Shanghai Baby

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The divide between those born in the 1970s and the older generation is stark. Dark, edgy, and provocatively naughty, this novel has gained cult status in mainland China, alarming authorities to the point of confiscating and burning thousands of copies. With explicit content reminiscent of Henry Miller and the shock of Trainspotting, it follows the life of Coco, a beautiful writer navigating her erotic affairs in Shanghai. Working in a café, she meets her first lover, a sensitive artist, and defies her parents by moving in with him, plunging into a world of drugs and hedonism. As her boyfriend spirals into addiction, Coco finds herself drawn to a wealthy German businessman with a taste for S/M and seduction. Surrounded by a diverse group of friends, including a streetwise madame and a rebellious filmmaker, Coco explores love and lust, confronting her guilt and fears while awakening her sexual identity. This novel offers a vivid glimpse into the back streets of Shanghai and the intense experiences of today's liberated youth. The author’s bold portrayal of cultural transition and the clash between tradition and modernity reveals an unacknowledged new China, challenging official narratives and showcasing a generation eager to break free.