Shanghai Baby

Rating:
Summary: Shanghai Baby Flop!
Review: When I first heard that this book was banned in China and that it was a bestseller, I was eager to buy it. After having read it, I can't say I could or would possibly recommend it to anyone. I found the author trite, banal and narcissistic. It certainly was a far cry from Anchee Min's Becoming Madam Mao or Amy Tan's The Hundred Secret Senses. Everything written within seemed shallow and hollow, despite the overtones of sex, excitement in the big city and the world of artists. The author tries to expose the new generation x'ers of China, but I feel she has not succeeded. She has merely plodded on about herself, her deep love of Tian-Tian and the ever physically satifying love affair with Mark the Western-mystique. Whatever! I'm really not sure how the book was given rave reviews. As for China banning it...I think it was merely a decision to step away and keep a good distance from such an awful piece of work.