Courtesans and Opium : Romantic Illusions of the Fool of Yangzhou Paperback / softback
by Anonymous
Part of the Weatherhead Books on Asia series
Paperback / softback
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Description
In his preface, the anonymous author of Courtesans and Opium describes his book as an act of penance for thirty years spent patronizing the brothels of Yangzhou.
Written in the 1840s, his story is filled with vice and dark consequence, portraying the hazards of the city's seedy underbelly and warning others against the example of the Fool. Chinese literature's first true "city novel," Courtesans and Opium recounts the illustrious career of a debauched soul enveloped by enthralling pursuits and romantic illusions.
While socially acceptable marriages were arranged and often loveless, brothels offered men accomplished courtesans who served as both enchanting companions and sensual lovers.
These professional sirens dressed in the latest styles and dripped with gold, silver, and jewels.
From an early age, they were taught to excel at various arts and graces, which transformed the brothel into a kind of club for men to meet, exchange gossip, and smoke opium at their leisure. The Fool's fable follows five sworn brothers and their respective relationships with Yangzhou courtesans, revealing in acute detail the lurid materialism of this dangerous world-its violence and corruption as well as its seductive but illusory promise.
Never before translated into English, Courtesans and Opium offers a brilliant window into the decadence of nineteenth-century China.
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Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:344 pages
- Publisher:Columbia University Press
- Publication Date:07/03/2017
- Category:
- ISBN:9780231148238
Other Formats
- Hardback from £39.23
- EPUB from £33.59
Information
-
Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:344 pages
- Publisher:Columbia University Press
- Publication Date:07/03/2017
- Category:
- ISBN:9780231148238