What do you think?
Rate this book
Loto
Inspirada en la vida de la abuela de la autora, Loto nos muestra la trayectoria de una joven que trata de abrirse camino en "la ciudad del pecado" china.
En China, la palabra prostitución es turbia y fea». Nadie habla del tema, pues aparte de ser ilegal es un tema tabú, pero afecta las vidas de millones de jóvenes. Son repudiadas por la sociedad, maltratadas y agredidas por clientes y policías que, en ocasiones, son la misma persona. Zhang logra atrapar al lector con la conmovedora vida de Loto, una joven prostituta en Shenzhen, la ciudad del pecado. Conoceremos sus orígenes, cómo abandonó su pueblo para ir a trabajar a una fábrica en la ciudad y así pagar los estudios universitarios de su hermano pequeño y cómo acabó convirtiéndose en prostituta. Nos hará llorar y reír, y de su mano conoceremos los entresijos del día a día de un salón de masajes con unos personajes que no podremos olvidar fácilmente.
En China, la palabra prostitución es turbia y fea». Nadie habla del tema, pues aparte de ser ilegal es un tema tabú, pero afecta las vidas de millones de jóvenes. Son repudiadas por la sociedad, maltratadas y agredidas por clientes y policías que, en ocasiones, son la misma persona. Zhang logra atrapar al lector con la conmovedora vida de Loto, una joven prostituta en Shenzhen, la ciudad del pecado. Conoceremos sus orígenes, cómo abandonó su pueblo para ir a trabajar a una fábrica en la ciudad y así pagar los estudios universitarios de su hermano pequeño y cómo acabó convirtiéndose en prostituta. Nos hará llorar y reír, y de su mano conoceremos los entresijos del día a día de un salón de masajes con unos personajes que no podremos olvidar fácilmente.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2017
84 people are currently reading
2643 people want to read
About the author
Lijia Zhang
5 books70 followersI am a rocket-factory-worker turned writer and social commentator. I grew up at a worker’s residential compound in Nanjing, on the bank of Yangtze River. Excelling at school, I dreamed of going to university and becoming a journalist and a writer. But at 16, I was taken out of school and put to work at my mother’s factory that produced inter-continental missiles, capable of reaching North America. Bored to death from greasing machine parts, I sought escape and enlightenment in reading and writing and began to teach myself English.
After a decade at the factory, I managed to leave China for England where my childhood dream stirred. I studied journalism. When I returned to China three years later, I started my career by assisting foreign correspondents before becoming a journalist myself.
In 1999, I co-authored China Remembers, a well-received history of contemporary China for Oxford University Press, which whetted my appetite for book writing.
My memoir “Socialism is Great!”: A Worker’s Memoir of New China was first published by Atlas and Co. in spring 2008 and then by Random House in May, 2009. It has been translated into various languages around the world and met with wide critical acclaim.
Inspired by the revelation from my grandma on her deathbed, I went on to write the novel Lotus. It follows a young prostitute in Shenzhen, known as ‘China’s capital of sins’. For me, prostitution is just an interesting widow to observe social tensions brought by the reforms and opening up police in recent decades, such as the rural-urban divide, the growing gender inequality and the tug of war between the tradition and the modernity.
Based in Beijing, I am one of the few Chinese writers and social commentators who write in English for international publications.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 158 reviews
October 21, 2016
Lotus is a young prostitute, working in China. This is a contemporary story portraying the life of prostitution of China today. Prostitution is illegal. Pictures of 'Ji' are not seen publicly anywhere. "It was as if the countries estimated 10 million working girls didn't exist".
At the beginning -- the first day of the millennium, Lotus is away from the massage parlor where she works day in and day out, taking in the beauty of city of Shenzhen, just north of Hong Kong looking at the skyscrapers. ( an area she has never set foot in the three years of living in the city until tonight), when she gets picked up by a policeman and ordered into a vehicle. She's been arrested and taken to a detention center. She calls a man she respects name Bing--a freelance photographer--to act as her guarantor. Bing was able to drive her back home.
Lotus liked Bing but couldn't figure him out and didn't know to trust him. He didn't touch the girls... but he did asked to take photos of them for a documentary on prostitution. Lotus refused to be photographed. However, after the night, that Bing, rescued her from the detention facility, she stepped forward willing to have Bing take pictures of her.
The girls living at the massage parlor were of different ages, shapes and sizes, and levels of experience. My stomach turned a few times at the things these girls laughed at together --their nonchalant "locker room" talk. Lotus was a little different than the other girls. Her chest would would fill with filth with an urge to spit when the other laughed at the men's sex performances...( getting graphic with details).
The girls had their daily schedule at the massage parlor. They took turns cooking, and after lunch they would often take a nap in the massage room, keeping their own rooms in the back free for any odd customers who might roll in. The parlor opened at noon.
During free time they played mah-jongg or watched soap operas. By 4pm, they were instructed to stand outside on display, dressed up, painted, ready for sale.
Lotus lost her mother to cancer when she was 12. So, we wondered how much that death contributed to the choice Lotus made when she first joined this profession.
We are taken into the bedroom with her and clients. We take a journey with her during pleasurable experiences and humiliating ones.
There are several characters....Little Jade, Xia, Mimi, Moon, etc. Lotus herself never really learned how to massage properly, let alone in the Thai style which was advertised in their front window... but few customers ever complained.
Bing is educated - He had won a Kodak award at one point -- but he was looking for meaning with his life. He grew curious about the girls he photographed. How did they end up that way? Did they have any moral qualms about their profession? It was at this point that he decided to undertake a photo documentary on prostitutes, not on high class ones, but those on the lower end of the ranks who made the majority of the working girls.
There is so much in this novel - from pregnancy- abortion- wives - ex-wives- dating and dining- University- and education - 5 star hotels - nightclubs- attire - friendships - etc. Reading about the commercial sex scenes in this novel taps into your thoughts and emotions. How can it not? It brought much more awareness to me at how many girls 'choose' this life. I find it so sad.
Lijja Zhang did an excellent job 'storytelling' a very sensitive topic. The characters are are well developed. I think it might have benefited with a little editing --but it's an engaging read. Disturbing and hopeful.
Thankful to Henry Holt & Company, Netgalley, and Lijja Zhang
At the beginning -- the first day of the millennium, Lotus is away from the massage parlor where she works day in and day out, taking in the beauty of city of Shenzhen, just north of Hong Kong looking at the skyscrapers. ( an area she has never set foot in the three years of living in the city until tonight), when she gets picked up by a policeman and ordered into a vehicle. She's been arrested and taken to a detention center. She calls a man she respects name Bing--a freelance photographer--to act as her guarantor. Bing was able to drive her back home.
Lotus liked Bing but couldn't figure him out and didn't know to trust him. He didn't touch the girls... but he did asked to take photos of them for a documentary on prostitution. Lotus refused to be photographed. However, after the night, that Bing, rescued her from the detention facility, she stepped forward willing to have Bing take pictures of her.
The girls living at the massage parlor were of different ages, shapes and sizes, and levels of experience. My stomach turned a few times at the things these girls laughed at together --their nonchalant "locker room" talk. Lotus was a little different than the other girls. Her chest would would fill with filth with an urge to spit when the other laughed at the men's sex performances...( getting graphic with details).
The girls had their daily schedule at the massage parlor. They took turns cooking, and after lunch they would often take a nap in the massage room, keeping their own rooms in the back free for any odd customers who might roll in. The parlor opened at noon.
During free time they played mah-jongg or watched soap operas. By 4pm, they were instructed to stand outside on display, dressed up, painted, ready for sale.
Lotus lost her mother to cancer when she was 12. So, we wondered how much that death contributed to the choice Lotus made when she first joined this profession.
We are taken into the bedroom with her and clients. We take a journey with her during pleasurable experiences and humiliating ones.
There are several characters....Little Jade, Xia, Mimi, Moon, etc. Lotus herself never really learned how to massage properly, let alone in the Thai style which was advertised in their front window... but few customers ever complained.
Bing is educated - He had won a Kodak award at one point -- but he was looking for meaning with his life. He grew curious about the girls he photographed. How did they end up that way? Did they have any moral qualms about their profession? It was at this point that he decided to undertake a photo documentary on prostitutes, not on high class ones, but those on the lower end of the ranks who made the majority of the working girls.
There is so much in this novel - from pregnancy- abortion- wives - ex-wives- dating and dining- University- and education - 5 star hotels - nightclubs- attire - friendships - etc. Reading about the commercial sex scenes in this novel taps into your thoughts and emotions. How can it not? It brought much more awareness to me at how many girls 'choose' this life. I find it so sad.
Lijja Zhang did an excellent job 'storytelling' a very sensitive topic. The characters are are well developed. I think it might have benefited with a little editing --but it's an engaging read. Disturbing and hopeful.
Thankful to Henry Holt & Company, Netgalley, and Lijja Zhang
November 3, 2016
Lotus has left her rural village of Sichuan during Spring Festival 1995, in search of a better life. She refuses to comply with a fixed marriage choosing instead to seek employment in the city. She is ill equipped for this new life since she is an uneducated migrant unfamiliar with the mores of urban city employees. She wants to make money to send home proving that city dwelling has been worthwhile.
Lotus's first job is gluing shoes in a shoe factory. Upon the death of her cousin, Little Red, when her windowless factory is engulfed in flames, Lotus seeks different employment opportunities. She finds a job at Moonflower Massage Parlor in Shenzhen, a coastal town north of Hong Kong. Although quiet and reserved, she is pulled into a prostitute or "ji" way of life. This is a way to survive, fulfill a filial duty and earn respect and admiration by supplying funds for her younger brother's university education. Her family is under the impression she works at a high scale restaurant.
Lotus finds camaraderie with Mimi, Little Jade and Xia, fellow "ji's" as they stand outside Moonflower Massage Parlor,night after night, offering massages and much more. Police raids abound. Lotus herself is jailed but finds a guarantor in Hu Bibing. "Bing" would like to make a photo documentary on the working girls of Shenzhen. Lotus complies, allowing him full access and becomes Girl A, the face of the lower class working girl. Bing decides to live among the "ji" to capture their stories and photograph their daily lives. He wonders how prostitutes end up this way. Do they have morality issues? Can they rise above this bitter life, develop self esteem, and change the trajectory of their lives?
Jijia Zhang's tome "Lotus" was inspired by her grandmother's deathbed confession that she was sold to a brothel. Lotus has secrets. She has dreams. Can a "ji" ever return to a normal life? Lotus explores the possibility. A heartfelt, engaging book.
Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Lotus".
Lotus's first job is gluing shoes in a shoe factory. Upon the death of her cousin, Little Red, when her windowless factory is engulfed in flames, Lotus seeks different employment opportunities. She finds a job at Moonflower Massage Parlor in Shenzhen, a coastal town north of Hong Kong. Although quiet and reserved, she is pulled into a prostitute or "ji" way of life. This is a way to survive, fulfill a filial duty and earn respect and admiration by supplying funds for her younger brother's university education. Her family is under the impression she works at a high scale restaurant.
Lotus finds camaraderie with Mimi, Little Jade and Xia, fellow "ji's" as they stand outside Moonflower Massage Parlor,night after night, offering massages and much more. Police raids abound. Lotus herself is jailed but finds a guarantor in Hu Bibing. "Bing" would like to make a photo documentary on the working girls of Shenzhen. Lotus complies, allowing him full access and becomes Girl A, the face of the lower class working girl. Bing decides to live among the "ji" to capture their stories and photograph their daily lives. He wonders how prostitutes end up this way. Do they have morality issues? Can they rise above this bitter life, develop self esteem, and change the trajectory of their lives?
