Mingmei Yip

Received in ebook format from Netgalley, this is a first person narrative of the 13year old Xiang Xiang who ends up as a prostitute in China in the early part of the 20th century. She learns not only the ways of the bedroom, but also the cultural arts, and rarely forgets her mother or her dead father.

Over the next few decades she tells of her life as she develops some self awareness as to what she does and doesn't want, and tries to find some peace with her life and her choices.

There is little reference to events in the outside world and the large political events affecting either China and it's only in the last portion of her life that the outside world breaks in. There is *some* reference to the physical work Xiang Xiang does as a prostitute, but much of it is couched in the euphemisms of the time and place so little to offend (but there is some more base swear words).

As she moves to each new section of her life Xiang Xiang both gains and loses something (or someone) - something she seems to do with relative ease. She spends several years in a lesbian relationship, and drops that as soon as she comes across a Taoist monk who she then falls madly in love with and spends a year with only to drop him in favour of the lesbian. Few years later, they part and Xiang Xiang's lover is almost never thought of again - her death at the hands of their mutual enemy is written in the epilogue, almost as an afterthought.

So in summary: the book is technically competent, with an interesting story that could have had some more depth around the characters and plot - there is a taste and acceptance for longer books regarding China, by Chinese authors (Wild Swans anyone?) so would have lost little to nothing in additional items being added.

Author Website… (mer)

I liked this book for a few reasons. First the illustrations the mood of the text because all the pictures have bright colors with beautiful details. The illustrations make the stories even more fun and interesting to read. Another thig is that the book pushes readers to think about lessons that you should learn from the stories. The stories each have a lesson to learn and think about after reading the story, and you learn about the culture of China as well. The book was made for the readers to learn about the classic stories of China and about their different cultures.… (mer)