The Sing-song Girls of Shanghai

Description

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.;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 well as the tragic con. 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.