Jijia Zhang's tome "Lotus" was inspired by her grandmother's deathbed confession that she was sold to a brothel. Lotus has secrets. She has dreams. Can a "ji" ever return to a normal life? Lotus explores the possibility. A heartfelt, engaging book.
Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Lotus".
September 28, 2024
Turbūt turėjo būti dokumentiškai gilu ir ašaringa...
Deja, tarsi žiurėtum pro stiklą: gali matyti, bet be sąlygos jausti, nesukeliamas tam poreikis. Istorija tiesiog nuraibuliuoja paviršiumi.
Deja, tarsi žiurėtum pro stiklą: gali matyti, bet be sąlygos jausti, nesukeliamas tam poreikis. Istorija tiesiog nuraibuliuoja paviršiumi.
June 26, 2019
I was warily excited about Lotus by Lijia Zhang when I first began. It’s a piece of historical fiction about a prostitute named Lotus who is trying to support her family back home and a photographer named Bing recording the story of migrant sex workers. I was excited, then slowly but surely disappointed, with some high points, by the end of the novel. I was sent a copy of this novel by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have to admit, I wasn’t pleased by the twists and turns this book took.
This book had a lot of potential. Zhang embraces the historical fiction novel. While she sometimes adds in somewhat annoyingly direct sentences of explanation for the reader, I thought that for the most part she did an excellent job of using Chinese phraseology, and twisting in the history through her characters’ storylines without it being awkward. Her imagery was good, from her descriptions of food to curling smoke and characters’ movements. Bing and Lotus both had the potential to be intriguing, complex characters, and the exploration of the migrant worker and sex worker experience was fascinating and detailed.
I think we can track my many problems with the novel by following along in the awkward Goodreads summary of Lotus that I had hoped wouldn’t be quite accurate. For example: “Her striking eyes catch the attention of many, but Lotus weighs her options between becoming the concubine of a savvy migrant worker or a professional girlfriend to a rich and powerful playboy. Or she may choose the kind and decent Hu Binbing, a photojournalist reporting on China’s underground sex trade—who has a hidden past of his own.” It reads like a YA love triangle, not the story of a sex worker trying to support her family, particularly her younger brother who wants to go to university, any way she can. It begins there but actually unfortunately does go where the blurb suggests. That worker is stable, the playboy makes her orgasm, and Bing is cute and her friend (although the first time he approaches her, she’s horrified because she wanted them to just be friends. Worth noting.) The entire book I thought that their love was forced and ugly. Not to mention that Bing lies constantly to Lotus and almost never encounters consequences, while Lotus apologizes often for things that aren’t nearly as much her fault. “Is Lotus willing to fall in love?” asks the blurb. “Is she capable of it?” I honestly don’t care. I wish so much that this novel ended the way it began: Lotus and Bing as friends, Lotus trying to escape a job that’s dangerous while continuing to support her family. Despite the argument that this book ends in some sort of independence for Lotus, most of the book is spent with Lotus deciding which man she’ll lean on for assistance.
Then there’s this: “She’s different than the other streetwalkers—reserved, even defiant, Lotus holds her secrets behind her red smile.” Ugh. Honestly. Again, it begins with Lotus as a complex, normal person. Bing sees her as the golden-hearted prostitute, the one he can save. Unfortunately, that’s sort of what happens. Lotus becomes this symbol of purity, wearing white, children-associated, moving closer to Buddhism… She becomes alienated from the other prostitutes. This book had a chance to really benefit from the interesting and distinct female characters that Zhang creates. Yet instead, it dovetails into a lot of woman-hate. Lotus vs. Bing’s ex-wife, Lotus vs. Bing’s ex-lover, Bing vs. her cousin… And then there’s the other thing. Her “secrets.” (TW: Sexual assault.) So about halfway through the book, Lotus thinks (in her head) about the shame of losing her virginity when drugged and raped, and how that’s how she ending up entering the sex worker world. But I was confused. Earlier in the novel I read that she had sex with someone in the factory earlier in her life than that? Oh well. I let it go. Then, late in the book, she admits to Bing that she was never raped (sigh), and that she lost her virginity earlier (I know), and that she entered the sex worker business willingly and apparently should apologize to Bing for that. And Bing accepts and thinks to himself that he had already doubted her story? What? I was disappointed with every part of this storyline.
I read the blurb and was worried about this book. I read the first 150 pages and was actually really excited. It looked like the novel wasn’t following the implications of the blurbs after all. And then it dissolved. It’s a shame, because there’s a lot of good novel in there, in the historical fiction, in the stories of Bing and Lotus’s pasts, in the lives of the sex workers and how they all got to this point in their lives. But it just got lost.
This book had a lot of potential. Zhang embraces the historical fiction novel. While she sometimes adds in somewhat annoyingly direct sentences of explanation for the reader, I thought that for the most part she did an excellent job of using Chinese phraseology, and twisting in the history through her characters’ storylines without it being awkward. Her imagery was good, from her descriptions of food to curling smoke and characters’ movements. Bing and Lotus both had the potential to be intriguing, complex characters, and the exploration of the migrant worker and sex worker experience was fascinating and detailed.
I think we can track my many problems with the novel by following along in the awkward Goodreads summary of Lotus that I had hoped wouldn’t be quite accurate. For example: “Her striking eyes catch the attention of many, but Lotus weighs her options between becoming the concubine of a savvy migrant worker or a professional girlfriend to a rich and powerful playboy. Or she may choose the kind and decent Hu Binbing, a photojournalist reporting on China’s underground sex trade—who has a hidden past of his own.” It reads like a YA love triangle, not the story of a sex worker trying to support her family, particularly her younger brother who wants to go to university, any way she can. It begins there but actually unfortunately does go where the blurb suggests. That worker is stable, the playboy makes her orgasm, and Bing is cute and her friend (although the first time he approaches her, she’s horrified because she wanted them to just be friends. Worth noting.) The entire book I thought that their love was forced and ugly. Not to mention that Bing lies constantly to Lotus and almost never encounters consequences, while Lotus apologizes often for things that aren’t nearly as much her fault. “Is Lotus willing to fall in love?” asks the blurb. “Is she capable of it?” I honestly don’t care. I wish so much that this novel ended the way it began: Lotus and Bing as friends, Lotus trying to escape a job that’s dangerous while continuing to support her family. Despite the argument that this book ends in some sort of independence for Lotus, most of the book is spent with Lotus deciding which man she’ll lean on for assistance.
Then there’s this: “She’s different than the other streetwalkers—reserved, even defiant, Lotus holds her secrets behind her red smile.” Ugh. Honestly. Again, it begins with Lotus as a complex, normal person. Bing sees her as the golden-hearted prostitute, the one he can save. Unfortunately, that’s sort of what happens. Lotus becomes this symbol of purity, wearing white, children-associated, moving closer to Buddhism… She becomes alienated from the other prostitutes. This book had a chance to really benefit from the interesting and distinct female characters that Zhang creates. Yet instead, it dovetails into a lot of woman-hate. Lotus vs. Bing’s ex-wife, Lotus vs. Bing’s ex-lover, Bing vs. her cousin… And then there’s the other thing. Her “secrets.” (TW: Sexual assault.) So about halfway through the book, Lotus thinks (in her head) about the shame of losing her virginity when drugged and raped, and how that’s how she ending up entering the sex worker world. But I was confused. Earlier in the novel I read that she had sex with someone in the factory earlier in her life than that? Oh well. I let it go. Then, late in the book, she admits to Bing that she was never raped (sigh), and that she lost her virginity earlier (I know), and that she entered the sex worker business willingly and apparently should apologize to Bing for that. And Bing accepts and thinks to himself that he had already doubted her story? What? I was disappointed with every part of this storyline.
I read the blurb and was worried about this book. I read the first 150 pages and was actually really excited. It looked like the novel wasn’t following the implications of the blurbs after all. And then it dissolved. It’s a shame, because there’s a lot of good novel in there, in the historical fiction, in the stories of Bing and Lotus’s pasts, in the lives of the sex workers and how they all got to this point in their lives. But it just got lost.
September 9, 2020
Į rankas paėmiau tik dėl metų iššūkio, kurio sąraše užims vietą: "autoriaus vardas, pavardė arba knygos pavadinimas prasideda Z raide".
2,5* ir suapvalinu matematiškai.
2,5* ir suapvalinu matematiškai.
April 9, 2020
Knyga "Lotosas" - šių laikų prostitutės istorija Kinojoje. Mergina, pasivadinusi Lotosu, tikrai negali pasigirti lengvu gyvenimu. Gana anksti mirė jos motina ir mergina pasižadėjo rūpintis savo mažuoju broliuku. Palikusi mažą kaimelį, mergina išvyksta į didmiestį, kur planuoja ne tik uždirbti pinigų brolio mokslams, aprūpinti savo šeimą, bet ir susikurti gyvenimą sau. Deja deja po kelių nesėkmių mergina, kuri, rodės, turi tvirtą moralinį stuburą, atsiduria ten, kur niekad nebūtų pagalvojusi - masažo salone. Viena smulkmena - masažo salonas teikia tikrai ne masažo paslaugas. Taip, mergina tampa prostitute.
Kitas svarbus knygos personažas - fotoreporteris Bingas. Tai išsiskyręs vidutinio amžiaus vyras, kuris svajoja tapti pripažintu žurnalistu ir kuria fotoprojektą apie prostitutes Kinijoje. Tarp Lotoso ir Bingo užsimezga ryšys ir kyla visai natūralūs klausimai - ar mergina už pinigus gali tapti pavyzdinga žmona, ar įmanoma gyvenimą pradėti nuo pradžių ir galų gale - kaip gyventi vyrui žinant apie tokią merginos praeitį. Intriguoja, tiesa?
Noriu paminėti vieną labai gražią mintį ir metaforą susijusią su knygos pavadinimu. Mergina pavadina save Lotosu ne šiaip sau, o labai simboliškai. Lotosas - augalas, kuris išauga iš purvo, bet lieka skaistus ir nesusitepęs. Galbūt tai simbolis merginos gyvenimo - nesvarbu, kad pinigus uždirba neitin garbingu būdu, bet jos vidus nepakitęs - ji ta pati mergina. Bet ar tikrai?
Bendriniu požiūriu ši knyga yra moters kelias į save, bandymas save pažinti itin ekstremaliomis sąlygomis. Net gi sakyčiau savigarbos paieška.
Prostitucija kaip reiškinys knygoje aprašomas išsamiai ir visa tai labai įdomu skaityti. Pasakojama, kad yra kelių lygių prostitutės, kuo jos skiriasi, kaip gyvena ir kuo vadovaujasi. Kartu skaityti labai sunku iš emocinės ir moralinės pusės. Dauguma merginų sunkiai suvokia, kas jos ir kuo užsiima. Jos neturi savigarbos, meluoja sau ir pasauliui, įdaiktina save. Be to tas požiūris labai nevienalytis - autorė puikiai atskleidė skirtingą merginų motyvaciją ir tipažus. Šiek tiek abejočiau Lotoso kaip personažo vientisumu, nes istorijos pradžioje ji tokia moraliniu požiūriu nekalta mergelė, kurios jokiais būdais prostitucijoje neįsivaizduotum, o po kurio laiko jau kalba kad tai lengvi pinigai, kad darbas nesunkus, tada kad vis tik labai sunku, nes tie vyrai apiplėšia jos sielą. Tai vienas iš dviejų - arba autorė ją vaizduoja sutrikusią arba pati iki galo nenusprendė kuriuo keliu vesti knygos heroję.
