Art of Love, Peacock Cries, Summer of Betrayal, and her autobiography, Daughter of the River.

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 21-Nov-2008, 07145315029780714531502, 360-870-270-020-831-241-8

The Concubine of Shanghai, Book, Image © Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd

Search: Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd, Book Posters, Book Art