Shanghai Girls: Uncensored & Unsentimental

by Lan Lan, Mina Hanbury-Tenison

Shanghai Girls are famous the world over for their beauty, mystique and ability to get what they want. In this controversial and hilarious exposé, one Shanghai Girl draws back the curtain to reveal to her American friend just how the ladies of Shanghai use their feminine wiles to nab the desirable and wealthy. Lan Lan's advice for Mina covers topics from 'Starter Boyfriends' to 'Sex and How To Use It', and 'Leveraging Up.' Shanghai Girls Uncensored & Unsentimental is both a laugh out loud escapist read and a practical relationships guide. Rather than waiting for Mr. Right to waltz into your life, take some tips from these go-getting Shanghai women. If you're a modern woman looking for a rich husband to keep you in style, Shanghai Girls Uncensored & Unsentimental is the book you've been waiting for. For men, this is the shocking, must-read book they cannot afford to miss.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Self Help, Relationships, China

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Lan Lan (蓝蓝), nom de plume of Hu Lanlan, was born in 1967 in Yantai, Shandong Province. Considered as one of the most influential lyrical Chinese poets of the present time, she is the bestselling author of nine titles including Life with a Smile (1990), Songs of Romance (1993), Inner Life (1997), Sleep, Sleep (2003), and From Here, to Here (2008). She is also a prolific prose and children’s fiction writer. Awarded the prestigious Liu Li’an Poetry Prize in 1996, she was voted by a panel of seventy Chinese critics and poets as the top writer of the “Best Ten Female Poets.” In 2009, she garnered four of the most important national literary awards: the “Poetry & People” Award (regarded as the most significant Chinese popular international honor), the Yulong Poetry Prize, the “Best Ten Poets in China” Award, and Bing Xin Children’s Literature New Work Award. Currently, she lives in Beijing with her husband and their twin daughters.

Reviews

[Amar Pai · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gold digger's manual. Fairly abstract, not nearly as funny as the back cover promised.

[Ange · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that especially when this was written, in China there was basically no middle class. Being a gold digger really does make sense when your options are either a lifetime of poverty or incredible wealth. Through my work in Shanghai, I have been in homes of people who might try tactics like this, homes where there is no running water or air conditioning.

It’s supposed to be a silly read, I get it. But the lack of acknowledgment of people actually loving their children (who are used as pawns in this advice) and lack of discussion of race (in a book that seems to be advocating for Chinese women targeting white men) stood out to me as major missing elements.

[Voraciousreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the direct, no-BS tone of the author and I've definitely come across 'shanghai girls' not just in women who date, but also in people that are ruthlessly strategic in their career opportunities. Though the book isn't for everyone, for those that can appreciate satire and want to read a strong guide on the 'business side of relationships; this is a very good read!

[Hariz S. H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bitter truths; many man will encounter this kind of girls, sometimes you don't-good for you! For conservative/religious community, you probably safe; But for actively dating men this is a good vaccine for you to take, before you heading into materialism reality.

[Trissy ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book; definitely not for the faint of heart or for people who are looking for love instead of security. Good methods listed and to the point and blunt instead of beating around the bush.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit disturbing to be honest. Starter boyfriends and networking. Business over love. Not my cup of tea.

[Camila]

lol

[Kavish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Teaches manipulation..But of course you can use the information for ethical purposes.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting idea of "starter boyfriends" and "starter husbands"! Like, I didn't know what I was doing with the first relationship. I've learned some things now and I'm better equipped. Hopefully! That's my take away anyway!

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rating pretty unfair to the book. I can only assume they'e missed the satire.

Anyone who has lived in China will recognise Lan Lan and her advice.

Any man who has dated a Lan Lan will find it really quite painful.

[Karen]

Shanghai Girls: Uncensored & Unsentimental
by Lan Lan

[Michelle Lam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome fun read

I recommended this book to my brothers. Loved how entertaining this book was. I also enjoyed the real life examples. Wonderful educational read.

[Layluh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

Got me out of a slump. I highly recommend reading this book for younger and older women alike. It's never too late!

[DarkFlamingo · Rating 3 out of 5]

On my way to get myself a starter boyfriend...