Neįdomioji knygos dalis - Bingo pasakojimas. Pasakotojas keičiasi kas skyrius - pasakoja Lotosas, tuomet Bingas ir vėl keičiasi. Bingas pats iš savęs necharizmatiškas ir jo pasakojama istorija neįdomi. Įsitraukti pavyksta tik tuomet kai Bingo gyvenimas susipina su Lotoso. Tomet ir jis pats tampa įdomesnis ir jo pasakojimas.
Knygoje autorė užkabina daugybę temų: imigracija, politika, prostitucija, abortai. Autorė gana ambicingai griebėsi pasakoti, bet, mano nuomone, iki galo istorijos potencialas nebuvo išnaudotas.Tam tikri siužeto sprendimai nelogiški, neįtikino, o pabaiga pasirodė kažkas link banalumo. Sprendimas geras, bet iki jo prieita per greitai ir nėra jokio organiškumo. Žodžiu, kabliukų aš randu, bet bendrai įdomu buvo paskaityti apie šiuolaikini Kinojos veidą prostitutės akimis ir pamatyti visuomenės moralinį skerspjūvį.
Video apžvalga: https://bit.ly/2R9D5Uw
Kitas svarbus knygos personažas - fotoreporteris Bingas. Tai išsiskyręs vidutinio amžiaus vyras, kuris svajoja tapti pripažintu žurnalistu ir kuria fotoprojektą apie prostitutes Kinijoje. Tarp Lotoso ir Bingo užsimezga ryšys ir kyla visai natūralūs klausimai - ar mergina už pinigus gali tapti pavyzdinga žmona, ar įmanoma gyvenimą pradėti nuo pradžių ir galų gale - kaip gyventi vyrui žinant apie tokią merginos praeitį. Intriguoja, tiesa?
Noriu paminėti vieną labai gražią mintį ir metaforą susijusią su knygos pavadinimu. Mergina pavadina save Lotosu ne šiaip sau, o labai simboliškai. Lotosas - augalas, kuris išauga iš purvo, bet lieka skaistus ir nesusitepęs. Galbūt tai simbolis merginos gyvenimo - nesvarbu, kad pinigus uždirba neitin garbingu būdu, bet jos vidus nepakitęs - ji ta pati mergina. Bet ar tikrai?
Bendriniu požiūriu ši knyga yra moters kelias į save, bandymas save pažinti itin ekstremaliomis sąlygomis. Net gi sakyčiau savigarbos paieška.
Prostitucija kaip reiškinys knygoje aprašomas išsamiai ir visa tai labai įdomu skaityti. Pasakojama, kad yra kelių lygių prostitutės, kuo jos skiriasi, kaip gyvena ir kuo vadovaujasi. Kartu skaityti labai sunku iš emocinės ir moralinės pusės. Dauguma merginų sunkiai suvokia, kas jos ir kuo užsiima. Jos neturi savigarbos, meluoja sau ir pasauliui, įdaiktina save. Be to tas požiūris labai nevienalytis - autorė puikiai atskleidė skirtingą merginų motyvaciją ir tipažus. Šiek tiek abejočiau Lotoso kaip personažo vientisumu, nes istorijos pradžioje ji tokia moraliniu požiūriu nekalta mergelė, kurios jokiais būdais prostitucijoje neįsivaizduotum, o po kurio laiko jau kalba kad tai lengvi pinigai, kad darbas nesunkus, tada kad vis tik labai sunku, nes tie vyrai apiplėšia jos sielą. Tai vienas iš dviejų - arba autorė ją vaizduoja sutrikusią arba pati iki galo nenusprendė kuriuo keliu vesti knygos heroję.
Neįdomioji knygos dalis - Bingo pasakojimas. Pasakotojas keičiasi kas skyrius - pasakoja Lotosas, tuomet Bingas ir vėl keičiasi. Bingas pats iš savęs necharizmatiškas ir jo pasakojama istorija neįdomi. Įsitraukti pavyksta tik tuomet kai Bingo gyvenimas susipina su Lotoso. Tomet ir jis pats tampa įdomesnis ir jo pasakojimas.
Knygoje autorė užkabina daugybę temų: imigracija, politika, prostitucija, abortai. Autorė gana ambicingai griebėsi pasakoti, bet, mano nuomone, iki galo istorijos potencialas nebuvo išnaudotas.Tam tikri siužeto sprendimai nelogiški, neįtikino, o pabaiga pasirodė kažkas link banalumo. Sprendimas geras, bet iki jo prieita per greitai ir nėra jokio organiškumo. Žodžiu, kabliukų aš randu, bet bendrai įdomu buvo paskaityti apie šiuolaikini Kinojos veidą prostitutės akimis ir pamatyti visuomenės moralinį skerspjūvį.
Video apžvalga: https://bit.ly/2R9D5Uw
May 19, 2021
This did absolutely nothing for me. It would be very difficult for me to point out anything of value within the novel, so I will not try.
The writing was juvenile; the dialogue was cringeworthy. There was barely any plot. All of the characters were abhorrent. It has a neat cover? (That's a nice thing.)
I ended up having to skim this after the halfway point, reading only the first 2-3 pages of each chapter before heading onto the next. Reading that way, I felt I missed absolutely nothing. In fact, when I read the final chapter in full, I felt I could have just as easily skipped everything between the first and last chapter and come out alright. While reading, you keep wondering what this book is trying to tell you, what significance the plot could have- the answer is nothing & none. It is just a lame romance with a Chinese backdrop and sex workers thrown in.
The premise is a great one and the fact that it was inspired by her own grandmother’s secret life makes it even better. How then, did Lijia Zhang manage to make this story so unbearable to read? It was like she was trying to simultaneously bore the reader to death and take an award home for mediocre writing. I am left with one thought: Why was this written?
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. If you are looking for either Chinese fiction or fiction focused on the lives of sex workers, find literally any other book you can get your hands on and read that instead.
The writing was juvenile; the dialogue was cringeworthy. There was barely any plot. All of the characters were abhorrent. It has a neat cover? (That's a nice thing.)
I ended up having to skim this after the halfway point, reading only the first 2-3 pages of each chapter before heading onto the next. Reading that way, I felt I missed absolutely nothing. In fact, when I read the final chapter in full, I felt I could have just as easily skipped everything between the first and last chapter and come out alright. While reading, you keep wondering what this book is trying to tell you, what significance the plot could have- the answer is nothing & none. It is just a lame romance with a Chinese backdrop and sex workers thrown in.
The premise is a great one and the fact that it was inspired by her own grandmother’s secret life makes it even better. How then, did Lijia Zhang manage to make this story so unbearable to read? It was like she was trying to simultaneously bore the reader to death and take an award home for mediocre writing. I am left with one thought: Why was this written?
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. If you are looking for either Chinese fiction or fiction focused on the lives of sex workers, find literally any other book you can get your hands on and read that instead.
February 12, 2024
Tai socialinis romanas, kviečiantis pažiūrėti ta kryptimi, kuria paprastai žiūrėti vengiama. Jame dėmesio centre Kinijos didmiesčio Šendženo pakraštyje savo kūnu prekiaujančios moterys. Pagrindinės herojės Lotoso paveikslas yra gan idealistiškas, o jos istorija sudėliota taip, kad pateiktų skaitytojui aiškias gyvenimo pamokas. Tačiau Lotoso draugių iš Mėnulio masažo salono charakteriai man pasirodė itin tikroviški. Nenuostabu, iš padėkos skyrielio sužinome, kad autorė medžiaga knygai rinko klausidamasi prostitučių pasakojimų.
Yra šioje knygoje ir tokių detalių, kurios leidžia geriau pažinti Kiniją, pamatyti ne tik jos klestėjimo ženklus, bet ir socialines problemas, nelygybę, suvaržymus. Lotoso akimis matome, kad gatvėse iškabinti lozungai prasilenkia su realybe. Tampame liudininkais, kaip užrakinti gamybinėse patalpose fabriko darbuotojai neturi šansų išsigelbėti gaisro metu. Stebime, kaip fotografas Bingas ir žurnalistas Džangas laviruoja tarp noro rengti aktualius ir objektyvius reportažus bei cenzūros ir kompromisų, siekdami sėkmingos karėjos.
Manau, kad ši knyga yra nepelnytai nuvertinta. Tik 3,57 balo Goodreads platformoje? Rimtai? Atrodo, kad dalis nusivylusių skaitytojų tikėjosi aštresnio, labiau šokiruojančio pasakojimo. Viena skaitytoja apžvalgoje pažymėjo, kad sekso scenos knygoje neturi romantiško jaudulio. Bet juk šios knygos tema yra prostitucija, todėl keliose atviresnėse scenose aprašomas seksas yra visiškai neromantiškas, nepatogus, be emocinio ryšio ir saugumo jausmo. Taigi, ši knyga nėra meilės romanas. Joje nėra nei erotikos, nei egzotikos, nei įtempto įtraukiančio siužeto. Jos puslapiuose neskubrus pasakojimas iš kasdienybės fragmentų, mažų ir didelių, vykusių ir nevykusių jos personažų pasirinkimų ir šių pasirinkimų pasekmių.
Gera knyga, kurios skaitymas mane praturtino. Tiesa, jei vertinčiau tik pačią knygą, žvaigždučių būtų viena mažiau. Bet negalėjau neatsižvelgti į šios knygos atsiradimo istoriją - į ilgą kelią, kurį nuėjo Lijia Zhang nuo mergaitės, kuriai nebuvo leista baigti vidurinės mokyklos, iki rašytojos, parašiusios šią knygą svetima kalba.
Yra šioje knygoje ir tokių detalių, kurios leidžia geriau pažinti Kiniją, pamatyti ne tik jos klestėjimo ženklus, bet ir socialines problemas, nelygybę, suvaržymus. Lotoso akimis matome, kad gatvėse iškabinti lozungai prasilenkia su realybe. Tampame liudininkais, kaip užrakinti gamybinėse patalpose fabriko darbuotojai neturi šansų išsigelbėti gaisro metu. Stebime, kaip fotografas Bingas ir žurnalistas Džangas laviruoja tarp noro rengti aktualius ir objektyvius reportažus bei cenzūros ir kompromisų, siekdami sėkmingos karėjos.
Manau, kad ši knyga yra nepelnytai nuvertinta. Tik 3,57 balo Goodreads platformoje? Rimtai? Atrodo, kad dalis nusivylusių skaitytojų tikėjosi aštresnio, labiau šokiruojančio pasakojimo. Viena skaitytoja apžvalgoje pažymėjo, kad sekso scenos knygoje neturi romantiško jaudulio. Bet juk šios knygos tema yra prostitucija, todėl keliose atviresnėse scenose aprašomas seksas yra visiškai neromantiškas, nepatogus, be emocinio ryšio ir saugumo jausmo. Taigi, ši knyga nėra meilės romanas. Joje nėra nei erotikos, nei egzotikos, nei įtempto įtraukiančio siužeto. Jos puslapiuose neskubrus pasakojimas iš kasdienybės fragmentų, mažų ir didelių, vykusių ir nevykusių jos personažų pasirinkimų ir šių pasirinkimų pasekmių.
