Status Updates From 倾城之恋

•"Sealed Off" (4/5) - the shortest story in the collection, and so far the most potent. Really nails the themes. And I think I generally prefer a 10-20 page short story to a 60 page story.

• "The Golden Cangue" - (3.5/5)

This one was interesting. Pretty tough to keep up with all the similar Chinese names...

A collection of short stories, all written in the 40s; all about Hong Kong/Shanghai in that transitionary state; all about the difficulty of love and connection in that time and place. Through the first three stories, I am impressed by Chang's economy of storytelling and sweet, simple prose.

• Aloeswood Incense: The First Brazier (4/5)
• Jasmine Tea (3.5/5)
• Love in a Fallen City (4/5)

oh god i really am very tired of this book, i will finish it tho

the male loneliness epidemic sometimes they deserve it (jasmine tea)

also I keep trying to lock in and finish this book before the NY (unlikely) but indyreads I love you so dearly and hate you all at the same time. ty for ur expansive library, ur ereader strikes the anger of Zeus into me

ooft just finished the titular novella and fear this is well written but v boring to me

incredibly unsurprising but still harrowing that 2 of the translated books i've read this year which are considered classics by their respective countries were US-funded propaganda, this one (funded by the US to write anti-communist propaganda) and 'the beautyful ones are not yet born' - ayi kewi armah (work supported by a fund revealed to be a cia front) knowingly and unknowingly. sickandtwisted!