The Courtesans of China
- Book: Peach Blossom Pavilion
- Location: China, Shanghai
- Author: Mingmei Yip
Overall, I found Peach Blossom Pavilion an interesting read. I’ve read very little fiction that deals with the lives of the courtesans of China, so this insight into the traditions and the treatment of the girls was fascinating.
Precious Orchid does at times come across as just that; ‘precious’. She often makes decisions, especially after fleeing the Pavilion that are difficult for the reader to understand, but do add to the action and adventure of the story.
Mingmei Yip is a great storyteller, and it is obvious that she really knows her subject – her passion shines through in her writing. Her descriptions are evocative, whilst at times her attention to detail can make for uncomfortable reading, especially around Precious Orchid’s introduction to life as a sex worker. However, this really did happen, and to gloss over and romanticise these events would do them no justice whatsover.
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