Gera knyga, kurios skaitymas mane praturtino. Tiesa, jei vertinčiau tik pačią knygą, žvaigždučių būtų viena mažiau. Bet negalėjau neatsižvelgti į šios knygos atsiradimo istoriją - į ilgą kelią, kurį nuėjo Lijia Zhang nuo mergaitės, kuriai nebuvo leista baigti vidurinės mokyklos, iki rašytojos, parašiusios šią knygą svetima kalba.
March 3, 2017
I have strange pet peeves when it comes to writing. There are certain turns of phrases that when used demand being expanded upon. The one that rings clearest and earliest in this book is, “There was something about _____”. It doesn’t matter what it is, what you are waxing on about, when those words are written I demand that you try and pin down that something. You might not when, but if you are going to put some emotional weight into a moment you need to try and make it poetry, to show the reader why it works for the character.
In Lotus, this never happens.
Instead the entire book reads something like a rushed draft of something that is both pointless and charmless. It is the contemporary story of a female prostitute, supposedly influenced by the deathbed confession of Zhang’s grandmother about having been a prostitute during Mao’s Great Revolution. It doesn’t seem like it should be hard to build characters from inspiration like that, but here I can’t even name one, except perhaps the photographer who I frankly feel like he got the short end of the stick in the novel.
Character pasts are explained clumsily through paragraphs injected into the narrative, sometimes because there is about to be a call back to that thing we had no previous awareness of, and sometimes just because reasons, I guess. And I might be able to forgive that if the writing was better, but it’s not. It’s serviceable and as flat as the Midwestern plains. There is no heaviness, no moments of shock, curiosity, or interest to be found anywhere in it.
There was a moment, a single fractious moment where I thought, hoped that the book was going to touch on something powerful. In that moment where Lotus is finally able to walk away from being a prostitute and attempt to find a sense of normalcy in the world she left her rural past to pursue. There could be drama, deep reservoirs of doubt, internal monologues, arguments, symbolism!
Nope, Lotus pretty much just acts the grateful rescued woman until Zhang appears to writer herself into a corner. At which point she sends Lotus off to a Buddhist monastery for all of thirteen minutes, her friends comes and say “Hi”, and suddenly she an awaken feminist ready to find her destiny even if it means fighting the goddamn patriarchy.
That’s it. That’s how it happens.
There is no physical moment of romantic or societal pressure to act as trigger, just some prostitutes and some prayer beads. I’m not sure how long into the writing process that Zhang decided that the crux of Lotus’s awakening needed to be both empty and religious, but it was will forever be the wrong call
This doesn’t work. None of it works.
In Lotus, this never happens.
Instead the entire book reads something like a rushed draft of something that is both pointless and charmless. It is the contemporary story of a female prostitute, supposedly influenced by the deathbed confession of Zhang’s grandmother about having been a prostitute during Mao’s Great Revolution. It doesn’t seem like it should be hard to build characters from inspiration like that, but here I can’t even name one, except perhaps the photographer who I frankly feel like he got the short end of the stick in the novel.
Character pasts are explained clumsily through paragraphs injected into the narrative, sometimes because there is about to be a call back to that thing we had no previous awareness of, and sometimes just because reasons, I guess. And I might be able to forgive that if the writing was better, but it’s not. It’s serviceable and as flat as the Midwestern plains. There is no heaviness, no moments of shock, curiosity, or interest to be found anywhere in it.
There was a moment, a single fractious moment where I thought, hoped that the book was going to touch on something powerful. In that moment where Lotus is finally able to walk away from being a prostitute and attempt to find a sense of normalcy in the world she left her rural past to pursue. There could be drama, deep reservoirs of doubt, internal monologues, arguments, symbolism!
Nope, Lotus pretty much just acts the grateful rescued woman until Zhang appears to writer herself into a corner. At which point she sends Lotus off to a Buddhist monastery for all of thirteen minutes, her friends comes and say “Hi”, and suddenly she an awaken feminist ready to find her destiny even if it means fighting the goddamn patriarchy.
That’s it. That’s how it happens.
There is no physical moment of romantic or societal pressure to act as trigger, just some prostitutes and some prayer beads. I’m not sure how long into the writing process that Zhang decided that the crux of Lotus’s awakening needed to be both empty and religious, but it was will forever be the wrong call
This doesn’t work. None of it works.
April 30, 2020
Šiais metais išleistą Lijia Zhang knygą "Lotosas" baigiau skaityti vakar, o kaip tik šiandien 18 val. Vilniaus knygų mugėje Londone gyvenanti kinų autorė pristatys šį romaną. Pradėsiu nuo to, kad knyga mane įtraukė, buvo įdomi ir nors ji nėra trumpa - virš 400 psl.- laikas man greit prabėgo. Palyginčiau su žiūrėjimu įdomaus siužeto filmą.
Tai istorija vykstanti Kinijoje apie neišsilavinusią merginą iš kaimo, vardu Lotosas, atvykusią į didelį galimybių miestą, kuriame ji parduoda tai, ką turi geriausio - savo kūną ir jaunystę. Ši jauna moteris jaučia, kad pasaulis priklauso ne jai ir tik taikydamasi prie aplinkos, ji gali jame išlikti. Jai kyla klausimai: ar yra išeitis iš sekso industrijos pančių, ar įmanomas kitas gyvenimas, ar tą kitą gyvenimą gali suteikti tik panorėjęs ją išgelbėti vyras?
Tokių vyrų jos kelyje pasitaiko net keletas, kurie siūlo skirtingas gelbėjimo formas: fotografas - meilę ir šeimą, turingas klientas - sotų užtikrintą gyvenimą. Juk augdama ji nuolat girdėjo ir matė, kad moteris be vyro yra niekas, kad jei esi vargšas arba moteris, kiekvienas turintis bent kiek daugiau galių, pasinaudos tavimi. "Tik santuoka ištrintų jos praeities dėmę ir užtikrintų materialinę ir socialinę padėtį".
Bendrąja prasme tai istorija apie šiuolaikinę staigios urbanizacijos ir technologijų paveiktą Kiniją, jos visuomenę ir susidariusius socialinius sluoksnius, didžiulę ir sunkiai įveikiamą atskirtį tarp jų, apie nelygybę, skirtingų galimybių tarp šių sluoksnių atotrūkį, apie žmogaus santykį su valdžios struktūromis. Tai ir istorija, kurios esminis klausimas, kieno valioje mūsų gyvenimas, nuo ko jis priklauso: ar tai likimas ar mes patys esame atsakingi už jo kryptį. Nuo to atsakymo, kurį pasirinks Lotosas, priklausys ir knygos baigtis.
Nors iš pirmo žvilgsnio perskaičius anotaciją tikėtina galimai banali istorija apie padorų vyruką, kuris iš sekso vergijos išlaisvina mylimą merginą, tačiau šis romanas banalus nebuvo, atvirkščiai, daug kas vyko ne taip kaip tikėtumeisi įprastame meilės romane. Autorė knygą rašė 12 metų, ją redagavo daug savo sritį (psichologiją, sekso vergiją, kalbą) išmanančių žmonių, todėl knygoje neradau perteklinių dalykų, viskas buvo sunormuota po tiek, kiek to ir norėjosi.
Tai istorija vykstanti Kinijoje apie neišsilavinusią merginą iš kaimo, vardu Lotosas, atvykusią į didelį galimybių miestą, kuriame ji parduoda tai, ką turi geriausio - savo kūną ir jaunystę. Ši jauna moteris jaučia, kad pasaulis priklauso ne jai ir tik taikydamasi prie aplinkos, ji gali jame išlikti. Jai kyla klausimai: ar yra išeitis iš sekso industrijos pančių, ar įmanomas kitas gyvenimas, ar tą kitą gyvenimą gali suteikti tik panorėjęs ją išgelbėti vyras?
Tokių vyrų jos kelyje pasitaiko net keletas, kurie siūlo skirtingas gelbėjimo formas: fotografas - meilę ir šeimą, turingas klientas - sotų užtikrintą gyvenimą. Juk augdama ji nuolat girdėjo ir matė, kad moteris be vyro yra niekas, kad jei esi vargšas arba moteris, kiekvienas turintis bent kiek daugiau galių, pasinaudos tavimi. "Tik santuoka ištrintų jos praeities dėmę ir užtikrintų materialinę ir socialinę padėtį".
Bendrąja prasme tai istorija apie šiuolaikinę staigios urbanizacijos ir technologijų paveiktą Kiniją, jos visuomenę ir susidariusius socialinius sluoksnius, didžiulę ir sunkiai įveikiamą atskirtį tarp jų, apie nelygybę, skirtingų galimybių tarp šių sluoksnių atotrūkį, apie žmogaus santykį su valdžios struktūromis. Tai ir istorija, kurios esminis klausimas, kieno valioje mūsų gyvenimas, nuo ko jis priklauso: ar tai likimas ar mes patys esame atsakingi už jo kryptį. Nuo to atsakymo, kurį pasirinks Lotosas, priklausys ir knygos baigtis.
Nors iš pirmo žvilgsnio perskaičius anotaciją tikėtina galimai banali istorija apie padorų vyruką, kuris iš sekso vergijos išlaisvina mylimą merginą, tačiau šis romanas banalus nebuvo, atvirkščiai, daug kas vyko ne taip kaip tikėtumeisi įprastame meilės romane. Autorė knygą rašė 12 metų, ją redagavo daug savo sritį (psichologiją, sekso vergiją, kalbą) išmanančių žmonių, todėl knygoje neradau perteklinių dalykų, viskas buvo sunormuota po tiek, kiek to ir norėjosi.
September 11, 2022
2.5/5
Knyga su daug potencialo ir neišsipildžiusiais lūkesčiais...
„Lotosas“ – romanas apie šiuolaikinę Kiniją, balansuojančią tarp tradicijų ir dabarties, tarp griežtų visuomenės moralinių normų ir klestinčios prostitucijos bei prekybos žmonėmis, tarp skurdo kaimuose ir prievartos fabrikuose. Ir apie nuolankią, tačiau nepalaužiamą merginą, vieną iš nesuskaičiuojamos daugybės, vis dar gyvenančių tamsiojoje Kinijos pusėje.
Turbūt pirmą kartą gyvenime man taip sunku rašyti mintis apie knygą. Ir gaila, kad ne iš gerosios pusės...
Imdama „Lotosą“ į rankas, turėjau labai daug lūkesčių, nes jos pristatymas Knygų mugės metu, pokalbis su autore bei užsienio skaitytojų atsiliepimai sudarė tikrai labai teigiamą įspūdį. O, pripažinkim, ir prostitucijos tema nėra tokia dažna knygose, ypač kai pasakojimas paremtas tikra istorija, tad tikrai viliojo susipažinti su kitokia rytų kultūra.
Vis laukiau, kada kas nors įvyks. Jei atvirai, dar niekada gyvenime nebuvau skaičiusi tokios lėtos knygos kaip ši. Ir, deja, bet iki pat knygos pabaigos nieko įspūdingo, verčiančio aikčioti ar bent jau kokį kartą kitą antakį iš nuostabos pakelti taip ir nesulaukiau... Liūdna. Tikrai liūdna.
