Shanghai Baby

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The divide between those born in the 1970s and the older generation is stark. Dark, edgy, and deliciously naughty, this cult novel has alarmed Beijing authorities, leading to the confiscation and burning of thousands of copies. As explicit as Henry Miller's work and as shocking as "Trainspotting," it follows the life of Coco, a beautiful writer navigating her erotic affairs in Shanghai. Working in a café, she meets her first lover, a sensitive Chinese artist. Defying her parents, Coco moves in with him, plunging into a world of drugs and hedonism. However, as her boyfriend spirals into addiction, she becomes drawn to a wealthy German businessman with a penchant for S/M. With a colorful entourage, including a streetwise madame and a rebellious filmmaker, Coco's explorations of love and lust challenge cultural boundaries, awakening her guilt and fears of discovery while stimulating her sexual awakening. This provocative narrative offers an alternative travelogue through Shanghai's back streets, showcasing the hardcore escapades of liberated youth. The author’s bold portrayal of men, women, and cultural transitions reveals an unacknowledged new China, breaking through official rhetoric to highlight the influence of the West and the desire for freedom among its people.