Old Mansion Dreams: Memories of a Shanghai Veteran Fashionista

Author: Shu Fen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: "CARAT" is the phonetic translation of the English word "CARAT," a unit used to measure the weight of diamonds and precious stones, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams. Even today, the term "old CARAT" is still used in Shanghai dialect to refer to those who have a deeper understanding of the "aristocratic" lifestyle of old Shanghai. These individuals mostly came from wealthy families and received a "Westernized" education at the time, therefore witnessing the social life of the "" (ten-mile ocean square), where people of Chinese and foreign backgrounds mixed together, surrounded by dazzling lights, wine, and bizarre phenomena. Although the times have changed, many events and figures still remain in their memories. The author of this book is such an "old CARAT," and the eighteen essays in the book are all drawn from his memories of old rumors and experiences.