Pati istorija turėjo labai daug potencialo. Galėjo būti įdomi istorija, išsiskirianti vienu labai dideliu pranašumu už kitas tokią temą paliečiančias knygas – tikrais autorės močiutės išgyvenimais. Galvojau, kad tikrai nustebins, šokiruos ir atskleis tamsiąją ir žiauriąją šio „verslo“ pusę. Ir, žinot, labai liūdna tai sakyti, bet ta prostitucijos tema šioje knygoje gvildenama labai jau paviršutiniškai, neįdomiai ir kažkaip bejausmiškai.
Bet tai ne vienintelis minusas. Jų čia galėčiau išrankioti labai labai daug. Sunkiausia buvo skaityti knygą dėl keistų veikėjų vardų, nesiskiriančių kreipinių ir kitų keistų rytų kultūros papročių.
Nesu nieko prieš kitas kultūras, atvirkščiai, man kaip tik įdomu pažinti kuo daugiau pasaulio ne tik gyvai, bet ir knygų puslapiuose. Bet, pripažinkim, kad merginos vardas Lotosas skamba mažų mažiausiai keistai. Kaskart skaitydama šį vardą, turėjau sekundei sustoti ir susivokti, kad kalbama apie merginą. O kur dar kiti vardai, kurie tokie panašūs, kad galiausiai kai kuriais atvejais nebesusekiau, apie kurį iš jų ten rašoma. Viskas taip supainiota ir perpinta vien tomis, rodos, nereikšmingomis detalėmis, kad tos išties reikšmingos tokiame kontekste praranda savąjį svorį.
Gaila taip sakyti, bet „Lotoso“ nerekomenduoju. Nenoriu meluoti – man ši knyga tikrai nepatiko. Galbūt per daug dideli kultūriniai skirtumai, galbūt ne itin pavykęs autorės literatūrinis debiutas ir keistas rašymo stilius, o galbūt tie per daug dideli lūkesčiai lėmė būtent tokią mano nuomonę. Na, bet yra kaip yra. Tai tikrai ne pati geriausia knyga prostitucijos tema. Verčiau siūlau rinktis kokį įdomesnį ir literatūriškai vertingesnį variantą.
Knyga su daug potencialo ir neišsipildžiusiais lūkesčiais...
„Lotosas“ – romanas apie šiuolaikinę Kiniją, balansuojančią tarp tradicijų ir dabarties, tarp griežtų visuomenės moralinių normų ir klestinčios prostitucijos bei prekybos žmonėmis, tarp skurdo kaimuose ir prievartos fabrikuose. Ir apie nuolankią, tačiau nepalaužiamą merginą, vieną iš nesuskaičiuojamos daugybės, vis dar gyvenančių tamsiojoje Kinijos pusėje.
Turbūt pirmą kartą gyvenime man taip sunku rašyti mintis apie knygą. Ir gaila, kad ne iš gerosios pusės...
Imdama „Lotosą“ į rankas, turėjau labai daug lūkesčių, nes jos pristatymas Knygų mugės metu, pokalbis su autore bei užsienio skaitytojų atsiliepimai sudarė tikrai labai teigiamą įspūdį. O, pripažinkim, ir prostitucijos tema nėra tokia dažna knygose, ypač kai pasakojimas paremtas tikra istorija, tad tikrai viliojo susipažinti su kitokia rytų kultūra.
Vis laukiau, kada kas nors įvyks. Jei atvirai, dar niekada gyvenime nebuvau skaičiusi tokios lėtos knygos kaip ši. Ir, deja, bet iki pat knygos pabaigos nieko įspūdingo, verčiančio aikčioti ar bent jau kokį kartą kitą antakį iš nuostabos pakelti taip ir nesulaukiau... Liūdna. Tikrai liūdna.
Pati istorija turėjo labai daug potencialo. Galėjo būti įdomi istorija, išsiskirianti vienu labai dideliu pranašumu už kitas tokią temą paliečiančias knygas – tikrais autorės močiutės išgyvenimais. Galvojau, kad tikrai nustebins, šokiruos ir atskleis tamsiąją ir žiauriąją šio „verslo“ pusę. Ir, žinot, labai liūdna tai sakyti, bet ta prostitucijos tema šioje knygoje gvildenama labai jau paviršutiniškai, neįdomiai ir kažkaip bejausmiškai.
Bet tai ne vienintelis minusas. Jų čia galėčiau išrankioti labai labai daug. Sunkiausia buvo skaityti knygą dėl keistų veikėjų vardų, nesiskiriančių kreipinių ir kitų keistų rytų kultūros papročių.
Nesu nieko prieš kitas kultūras, atvirkščiai, man kaip tik įdomu pažinti kuo daugiau pasaulio ne tik gyvai, bet ir knygų puslapiuose. Bet, pripažinkim, kad merginos vardas Lotosas skamba mažų mažiausiai keistai. Kaskart skaitydama šį vardą, turėjau sekundei sustoti ir susivokti, kad kalbama apie merginą. O kur dar kiti vardai, kurie tokie panašūs, kad galiausiai kai kuriais atvejais nebesusekiau, apie kurį iš jų ten rašoma. Viskas taip supainiota ir perpinta vien tomis, rodos, nereikšmingomis detalėmis, kad tos išties reikšmingos tokiame kontekste praranda savąjį svorį.
Gaila taip sakyti, bet „Lotoso“ nerekomenduoju. Nenoriu meluoti – man ši knyga tikrai nepatiko. Galbūt per daug dideli kultūriniai skirtumai, galbūt ne itin pavykęs autorės literatūrinis debiutas ir keistas rašymo stilius, o galbūt tie per daug dideli lūkesčiai lėmė būtent tokią mano nuomonę. Na, bet yra kaip yra. Tai tikrai ne pati geriausia knyga prostitucijos tema. Verčiau siūlau rinktis kokį įdomesnį ir literatūriškai vertingesnį variantą.
April 19, 2021
I liked this one, I debated whether I should give it 4 stars but I did not care much about the characters. I feel I had a few issues at the beginning reading about Lotus' expectations and anticipations, which seemed fantasies to me. But later on her naiveness was somewhat addressed and it was interesting to see her grow and progress.
Below, there's a spoiler of this book AND Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (important spoilers about this one lol). Probably unimportant but there's a parallel (sort of?) that I kept thinking about:
Below, there's a spoiler of this book AND Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (important spoilers about this one lol). Probably unimportant but there's a parallel (sort of?) that I kept thinking about:
May 30, 2017
What’s more difficult than writing a novel about prostitution that isn’t sycophantic or exploitative? Doing it in a second language! That’s what Chinese writer Lijia Zhang has attempted to do here, with middling results. I think Zhang intended to write a sympathetic social commentary about prostitution in China, but the plot of Lotus (poor prostitute meets male benefactor who sort of exploits her, sort of helps pull her out of her condition for his own benefit) does little more in terms of analysis than suggest that prostitutes are driven into their profession through poverty. Not exactly a compelling plot or a groundbreaking study of sex work. The writing also suffers from technical flaws such as flat characters and sometimes-awkward prose, both of which are probably the result of Zhang writing in a non-native language. Zhang somewhat redeems the plot in the end, resisting the happily-ever-after finish with an open ended conclusion. Lotus is not really an innovative novel, but it is an achievement for Zhang, a former factory worker who has mastered the English language more fully than most native speakers ever attempt to.
This review originally appeared on my blog: http://buriedwomenwriters.com/2017/04...
This review originally appeared on my blog: http://buriedwomenwriters.com/2017/04...
July 9, 2020
Nuobodi. Štai koks vienas žodis man apibūdina šią knygą. Ir ne vien dėl lėto rašymo tempo, kuriame pasigedau išraiškingesnio teksto, tačiau ir pati istorija neturėjo jokios gyvybės. Prostitute dirbanti mergina, kuriai labai trūksta įdomesnio charakterio, sutinka ją pamilusį ir išlaikyti galintį vyrą... vien toks konceptas be galo banalus. Skaitant neatsirado jokios įtampos ar intrigos, nesužinojau nieko naujo apie Kiniją, ko nebūčiau skaičiusi seniau iš panašaus tipo istorijų, tad kūrinys visai neįtraukė.
Patys veikėjai blankūs, jų pokalbiai statiški, tarsi mediniai, retkarčiais pasitaikančios sekso scenos neturi nei romantiško jaudulio, nei erotikos atvirumo, tiesiog kažkoks bejausmis viduriukas nusakomas "atsigulė, prasižergė, kūnai sulipo".
Jei esate skaitę daug rytietiškų istorijų ši gali rimtai nuvilti.
Patys veikėjai blankūs, jų pokalbiai statiški, tarsi mediniai, retkarčiais pasitaikančios sekso scenos neturi nei romantiško jaudulio, nei erotikos atvirumo, tiesiog kažkoks bejausmis viduriukas nusakomas "atsigulė, prasižergė, kūnai sulipo".
Jei esate skaitę daug rytietiškų istorijų ši gali rimtai nuvilti.
January 27, 2019
4.25
Wow this is truly an insightful read and I’m glad I picked it up! I strongly urge everyone to read Lotus if you’re looking for a diverse read and a novel that explores important themes such as gender and social class, and the taboo topic of prostitution in China. I can’t recommend this enough!
Wow this is truly an insightful read and I’m glad I picked it up! I strongly urge everyone to read Lotus if you’re looking for a diverse read and a novel that explores important themes such as gender and social class, and the taboo topic of prostitution in China. I can’t recommend this enough!
January 2, 2017
Summary: This was a slow paced book, but the character and relationship development were touching and believable.
"Surviving by her wits alone, Lotus charges headlong into the neon lights of Shenzhen, determined to pull herself out of the gutter and decide her own path." However, she quickly finds herself working as a "massage girl" or prostitute while lying to her family about the source of the money she sends home. The men who notice her provide her many opportunities for a chance at security, but each also presents their own dangers. As Lotus struggles to make a decision, she finds it difficult to envision a life of her own due to the guilt and insecurity she feels.
Initially, I struggled to get into this story. The writing was beautiful, but sometimes became too flowery, and the plot felt slow. Throughout, I was curious about what would happen, without feeling driven to find out. However, in the second half of the book, I suddenly saw what the author had been building. Lotus was a complex character. Different pieces of her personality were slowly revealed as she told her story. The relationship she shared with a photographer and with her brother also both grew in complexity and changed in believable ways throughout the story. In the end, this story had some of the most believable relationships I've read. They were at times beautiful and at times tragic in perfect balance. Sometimes extremes in romance seem too clearly fictional to me and this book didn't have that problem.
I actually did end up with one complaint though. Comments from both Lotus and the photographer suggested that men are essentially victims of their sex drive. This is a myth that drives me a little crazy. It was a small thing though and not enough to ruin my enjoyment. It also often seemed that the photographer cared about Lotus because she was compliant and powerless. This second point might have troubled me more if it weren't true that many of the characters enjoyed the control they had when they felt like the more powerful person in a relationship. I think this was actually an interesting and non-gender biased theme that the author explored. Overall, I thought that the author's portrayal of gender and power was thought-provoking and handled well. Recommended.
