Vorab-RezensentenMingmei Yip

In this mesmerizing new novel, Mingmei Yip draws readers deeper into the exotic world of 1930s Shanghai first explored in Skeleton Women, and into the lives of the unforgettable Camilla, Shadow, and Rainbow Chang. When Shadow, a gifted, ambitious magician, competed with the beautiful Camilla for the affections of organized crime leader Master Lung, she almost lost everything. Hiding out in Hong Kong, performing in a run-down circus, Shadow has no idea that Camilla, too, is on the run with her lover, Jinying--Lung's son. Yet while Camilla and Shadow were once enemies, now their only hope of freedom lies in joining forces to eliminate the ruthless Big Brother Wang. Despite the danger, Shadow, Camilla, and Jinying return to Shanghai. Camilla also has her own secret agenda--she has heard a rumor that her son is alive. And in a city teeming with spies and rivals--including the vengeful Rainbow Chang--each battles for a future in a country on the verge of monumental change.

{LibraryThing description} Following her successful debut Peach Blossom Pavilion, Mingmei Yip’s much-anticipated second novel is an evocative and sensual portrayal of a Chinese woman torn between the east and the west. At age twenty, Ming Neng tells her mother that she wants to be a Buddhist nun. She will not be dissuaded—especially upon meeting her mentor, Yi Kong, and feeling enchanted by the nun’s beauty, talent, exquisite art collection, and mysterious background. At thirty, after studying art in Paris, Ming Neng enters a retreat to test her karma as a nun. A fire breaks out and a young American doctor saves Ming Neng’s life. Ming Neng finds herself charmed and soon yields her body to him. Caught between her long-held spiritual quest and newfound desires, Ming Neng must find a way to her heart’s true calling.

Following her successful debut Peach Blossom Pavilion, Mingmei Yip’s much-anticipated second novel is an evocative and sensual portrayal of a Chinese woman torn between the east and the west. At age twenty, Ming Neng tells her mother that she wants to be a Buddhist nun. She will not be dissuaded—especially upon meeting her mentor, Yi Kong, and feeling enchanted by the nun’s beauty, talent, exquisite art collection, and mysterious background. At thirty, after studying art in Paris, Ming Neng enters a retreat to test her karma as a nun. A fire breaks out and a young American doctor saves Ming Neng’s life. Ming Neng finds herself charmed and soon yields her body to him. Caught between her long-held spiritual quest and newfound desires, Ming Neng must find a way to her heart’s true calling.