Rating: 
Summary: shallow river
Review: I must admit it's kind of surprising to find such a degree of directness in a novel set against the backdrop of an oriental city like Shanghai. I never expected to encounter sex as steamy as dim-sum. But after an initiation in modern China's version of 'sex, drugs and rock 'n roll', I couldn't help thinking: 'What's next? When does 'it' happen?' But there is no 'it' to happen. Like a shallow river this novel keeps on flowing, but fails to reach any depth. It is like fast food: convenient enough to appease one's hunger, but too superficial to make a lasting impression.
Rating:
Summary: Not Very Good
Review: As an 1980's western punker/artist ( in the U.S.) of of Asian origins, I am just amazed by the clueless comments made by some reviewers who don't have a clue about a country and base their knowledge of a country on a self serving author who plays you into the age old stereotypes of East and West, this time magnified 100 fold (e.g. impotent male vs verile male). Because it was banned , the marketing hype calls the book "real China of today" and cool, and it represents modern China. You almost feel from the raving reviews that there is this great movement and turmoil and as if every one in Coco's age is like her. Perhaps you should see how the young really live in China, just like how the world perceives America vs how we really are. Good grief! The writing is hollow and hard to sympathize when one really knows what is happening in China. You would figure us to be more sophisticated.
Rating: 
Summary: CAMUS Revisited
Review: Reading the previous reviews, I understand their points of view. However, I'm inclined to compare Wei Hui's writing to a modern Albert Camus. Those who have read SHANGHAI BABY, should try the comparison (THE PLAGUE).Yes, there is a certain triviality in the descriptions of "Coco's" life. The "Brat Pack" of Shanghai lives! But, I think there is a sorrow for the "old life" as represented by the grandmother. Maybe I'm giving to much "hidden" meaning to this story. But, I received a feeling from her writing that I think she meant. I wish Wei Hui much success and I'm not German!
Rating:
Summary: Albert Camus Update
Review: When I read the reviews thus far, I'm sorry to see that most readers miss the existential platform that Wei Hui has based her story on.
There is plenty of "story" to keep the reader interested (e.g., sex, relationships, etc.). BUT, there is so much more and the comparison that I make is to a 2001 Albert Camus. There is a fabulous parallel to Camus' "THE PLAGUE" and the story that Wei Hui writes.
Yes, it is sad and happy, but life has so many hues and pictures to it, there is no one writing, painting or movie that can capture it all. Wei Hui has done such an artistic portrayal of life that Camus would be ptroud of.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so explicit, not so shocking. Just pathetic.
Review: As a Chinese-American woman brought up to have self respect, I found this book sad. This is the (unfortunately) semi-autobiographical story of a woman who mistakes despair and abuse for excitement and adventure. If you want a lyrical, profound memoir of forbidden love, try Margueritte Duras (The Lover). If you want to read some frank, piercing writing on sex, get to Anais Nin or Henry Miller. But this is a tale about losing one's way, and not finding one's way out -- even in hindsight. I felt sympathy, then pity, and finally disgust while watching Coco stumble into trauma after trauma, and end up confused and alone at the conclusion. Even as a snapshot of modern Shanghai, this book fails in its superficiality and narrow self- absorption. Let's hope Coco is not, as Wei Hui claims her to be, a voice for her generation. That could only be an insult to contemporary Chinese women, who are struggling with much more interesting problems than listlessness and lack of personality. I've lived in Shanghai, and I know her heroine would put Coco to shame.
Rating:
Summary: the worst book I had read.
Review: This book is the worst book that published in US I had read.
I am so disppointed American publishers' tastes. I am worry about this book gave American reader a wrong feeling on Chinese life and Chinese women, especially the people never visit China before.
Rating:
Summary: sick!sick!sick! Totally waste time and money. Refund! Refund
Review: I think the publisher is crazy. So sick book can be published here. How sick it is. Maybe the publisher never read Chinese authors'books. I really suggest, if you have not buy this book, don't waste your money and time. I regret I bought it when I saw the ads. The ads gave people wrong information.
This is not true Chinese life, Chinese culture and Chinese girls. Just a bad writer wrote her personal urgly things.
Rating:
Summary: this book is so sick and waste my time and money.
Review: I think the publisher has some problem. So sick book can be published here. How sick it is. Maybe the publisher never read Chinese authors'books. I really suggest, if you have not buy this book, don't waste your money. I regret I bought it when I saw the ads. The ads is so bad and gave people wrong information.
This is not true Chinese life, Chinese culture and Chinese girls.
Rating: 
Summary: 100% Chick Lit
Review: Wow, this is really targeted at the wrong market. If you want a "Bridget Jones Clone" with some more edge than most of that ilk, this is for you! If you're looking for actual insight into China from its younger writers, go read Wang Shuo and Hong Ying instead (they're cool)! One nitpick, though: why do so many modern writers write about writers (Wei Hui, Kate Christensen, etc.)? Can we please have some more vocational diversity? And Ibisarian, I agree with you about the cliche; Shanghai Baby would have been more original if the guys' races were any less stereotypical combination. Go read American Knees by Shawn Wong.
Rating:
Summary: A good rad
Review: Friends of twenty-five year old Shanghai waitress Nikki call her "Coco" after her second greatest idol Coco Chanel. Calling her Henry for her number one hero Henry Miller seems a bit out of place for the precocious young lady. Nikki falls in love with artist Tian Tian and quickly moves in with the disconsolate man over the objections of her old fashion parents.
However, Tian Tian dives deeper into drugs leaving him more despondent, but it is his impotency that drives Nikki crazy. Refusing to allow love to interfere with sex, Nikki begins having an affair with married German businessman Mark. Quickly, Nikki finds herself straddling two worlds. One centers on values and love; the other focuses on lust and deception.
The Chinese government burned this novel, which lead to a western feeding frenzy. However, the reactions remind this reviewer of the movie I Am Curious Yellow whose message was buried under an avalanche of publicity over a sex scene that led to big sales for a picture this reviewer found boring. SHANGHAI BABY had possibilities between the culture clashes within China and with the western intrusion including the Net, but the characters never come across as deep enough to pull off the debate over the varying values. Still, readers get a glimpse of a different kind of China that makes Wei Hui's tale worth reading for those who enjoy a clash of cultures that a reader will never drown in its plot. Harriet Klausner
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