This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
"Surviving by her wits alone, Lotus charges headlong into the neon lights of Shenzhen, determined to pull herself out of the gutter and decide her own path." However, she quickly finds herself working as a "massage girl" or prostitute while lying to her family about the source of the money she sends home. The men who notice her provide her many opportunities for a chance at security, but each also presents their own dangers. As Lotus struggles to make a decision, she finds it difficult to envision a life of her own due to the guilt and insecurity she feels.
Initially, I struggled to get into this story. The writing was beautiful, but sometimes became too flowery, and the plot felt slow. Throughout, I was curious about what would happen, without feeling driven to find out. However, in the second half of the book, I suddenly saw what the author had been building. Lotus was a complex character. Different pieces of her personality were slowly revealed as she told her story. The relationship she shared with a photographer and with her brother also both grew in complexity and changed in believable ways throughout the story. In the end, this story had some of the most believable relationships I've read. They were at times beautiful and at times tragic in perfect balance. Sometimes extremes in romance seem too clearly fictional to me and this book didn't have that problem.
I actually did end up with one complaint though. Comments from both Lotus and the photographer suggested that men are essentially victims of their sex drive. This is a myth that drives me a little crazy. It was a small thing though and not enough to ruin my enjoyment. It also often seemed that the photographer cared about Lotus because she was compliant and powerless. This second point might have troubled me more if it weren't true that many of the characters enjoyed the control they had when they felt like the more powerful person in a relationship. I think this was actually an interesting and non-gender biased theme that the author explored. Overall, I thought that the author's portrayal of gender and power was thought-provoking and handled well. Recommended.
This review was originally posted on Doing Dewey
October 28, 2016
An insightful, well-written novel into what being a prostitute was like in Deng's China.
Lotus is a prostitute living in the slums of Shenzhen, China, having left the village she was born in to try to avoid village gossip and make a life for herself. This book details her life and the people in it - her fellow prostitutes, potential boyfriends, family members back home. She struggles with faith, the expensive barriers to social mobility, feelings of self-worth, and ideas of independence in this striking novel.
Some of the Chinese pinyin words do not have immediate translations ("Wei" is not immediately - perhaps never - described to mean "hey") which could detract from the reading by non-Chinese-speaking audiences, but most Chinese words add to the flavor of the novel. Zhang's style and story rings true and provides a fictional but provocative account of what happened when China tried to bring everyone into twentieth century wealth but trapped some behind.
The book does revolve around the life of a working girl, and while none of the descriptions are incredibly graphic, they do discuss material that may be offensive or too mature for some readers. But I highly recommend this to all adults interested in a well-written historical novel that provides an image of an infrequently-seen side of China's meteoric rise to economic power.
Thanks to the publisher for an advanced digital copy!
Lotus is a prostitute living in the slums of Shenzhen, China, having left the village she was born in to try to avoid village gossip and make a life for herself. This book details her life and the people in it - her fellow prostitutes, potential boyfriends, family members back home. She struggles with faith, the expensive barriers to social mobility, feelings of self-worth, and ideas of independence in this striking novel.
Some of the Chinese pinyin words do not have immediate translations ("Wei" is not immediately - perhaps never - described to mean "hey") which could detract from the reading by non-Chinese-speaking audiences, but most Chinese words add to the flavor of the novel. Zhang's style and story rings true and provides a fictional but provocative account of what happened when China tried to bring everyone into twentieth century wealth but trapped some behind.
The book does revolve around the life of a working girl, and while none of the descriptions are incredibly graphic, they do discuss material that may be offensive or too mature for some readers. But I highly recommend this to all adults interested in a well-written historical novel that provides an image of an infrequently-seen side of China's meteoric rise to economic power.
Thanks to the publisher for an advanced digital copy!
March 5, 2017
A compelling read, with bits of magical learnings about self-worth and candid slow prose to soothe the ridged reality. I liked this a lot, it is only missing a dollop of perceived links between wishful thinking and the actual characters.
The book is structured by chapters with delightful titles, giving a hint about the atmosphere to come.
The slow pace of the prose matches very well the transformation of the main character, Lotus, from massage parlour ji (low class prostitute) to becoming a teacher and heading a school for the migrants' children who could not afford an education. The transformational factor is Lotus' relationship with photographer Bing. The story is beautiful yet realistic, not pure fairy tale, which I really enjoyed .
The characters sometimes lack though a particular fluency in their actions, usually depending on others more than on oneself. This indecision is probably what makes the flow of action lacking oomph and at times continuity in my opinion.
All in all, this is a superb novel and I highly recommend it to those who are interested in other cultures and societal factors.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book is structured by chapters with delightful titles, giving a hint about the atmosphere to come.
The slow pace of the prose matches very well the transformation of the main character, Lotus, from massage parlour ji (low class prostitute) to becoming a teacher and heading a school for the migrants' children who could not afford an education. The transformational factor is Lotus' relationship with photographer Bing. The story is beautiful yet realistic, not pure fairy tale, which I really enjoyed .
The characters sometimes lack though a particular fluency in their actions, usually depending on others more than on oneself. This indecision is probably what makes the flow of action lacking oomph and at times continuity in my opinion.
All in all, this is a superb novel and I highly recommend it to those who are interested in other cultures and societal factors.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2017
A prostitute w/ heart of gold who falls in love with a nice dude who treats her right? If this is a fresh concept to you, you may like this book!
Oof. What a disappointment. The prose was pretty stale—maybe this is a translation issue? I hope this is a translation issue—and the book seems to not know whether it's a social commentary on China's treatment of prostitutes, an erotic romance, or some combination of the two? And that'd be great, if it succeeded at either. I was pretty surprised this was written by a woman, because the descriptions of the titular (pun intended) Lotus are super male gaze-y. Not that you CAN'T cup your breasts lovingly upon stepping out of the shower, but come on, ladies, is that standard procedure? It all felt like some male fantasy where women exist in pure sexiness all the time, and while the writing was occasionally hilarious (clunky similes ahoy!), the book wasn't funny enough to be a good-bad read. NPR, you've led me astray! [fake news]
Oof. What a disappointment. The prose was pretty stale—maybe this is a translation issue? I hope this is a translation issue—and the book seems to not know whether it's a social commentary on China's treatment of prostitutes, an erotic romance, or some combination of the two? And that'd be great, if it succeeded at either. I was pretty surprised this was written by a woman, because the descriptions of the titular (pun intended) Lotus are super male gaze-y. Not that you CAN'T cup your breasts lovingly upon stepping out of the shower, but come on, ladies, is that standard procedure? It all felt like some male fantasy where women exist in pure sexiness all the time, and while the writing was occasionally hilarious (clunky similes ahoy!), the book wasn't funny enough to be a good-bad read. NPR, you've led me astray! [fake news]
July 23, 2019
A slow read. The writing style has its own unique flavor of a Chinese author who is competent at English while retaining a certain Chinese thought process. I do not dislike it, and found its somewhat stunted and idiomatic style to be unique. The prose could be more descriptive however and the plot is full of cliches and uninspired musings on the ugly side of modern China, complete with corrupt officials, cheating husbands, prostitution, the tiananmen square massacre, etc. Zhang Lijia obviously knows China but was she playing into her Western audience's inclination to patronize?
August 31, 2017
This had potential and started strong, but I found myself growing uninterested with the book as it turned into a love story about who Lotus would or would not choose. Not to mention the too-easy-ending of how supposedly she has escaped prostitution and been redeemed as a teacher, now a valuable member of society. Too many cliches, including the wise old religious figures who guides her to a decision, for this to be a great book.
January 16, 2022
Prostitucija - greičiausiai tabu klausimas ne tik visuomenės gyvenime, bet ir šeimose. Linkus kirtikuoti "neteisingus" sprendimus, knyga siūlo pažvelgti į aukos svarbą. Kiek daug yra gyvenimų apie kuriuos mes nė nenutuokiam, o jau susidarome įvaizdį lyg tai būtų amžina.
July 24, 2024
Loto es una joven de una aldea de Sichuan que llega a la cosmopolita Shenzhen. Las adversidades que debe enfrentar una chica venida del mundo rural y una noche de diversión casual la llevan a iniciarse en el mundo de la prostitución. En ese negocio conoce a Bing, un fotógrafo divorciado interesado en la vida de estas chicas y con el que tendrá un romance no exento de problemas y prejuicios.
Este libro me llamó la atención en cuanto lo vi. Una edición muy cuidada y una trama interesante. El hilo conductor es muy ameno y pone al lector en antecedentes del negocio más antiguo del mundo en una de las civilizaciones más antiguas del mundo. Obviamente la novela está ambientada en la China comunista actual y cómo convive esta realidad paralela hoy día, así como referencias culturales e históricas que llevan sucediendo durante dinastías.
La trama no es morbosa, tampoco empalagosa ni idílica la relación de la ex cortesana con el fotógrafo que quiere sacarla del mundo pero que deja un poco en el aire los verdaderos motivos de su “interés” por estas chicas, pues no solo se interesó por Loto, sino previamente por Perla también. Es interesante como la autora pone un conflicto de intereses para él con su gran amor, Loto, y su trabajo, al recibir un importante trabajo fotográfico por parte del gobierno central en Pekín.
Una lectura diferente, muy agradable, interesante y alejada de textos eróticos típicos occidentales que buscan el morbo gratuito. Libro inspirado en hechos reales, pues la abuela de la autora vivió las mismas experiencias que la protagonista durante los años 30.
Este libro me llamó la atención en cuanto lo vi. Una edición muy cuidada y una trama interesante. El hilo conductor es muy ameno y pone al lector en antecedentes del negocio más antiguo del mundo en una de las civilizaciones más antiguas del mundo. Obviamente la novela está ambientada en la China comunista actual y cómo convive esta realidad paralela hoy día, así como referencias culturales e históricas que llevan sucediendo durante dinastías.
La trama no es morbosa, tampoco empalagosa ni idílica la relación de la ex cortesana con el fotógrafo que quiere sacarla del mundo pero que deja un poco en el aire los verdaderos motivos de su “interés” por estas chicas, pues no solo se interesó por Loto, sino previamente por Perla también. Es interesante como la autora pone un conflicto de intereses para él con su gran amor, Loto, y su trabajo, al recibir un importante trabajo fotográfico por parte del gobierno central en Pekín.
Una lectura diferente, muy agradable, interesante y alejada de textos eróticos típicos occidentales que buscan el morbo gratuito. Libro inspirado en hechos reales, pues la abuela de la autora vivió las mismas experiencias que la protagonista durante los años 30.
August 30, 2025
Very powerful tale of Chinese ji (Prostitute) who fights her way into it and then out again. Fascinating insight into Chinese ‘underclass’ life. raw, but recommended.
April 19, 2017
Early in *Lotus,* the novel’s main character, Bing, thinks to himself, “Commercialization and modernity had eaten away China’s romantic edge.” Local author Zhang Lijia seems keen to bring the romance back.
She brings us a classic tale: Lotus, a poor young woman from Sichuan now working as a prostitute in Shenzhen, meets Bing, a divorced 40-something with a penchant for photographing Shenzhen prostitutes. Bing is instantly smitten, but Lotus, having learned the hardness of the world, treads lightly when matters concern her own heart — and body.
After all, she could choose to go with Family Treasure, another small-time worker from Sichuan seeking his fair shot in the crowded commercial zones of Shenzhen. He’ll make her his mistress, a wife-away-from-home, even install her in a moldy apartment and provide a 3000-*yuan* allowance.
