The sing-song girls of Shanghai / Han Bangqing ; first translated by Eileen Chang ; revised and edited by Eva Hung.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Han, Bangqing, 1856-1894.

Contributor:

Zhang, Ailing.

Hung, Eva.

Series:

Weatherhead Books on Asia

Weatherhead books on Asia

Standardized Title:

Hai shang hua lie zhuan. English

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chinese literature--19th century.

Chinese literature.

Han, Bangqing, 1856-1894--Translations into English.

Han, Bangqing.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (593 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, c2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Considered one of the great works of Chinese fiction, The Sing-song Girls of Shanghai is a story of desire and virtue set in the pleasure quarters of nineteenth-century Shanghai. Han Bangqing, himself a frequent habitué of the city's notorious brothels, reveals a world populated by lonely souls who seek consolation amid the pleasures and decadence of Shanghai's demimonde. From beautiful sirens to lower-class prostitutes, from well-respected patrons to repugnant criminals, The Sing-song Girls of Shanghai brings the romantic games of the sing-song girls to vivid life, as

Contents:

Contents ::; Foreword :: David Der-wei Wang; Translator's Note :: Eileen Chang; Cast of Major Characters :: Compiled by Eva Hung; The Sing-song Girls of Shanghai; Chapter 1 :: Simplicity Zhao visits his uncle on Salt Melon Street, and Benevolence Hong makes a match at the Hall of Beauties; Chapter 2 :: A callow youth trying a pipe is just good for a laugh, and a virgin courtesan attending a party is unscathed by a gibe; Chapter 3 :: A professional name links the new girl to the belles of the family, and etiquette places a young man in the seat of honor

Chapter 4 :: Benevolence acts as comprador to help a friend, and Pearlie signals to her girl to curb her jealousyChapter 5 :: An empty slot is speedily filled by a new love, and a new arrangement is kept from an old flame; Chapter 6 :: A playful belle calls her client her son, and a phenomenal girl dominates her madam; Chapter 7 :: One girl casts a spell and lays a vicious trap, and another meets a good mate but can't escape her fate; Chapter 8 :: Second Sister retains a treasure box with dark designs, and Green Phoenix refuses a carriage ride with ready wit

Chapter 9 :: Little Rouge fells Constance with her fist, and Green Phoenix engages Prosperity in a battle of wordsChapter 10 :: A new girl is given strict instructions at her toilet, and old debts are lightly dismissed by a hanger-on; Chapter 11 :: The fire bell ringing at night causes a false alarm, and abrother-in-law on a family visit gets a warm welcome; Chapter 12 :: A peacemaker is dispatched behind the beloved's back, and trickery provides cover for an adulterous woman

Chapter 13 :: At the deflowering of Jewel, someone waits in the wings, and on the mah-jongg table, a trap is set for Crane LiChapter 14 :: A lone whoremonger meets rough company, and a gang of conspirators runs a crooked game; Chapter 15 :: Bright Pearl attends a party at Civic Peace Alley, and Pragmatic Li smokes opium at the House of Floral Rain; Chapter 16 :: A bargain for a rich patron carries hidden consequences, and a game of dominoes serves as a pastime; Chapter 17 :: Twin Pearl secretly criticizes her mother, and Benevolence Hong severely reprimands his nephew

Chapter 18 :: A lined jacket conveys Jade Tao's deep love, and an expensive banquet allays White Fragrance's wrathChapter 19 :: Deceived by love, Modesty Zhu misreads a hidden motive; plagued by illness, Water Blossom puts on a brave face; Chapter 20 :: Water Blossom, aggrieved, rages at the mirror, and JadeTao, deeply in love, shares her nightmare; Chapter 21 :: A prostitute lies about consulting the gods to find a missing article, and a henpecked husband throws a party behind his wife's back

Chapter 22 :: Green Phoenix secures a loan toward her ransom, and Snow Scent is angered by an argument about shopping

Notes:

Translated from the Chinese.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9780231529457

0231529457

OCLC:

817929161