Shanghai Dolls Book Club

Factory Girls by Leslie T. Chang Sunday, 17 October 2010 11:24 Written by Carole

“There was nothing to do at home, so I went out. This is how a migrant story begins.”

China has 130 million migrant workers, the largest migration in human history. Chang tells the story of these workers primarily through the lives of two young women whom she follows over the course of three years as they attempt to rise from the assembly lines in the industrial city of Dongguan.  Chang takes us inside a sneaker factory so large that it has its own hospital, to makeshift English classes where students shave their heads in monk-like devotion, and back to a farming village, revealing the poverty and idleness that drive girls to leave home in the first place.

Having never read anything on this topic I found Factory Girls to be a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of China’s migrant workers.  It was particularly interesting for one book clubber who regularly visits factories as part of her job; though another book clubber felt that there are other better books on the subject (could you write the names of these books in the comments section?).  It focuses on two workers, Min and Chunming, telling us of their dreams and aspirations, their drive and determination to better themselves. 

The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark Wednesday, 01 September 2010 13:12 Written by Carole

After my last suggestion of The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing – a feminist tract spanning over 600 pages – this time I went for a slim novel of just 107 pages.  It was shortlisted for the “Lost Booker Prize” and it sounded intriguing and funny – a prim & proper accountant heading off on holiday looking for wild adventures and sex.  I didn’t expect it to turn into such a dark tale. 

We meet Lise as she shrieks and shouts at a poor sales assistant just because she tells her that the dress she is trying on is made from stain resistant material – “Do you think I spill things on my clothes?...Do I look as if I don’t eat properly?”  You know from the very beginning that she’s a bit unhinged.  She eventually buys the garish dress complete with a clashing summer coat and sets off for her holiday of a lifetime.  Along the way she meets equally oddball characters striking up bizarre relationships with each.  And quoting from the back cover :

"…her search for adventure, sex and the obsessional experience takes on a far darker significance as she heads on a journey of self-destruction. Infinity and eternity attend Lise’s last terrible day in an unnamed southern city, as she meets her fate."

Everyone enjoyed the book.  It’s so fleeting, clever and tightly plotted.  And after some of the comments and insights from the book club girls, I really need to go back and reread it!  Though I promise next time I'll choose a rom-com!

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick Saturday, 07 August 2010 18:48 Written by Carole

World War Terminus has left the Earth devastated. Through its ruins, bounty hunter Rick Deckard stalks, in search of the renegade androids who are his prey. When he’s not 'retiring' them, he dreams of owning a live animal -- the ultimate status symbol in a world all but bereft of animal life. Then Rick gets his chance: the assignment to kill six Nexus-6 androids, for a huge reward. But in Deckard's world things are never that simple, and his assignment quickly turns into a nightmare kaleidoscope of subterfuge and deceit -- and the threat of death for the hunter rather than the hunted ...

The film Blade Runner is based on this sci-fi novel, which I saw many years ago and had forgotten the plot.  Reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, I didn’t recognise the story and many of the main elements.  Then after watching the film again I realised why – it’s a very different entity altogether. 

At the book club meeting the majority of the chat was about how different the book and the film were.  The book explores themes such as radioactive dust and genetic deterioration, mood machines which are commonplace, a religion called Mercerism, ownership of real animals instead of electric ones.  The film doesn’t go into these ideas and the characters are quite different.  Instead it focuses on Deckard’s quest to “retire” the replicants (as they are called in the film), and on his relationship with Rachael – a Nexus-6.  Both the book and the film have been hugely influential in the sci-fi genre since their publication/release in 1968 and 1982 respectively.  I really enjoyed them both and would definitely recommend them – even for non sci-fi fans!

BTW – the edition with the Blade Runner cover includes a fascinating insight into how the book became the film and Dick’s reactions to its transformation.

Next meeting is Thursday 26 August – venue to be decided (will put on events page).

Next books are:

August: The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark

September: Factory Girls by Leslie T.Chang

October: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson

For a recap on the previous book club books click here.

A Most Immoral Woman by Linda Jaivin Monday, 28 June 2010 19:41 Written by Carole

Inspired by a true story‚ A Most Immoral Woman is a surprising‚ witty and erotic tale of sexual and other obsessions set in the 'floating world′ of Westerners in China and Japan at the turn of the twentieth century. At its heart stands an original and devastatingly honest woman‚ as seen from the perspective of the extraordinary man who was drawn to love her.

It's 1904 in China, a time of political instability as Russia and Japan fight it out for domination over northeast China. Australian George Ernest Morrison is Peking correspondent for The Times and is fighting it out himself, trying to untangle and interpret the truth from the propaganda about what is happening in the frequent battles.

At 42, the handsome Morrison is dissolute, bored with life and himself, tired of his state of bachelorhood but unable to find a woman who challenges and excites him.

Life changes abruptly with the arrival of Mae Perkins, the feisty daughter of a Californian millionaire. They begin a passionate affair but Morrison is at first unbelieving, then dismayed to discover that the beautiful Mae refuses to be constrained by the morals of the time or her perceived place in society as a woman. She is sensual, uninhibited and open about indulging her passion with whomever she chooses ("I make no pretence of propriety. Propriety interests me not in the least!").

Reviewed by www.couriermail.com.au