Or she could go with Funny Eye, the high-roller who did the thing with the feathers the first time he took her up to his hotel room. Lotus likes to be liked by these men. And what about Bing? He respects Lotus, treats her so well she positively fills up with gratitude. But does she love him? What is it that she really needs in her life, anyhow?
Tales of working girls traveling from the country to the city have long been a major theme in contemporary social fiction in China. The departure is from homes out west in the hills, and off to the east, with its special economic zones and factory jobs and huge dens of vice hidden in plain sight, telling an adventure-story tour through the social and economic conditions of China today. Links between parents and children, so fundamental to the Chinese value system, are now stretched thin as the young people leave their elders behind. Factory labor isn’t for everyone, and the vice dens do glitter and beckon. Amidst mass production, all practice conspicuous consumption. But what is it all for?
Both Lotus and Bing can feel that something is wrong, something deep in the ethical undergirding of Chinese society. Out east, business practices are deplorable among Bing’s partners, who are not so much corrupt as rushed, aiming for riches with too little forethought and zero concern for quality. Back west farmers are overtaxed, and silenced with a beating if they care to complain. A once-free national schooling system is now too expensive for the poor. Sex work, widespread as it is, remains illegal and derided, leaving women in the grip of corrupt cops and clients that often prove cruel. That so many want to be mistresses in the city is a sad indication how economic bonds replace human ones.
Zhang packs these social issues into her prose, along with many unique stylistic elements. There is greater-than-normal use of Chinese terms, both transliterated, as in the word *ernai* for mistress *wasai *, a common interjection. At other times, Zhang translates idiomatic usages into English, as with “Born under a broomstick star” to describe Lotus’s tragic fate, or “play the flute,” common Chinese for a common sex act (ahem). Such expressions imbue a feeling of authenticity to Chinese dialogue in English, though even more effective in this regard is an accurate feel for how aggressive, even violent Chinese can seem to we gentle English speakers. In one line, for example, the couple ride out into the countryside in those familiar minivans that are in Chinese called *mianbao che*, or bread loaf trucks: “With a jerk, the bread loaf stopped. ‘Get out now! Out! My van can only go this far,’ the driver yelled back at them.”
Last but not least, Zhang has larded her prose with dozens of Chinese aphorisms. “How could dry wood resist a spark?” “Having sailed the ocean, how can one be content with a little stream?” “Don’t be the ugly toad that dreams of eating swan’s meat.” “We’ve gone through plenty of wind and rain together.” (Not to be confused with “Clouds and rain,” of course.) This quality combines with the boy-and-girl romance, two people with dreams of making China a better, fairer place, to produce a story that feels like a fairy tale, albeit one with a gritty edge.
She brings us a classic tale: Lotus, a poor young woman from Sichuan now working as a prostitute in Shenzhen, meets Bing, a divorced 40-something with a penchant for photographing Shenzhen prostitutes. Bing is instantly smitten, but Lotus, having learned the hardness of the world, treads lightly when matters concern her own heart — and body.
After all, she could choose to go with Family Treasure, another small-time worker from Sichuan seeking his fair shot in the crowded commercial zones of Shenzhen. He’ll make her his mistress, a wife-away-from-home, even install her in a moldy apartment and provide a 3000-*yuan* allowance.
Or she could go with Funny Eye, the high-roller who did the thing with the feathers the first time he took her up to his hotel room. Lotus likes to be liked by these men. And what about Bing? He respects Lotus, treats her so well she positively fills up with gratitude. But does she love him? What is it that she really needs in her life, anyhow?
Tales of working girls traveling from the country to the city have long been a major theme in contemporary social fiction in China. The departure is from homes out west in the hills, and off to the east, with its special economic zones and factory jobs and huge dens of vice hidden in plain sight, telling an adventure-story tour through the social and economic conditions of China today. Links between parents and children, so fundamental to the Chinese value system, are now stretched thin as the young people leave their elders behind. Factory labor isn’t for everyone, and the vice dens do glitter and beckon. Amidst mass production, all practice conspicuous consumption. But what is it all for?
Both Lotus and Bing can feel that something is wrong, something deep in the ethical undergirding of Chinese society. Out east, business practices are deplorable among Bing’s partners, who are not so much corrupt as rushed, aiming for riches with too little forethought and zero concern for quality. Back west farmers are overtaxed, and silenced with a beating if they care to complain. A once-free national schooling system is now too expensive for the poor. Sex work, widespread as it is, remains illegal and derided, leaving women in the grip of corrupt cops and clients that often prove cruel. That so many want to be mistresses in the city is a sad indication how economic bonds replace human ones.
Zhang packs these social issues into her prose, along with many unique stylistic elements. There is greater-than-normal use of Chinese terms, both transliterated, as in the word *ernai* for mistress *wasai *, a common interjection. At other times, Zhang translates idiomatic usages into English, as with “Born under a broomstick star” to describe Lotus’s tragic fate, or “play the flute,” common Chinese for a common sex act (ahem). Such expressions imbue a feeling of authenticity to Chinese dialogue in English, though even more effective in this regard is an accurate feel for how aggressive, even violent Chinese can seem to we gentle English speakers. In one line, for example, the couple ride out into the countryside in those familiar minivans that are in Chinese called *mianbao che*, or bread loaf trucks: “With a jerk, the bread loaf stopped. ‘Get out now! Out! My van can only go this far,’ the driver yelled back at them.”
Last but not least, Zhang has larded her prose with dozens of Chinese aphorisms. “How could dry wood resist a spark?” “Having sailed the ocean, how can one be content with a little stream?” “Don’t be the ugly toad that dreams of eating swan’s meat.” “We’ve gone through plenty of wind and rain together.” (Not to be confused with “Clouds and rain,” of course.) This quality combines with the boy-and-girl romance, two people with dreams of making China a better, fairer place, to produce a story that feels like a fairy tale, albeit one with a gritty edge.
May 12, 2020
📕Turbūt mažai yra Kinijos ar Japonijos autorių, kurių kūrybą itin mėgčiau. Tačiau buvo tarpsnis, kuomet Haruki Murakami romanus skaičiau vienas po kito, kol įvyko savotiškas lūžis ir jau kelerius metus nesu į rankas paėmusi nė vienos jo knygos. Nežinau, kas lemia mano nesėkmingą pažintį su minėtų šalių rašytojais, bet kaskart pradėjusi skaityti vieną kitą jų kūrinį, aš lieku nieko nepešusi ir nusivylusi. Todėl daviau sau pažadą, kad Rytų literatūrą rinksiuos labai atsakingai. Tačiau, kas mane pažįsta, žino, kad labai mėgstu tikrais įvykiais paremtas istorijas, kurioms dažniausiai sunku atsispirti vien dėl to, kad tai yra pasakojimai tų žmonių, kurie viską išgyveno ir patyrė savo kailiu. Viena tokių knygų, kuri sulaukė didelio skaitytojų dėmesio ir ne vienas ją skaitydamas braukė ašarą, tai Kinijos rašytojos ir žurnalistės Lijia Zhang romanas "Lotosas".
📕Ryškus ir Azijos kultūra dvelkiantis knygos viršelis pakvies skaitytojus keliauti į šiuolaikinę Kiniją, kuri balansuoja tarp tradicijų ir dabarties, tarp griežtų visuomenės moralinių normų ir klestinčios prostitucijos bei prekybos žmonėmis, tarp skurdo kaimuose ir prievartos fabrikuose. Per daug nesidominčiai Rytų šalių žmonių gyvenimu, man buvo lengvas šokas, kuomet skaitai ir prieš savo akis matai nuo visuomenės slepiamą dabartinės Kinijos realybę. Ir tik perskaitęs keletą šios knygos puslapių, supranti, kad tavęs laukia skaudus pasakojimas, paremtas autentiška medžiaga apie šiuolaikinės prostitutės gyvenimą, įkvėptas autorės senelės istorijos, kuri paauglystėje buvo parduota į viešnamį.
📕Studijų metais man pačiai teko daug domėtis prostitucijos fenomenu tiek Lietuvoje, tiek užsienyje, rašyti rašto darbus šia tema universitete ir net kalbinti seniausios profesijos atstoves mokslo tikslams. Todėl tokiems kūriniams, kurie rašo prostitucijos tema, aš keliu itin aukštus reikalavimus, kas liečia pačio kūrinio vertinimą. Skaitant šį pasakojimą, manęs vis neapleido jausmas, kad tai knygos "Geišos išpažintis" tęsinys. Tai nėra viena su kita panašumų turinčios istorijos, bet man vis norėjosi jas abi susieti dėl tos pačios tematikos. Būsiu atvira sakydama, kad ši knyga tikrai nėra prasta, ji tiesiog turi atrasti savo skaitytoją, kuriam būtų įdomus toks reiškinys kaip prostitucija Rytų šalyse. Tad per daug neatskleidžiant knygos siužeto, papasakosiu tai, ko galima tikėtis šioje istorijoje.
📕Lotosas-tai jaunos merginos slapyvardis, kuri yra priversta pardavinėti savo kūną Kinijos "nuodėmių mieste" Sendžene. Čia sekso darbuotojų gyvenimas pavojingas ir nelengvas: reikia saugotis policijos, likti patraukliai ir įtikti viešnamio šeimininkei. Skurdi buitis, nuolatinė baimė, prisiminimai apie alkaną vaikystę, namų ilgesys ir klientų užgaidos-visa tai sudaro Lotoso kasdienybę neoninių žibintų šviesoje. Tačiau Lotosas visomis išgalėmis stengiasi išsilaikyti, sumaniai siekiant savo tikslo: užsidirbti tiek, kad galėtų iš kaimo ištraukti studijuoti norintį brolį. Kaip pasikeičia tolimesnis merginos gyvenimas? Ar ji gali įsimylėti ir sukurti šeimyninę laimę?
📕Kuo skaitytojui ši knyga galėtų būti įdomi? Tai ne tik daugiasluoksnis pasakojimas apie vienos moters likimą, šiuolaikinės Kinijos problemas, tokias kaip skurdas, prostitucija, prekyba žmonėmis, korupcija ir išnaudojimas. Šis romanas vaizduoja nepadailintą šalies realybę, kurioje gyveno ne tik autorės močiutė, bet gyvena ir dabartinė visuomenė. Nors jis ir pateikia daug faktų apie Kinijos ekonomiką ir būdus kaip jauniems migrantams praturtėti, bet parodo ir tai, kaip žmonės, ištikti krizės ieško atsakymų ir gerumo ne tik savo kasdieniniame gyvenime, bet ir religijoje.
📕Todėl šią knygą pakviesiu skaityti mėgstančius originalius ir autentiškus atsiminimus, kuriuose stipriai jaučiama Rytų kultūra ir jos braižas. Tikiu, kad ši istorija abejingais nepaliks ir tų skaitytojų, kurie nori humaniško kūrinio apie nepalaužiamą moters stiprybę savo šalies kontekste. Bet turbūt geriausias apibūdinimas apie knygą skaitytojams, būtų šis: "Tai gražus atsiminimas apie jauną moterį, kurios amžius tampa tauta, kuri desperatiškai bando padaryti tą patį"📕
📕Ryškus ir Azijos kultūra dvelkiantis knygos viršelis pakvies skaitytojus keliauti į šiuolaikinę Kiniją, kuri balansuoja tarp tradicijų ir dabarties, tarp griežtų visuomenės moralinių normų ir klestinčios prostitucijos bei prekybos žmonėmis, tarp skurdo kaimuose ir prievartos fabrikuose. Per daug nesidominčiai Rytų šalių žmonių gyvenimu, man buvo lengvas šokas, kuomet skaitai ir prieš savo akis matai nuo visuomenės slepiamą dabartinės Kinijos realybę. Ir tik perskaitęs keletą šios knygos puslapių, supranti, kad tavęs laukia skaudus pasakojimas, paremtas autentiška medžiaga apie šiuolaikinės prostitutės gyvenimą, įkvėptas autorės senelės istorijos, kuri paauglystėje buvo parduota į viešnamį.
