Shanghai Baby (Paperback, New Ed)

Most of the Chinese novels with which Westerners are familiar describe people living under an oppressive regime that has a stranglehold on every aspect of daily life. But in Wei Hui's engaging semi-autobiographical novel of a young middle-class woman's struggle with love, lust and her understanding of the world, the state is very much in the background - ironically, considering that the novel was banned in China for its frankness about modern life. The main plot is fairly simple. Coco, the heroine, is a college drop-out who dreams of becoming a writer. She lives with Tian Tian, an unemployed, impotent drug addict. Needing more than the gentle love Tian Tian can give her, Coco embarks on a torrid affair with a married German. Wei Hui writes openly about the heroine's sexual desires and love life, experimentation with drugs and fascination with Western culture - especially youth culture - and perfectly captures the high of being young, beautiful and hip. Wei Hui is clearly a talented writer, and some of the novel's poetic passages and the evocation of Shanghai as a vibrant city are beautifully done, although occasionally the quality of the writing flags, possibly the fault of the translation. This is a fresh, modern, female perspective from mainland China, and a fascinating expose of a culture in transition. (Kirkus UK)

Publicly burned in China for its sensual nature and irreverent style, this novel is the semi-autobiographical story of Coco, a cafe waitress, who is full of enthusiasm and impatience for life. She meets a young man, Tian Tian, for whom she feels tenderness and love, but he is reclusive, impotent and an increasing user of drugs. Despite parental objections, Coco moves in with him, leaves her job and throws herself into writing. Shortly afterwards she meets Mark, a married Westerner. The two are uncontrollably attracted and begin a highly charged, physical affair. Torn between her two lovers, and tormented by her deceit, her unfinished novel and the conflicting feelings involved in love and betrayal, Coco begins to find out who she really is. Here is a beautifully written novel with a distinct voice that describes China on the brink of its own social and sexual revolution.

General

Imprint:	Constable
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	February 2003
Authors:	Wei Hui Zhou
Dimensions:	177 x 111 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	320
Edition:	New Ed
ISBN-13:	978-1-84119-684-8
Categories:	Books > Fiction > General & literary fiction > Modern fiction
LSN:	1-84119-684-3
Barcode:	9781841196848

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