Books and Film - Explore Shanghai - page 331

and philosophers in cafés near his home in Hongkou (for more information, click here ). Mir-
roring the cinematic arts, Shanghai's authorial talents remained subdued until the late 1990s,
when fascinating accounts of the city began to be penned.
BOOKS
The True Story of Ah Q, Lu Xun (1922). Regarded as the father of modern Chinese literat-
ure, Shanghai-born Lu Xun's gripping tale is essential for understanding the nation's complex
contemporary culture.
Western Architecture in Shanghai: A Last Look, Tess Johnston and Deke Erh (2004).
Beautifully photographed coffee-table tome chronicling the origins and architects of Shang-
hai's rich portfolio of early 20th century villas, mansions and apartment buildings.
Carl Crow - A Tough Old China Hand, Paul French (2006). Fascinating story of an Americ-
an journalist, ad-man and business networker who became a ubiquitous feature of Shanghai
society during the 1920s and 30s.
Inspector Chen Series, Qiu Xiaolong. This 'page-turner' mystery series follows the
Chinese poetry-loving Inspector Chen, who trails his suspects through gritty Shanghai
streets. Death of a Red Heroine and When Red is Black are two of the best tales.
The Valley of Amazement, Amy Tan (2013). This tale of several women's intertwined fates
begins in a Shanghai courtesan house as the Qing dynasty is being overthrown.
Old Shanghai: Gangsters in Paradise , Lynn Pan (1984). Historian Lynn Pan explores
Shanghai's shady underworld characters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who influ-
enced the development of the city.
Life and Death in Shanghai , Nien Cheng (1995). A chilling insight into life and society dur-
ing Mao's Cultural Revolution, when the author was accused of espionage and jailed.
Man's Fate , André Malraux (1990). Haunting novel about Shanghai's 'White Terror' in 1927
when Chiang Kai-shek and the Green Gang massacred the city's communists.
The Boat to Redemption , Su Tong (2011). Winner of the 2009 Man Asian Literary Prize, Su
Tong grew up in neighbouring Suzhou. This political fable tells of a disgraced Party official
who starts a new life with his teenage son on a barge fleet.
Phantom Shanghai , Greg Girad (2007). Peerless photographic collection of Shanghai's old
neighbourhoods and buildings that have been dismantled and replaced by the city's new vis-
ion of cosmopolitan living.
Five Star Billionaire , Tash Aw (2013). Set in today's Shanghai, this sharp allegory of mod-
ern life charts the stories of five Malaysians magnetised by the allure of China's wealthiest,
most hedonistic city.
FILM