📕Studijų metais man pačiai teko daug domėtis prostitucijos fenomenu tiek Lietuvoje, tiek užsienyje, rašyti rašto darbus šia tema universitete ir net kalbinti seniausios profesijos atstoves mokslo tikslams. Todėl tokiems kūriniams, kurie rašo prostitucijos tema, aš keliu itin aukštus reikalavimus, kas liečia pačio kūrinio vertinimą. Skaitant šį pasakojimą, manęs vis neapleido jausmas, kad tai knygos "Geišos išpažintis" tęsinys. Tai nėra viena su kita panašumų turinčios istorijos, bet man vis norėjosi jas abi susieti dėl tos pačios tematikos. Būsiu atvira sakydama, kad ši knyga tikrai nėra prasta, ji tiesiog turi atrasti savo skaitytoją, kuriam būtų įdomus toks reiškinys kaip prostitucija Rytų šalyse. Tad per daug neatskleidžiant knygos siužeto, papasakosiu tai, ko galima tikėtis šioje istorijoje.
📕Lotosas-tai jaunos merginos slapyvardis, kuri yra priversta pardavinėti savo kūną Kinijos "nuodėmių mieste" Sendžene. Čia sekso darbuotojų gyvenimas pavojingas ir nelengvas: reikia saugotis policijos, likti patraukliai ir įtikti viešnamio šeimininkei. Skurdi buitis, nuolatinė baimė, prisiminimai apie alkaną vaikystę, namų ilgesys ir klientų užgaidos-visa tai sudaro Lotoso kasdienybę neoninių žibintų šviesoje. Tačiau Lotosas visomis išgalėmis stengiasi išsilaikyti, sumaniai siekiant savo tikslo: užsidirbti tiek, kad galėtų iš kaimo ištraukti studijuoti norintį brolį. Kaip pasikeičia tolimesnis merginos gyvenimas? Ar ji gali įsimylėti ir sukurti šeimyninę laimę?
📕Kuo skaitytojui ši knyga galėtų būti įdomi? Tai ne tik daugiasluoksnis pasakojimas apie vienos moters likimą, šiuolaikinės Kinijos problemas, tokias kaip skurdas, prostitucija, prekyba žmonėmis, korupcija ir išnaudojimas. Šis romanas vaizduoja nepadailintą šalies realybę, kurioje gyveno ne tik autorės močiutė, bet gyvena ir dabartinė visuomenė. Nors jis ir pateikia daug faktų apie Kinijos ekonomiką ir būdus kaip jauniems migrantams praturtėti, bet parodo ir tai, kaip žmonės, ištikti krizės ieško atsakymų ir gerumo ne tik savo kasdieniniame gyvenime, bet ir religijoje.
📕Todėl šią knygą pakviesiu skaityti mėgstančius originalius ir autentiškus atsiminimus, kuriuose stipriai jaučiama Rytų kultūra ir jos braižas. Tikiu, kad ši istorija abejingais nepaliks ir tų skaitytojų, kurie nori humaniško kūrinio apie nepalaužiamą moters stiprybę savo šalies kontekste. Bet turbūt geriausias apibūdinimas apie knygą skaitytojams, būtų šis: "Tai gražus atsiminimas apie jauną moterį, kurios amžius tampa tauta, kuri desperatiškai bando padaryti tą patį"📕
August 24, 2018
Lotus follows a young migrant girl from a rural village who finds herself turning to prostitution to not only stay in Shenzhen, but to also support her family back in Sichuan.
The book portrays the working "ji" (a term for prosititutes) as women who have all one way or another fallen into the sex trade because it is a lucrative way of supporting themselves or their families. The women are victims, but their boss, Moon, does not force them into their work, instead she provides a safe environment for them to service clients. I found this to be refreshing. Whilst many novels (rightly) portray sex work as incredibly abusive, Zhang Lijia showed a side of sex work which was neither violently abusive nor incredibly empowering. The ji were women trying to make a living and get by in the developing city of Shenzhen.
I think Lotus was a well-rounded character. We learn about her motives behind her continued sex work, and her hopes for the future of her family. She had character development, and I liked her arc. I thought her ending was quite . Her drive to support her younger brother, her anguish over the fate of her friend Little Red, and her conflicting emotions about her grandma and father were very relateable.
Bing was a character who ended up having much more of a role than I expected.
I am unsure what time period the book is set in. Perhaps the 1990s? There are a lot of cultural references to Deng Xiaoping etc, but since I am not very learned in Chinese history, I didn't know when exactly this book was set.
Overall I think the novel dragged on a bit too much. I found myself quite interested at the beginning but the story went on and on. I think it could have been 2/3rds of the final length.
The book portrays the working "ji" (a term for prosititutes) as women who have all one way or another fallen into the sex trade because it is a lucrative way of supporting themselves or their families. The women are victims, but their boss, Moon, does not force them into their work, instead she provides a safe environment for them to service clients. I found this to be refreshing. Whilst many novels (rightly) portray sex work as incredibly abusive, Zhang Lijia showed a side of sex work which was neither violently abusive nor incredibly empowering. The ji were women trying to make a living and get by in the developing city of Shenzhen.
I think Lotus was a well-rounded character. We learn about her motives behind her continued sex work, and her hopes for the future of her family. She had character development, and I liked her arc. I thought her ending was quite . Her drive to support her younger brother, her anguish over the fate of her friend Little Red, and her conflicting emotions about her grandma and father were very relateable.
Bing was a character who ended up having much more of a role than I expected.
I am unsure what time period the book is set in. Perhaps the 1990s? There are a lot of cultural references to Deng Xiaoping etc, but since I am not very learned in Chinese history, I didn't know when exactly this book was set.
Overall I think the novel dragged on a bit too much. I found myself quite interested at the beginning but the story went on and on. I think it could have been 2/3rds of the final length.
May 17, 2021
Prieš paimant skaityti Lotosą aš sugrįžtu į knygų mugę. Matau autorės žybančias akis, girdžiu jaudulio pilną balsą, girdžiu žodžius kokia svarbi jai ši istorija, matau šypseną džiaugiantis, kad knyga keliauja iš rankų į rankas.
Tada pamaniau, kad tai bus pasakojimas, kuris pasakis daug daugiau nei paprasta istorija.
Knyga "Lotosas" - tai istorija apie neišsilavinusią merginą iš kaimo, kuri gelbėdama savo šeimą, brolį nuo skurdo tampa prostitute.
Tai šių laikų istorija apie Kiniją, apie didelę nelygybę tarp kaimo žmonių ir miesto, apie socialinę atskirtį, susiskaldymą, savęs ieškojimą ir priėmimą.
Pagrindinė pasakojimo detalė yra prostitucija. Ir knygoje ji aprašoma labai išsamiai.
Papasakojama apie patį darbą, apie klientus, apie pasiruošimą jiems. Paaiškinamos ir kitos prostitucijos rūšys, kurių gali nė neįtarti esant.
Daugelis prostitučių gyvena tokį gyvenimą ir save apgaudinėja kurdamos išgalvotą gyvenimą, kitos neturi visai savivertės ir sutinka būti žeminamos, užgauliojamos. Nors kiekviena prostitutė turi savo pasaulėžiūrą, supratimą ir pasiteisinimą kodėl to imasi.
Skaitant knygą man atrodė, jog prostitutės visada turi galimybę atsitraukti iš šio darbo, nors jos yra įsipareigojusios tokiomis būti, bet neįkalintos tikrąją to žodžio prasme.
Atvirai kalbant, maniau tai bus kur kas stipresnė istorija, nors taip, susiskaitė tikrai lengvai ir vietomis įdomiai.
Pagrindinė istorijos veikėja Lotosas man sukėlė daug įvairių jausmų. Iš pradžių gailestį ir empatiją, supratimą, kad tai jautri ir pasiaukojanti asmenybė, bet skaitant toliau man tikrai pasidarė nebeaišku ar ji nekalta mergelė ar kaip tik tvirta, žinanti ko nori ir visai ne nekalta mergelė.
Aš tikiu, kad autorei ši istorija yra labai svarbi ir net asmeniška. Ji atliko ne vieną prostitucijos tyrimą, gyveno tuo ne vienerius metus, bet man kaip skaitytojai, norinčiai šiek tiek daugiau pritrūko vientisumo ir tikrumo. Norisi teigti, kad istorija dar ne iki galo subrandinta, lyg skubėta parašyti, nors pasakyti norima labai daug.
Tada pamaniau, kad tai bus pasakojimas, kuris pasakis daug daugiau nei paprasta istorija.
Knyga "Lotosas" - tai istorija apie neišsilavinusią merginą iš kaimo, kuri gelbėdama savo šeimą, brolį nuo skurdo tampa prostitute.
Tai šių laikų istorija apie Kiniją, apie didelę nelygybę tarp kaimo žmonių ir miesto, apie socialinę atskirtį, susiskaldymą, savęs ieškojimą ir priėmimą.
Pagrindinė pasakojimo detalė yra prostitucija. Ir knygoje ji aprašoma labai išsamiai.
Papasakojama apie patį darbą, apie klientus, apie pasiruošimą jiems. Paaiškinamos ir kitos prostitucijos rūšys, kurių gali nė neįtarti esant.
Daugelis prostitučių gyvena tokį gyvenimą ir save apgaudinėja kurdamos išgalvotą gyvenimą, kitos neturi visai savivertės ir sutinka būti žeminamos, užgauliojamos. Nors kiekviena prostitutė turi savo pasaulėžiūrą, supratimą ir pasiteisinimą kodėl to imasi.
Skaitant knygą man atrodė, jog prostitutės visada turi galimybę atsitraukti iš šio darbo, nors jos yra įsipareigojusios tokiomis būti, bet neįkalintos tikrąją to žodžio prasme.
Atvirai kalbant, maniau tai bus kur kas stipresnė istorija, nors taip, susiskaitė tikrai lengvai ir vietomis įdomiai.
Pagrindinė istorijos veikėja Lotosas man sukėlė daug įvairių jausmų. Iš pradžių gailestį ir empatiją, supratimą, kad tai jautri ir pasiaukojanti asmenybė, bet skaitant toliau man tikrai pasidarė nebeaišku ar ji nekalta mergelė ar kaip tik tvirta, žinanti ko nori ir visai ne nekalta mergelė.
Aš tikiu, kad autorei ši istorija yra labai svarbi ir net asmeniška. Ji atliko ne vieną prostitucijos tyrimą, gyveno tuo ne vienerius metus, bet man kaip skaitytojai, norinčiai šiek tiek daugiau pritrūko vientisumo ir tikrumo. Norisi teigti, kad istorija dar ne iki galo subrandinta, lyg skubėta parašyti, nors pasakyti norima labai daug.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 158 reviews