Sea of Dreams (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Sun Jiazhen (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Dream of a Vast Sea, written by Sun Jiazhen during the late Qing Dynasty, originally titled A Madman Dreaming of the Sea, is one of the representative works of late Qing erotic novels. The book depicts the grotesque prosperity of Shanghai's foreign concessions, a secluded paradise during the declining Qing Dynasty, showcasing the secular landscape of late 19th-century and early modern China. Dream of a Vast Sea draws its material from the social life of late Qing Shanghai, focusing on brothels and gambling dens, and relatively authentically reflects the decadent habits of the feudal class and comprador forces in Shanghai's semi-colonial era. It exposes the various forms of deceit, extortion, and harm among prostitutes, clients, and gamblers. This work is highly influential in late Qing erotic novels, and the vivid portrayal of Shanghai's nightlife—lit with wine and red lanterns, drenched in opulence and gold—provides an invaluable, visual understanding of that time and world.