Old Courtesan Shadows: Brothels and Courtesans of Old Guangzhou

Author: Jiang Jianguo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: In the dazzling and bizarre late Qing Dynasty Guangzhou society, courtesans and brothels formed a unique landscape. As a special and complex social group, courtesans were not merely objects of prostitution but also significant figures in lifestyle and public stages. They showcased fashion in bustling streets, exuded confidence in brothels, spent fortunes in gambling dens, smoked and inhaled clouds in opium dens, accompanied drinkers in restaurants, and engaged in flirtation and play in private chambers. Smoking, gambling, and prostitution were the three major vices of old Guangzhou, causing immense harm to society. This cannot fail to attract our high attention. The author of this book has long been engaged in research on Guangzhou's consumer culture, accumulating a vast amount of primary historical materials, particularly rich in records of the prostitution industry in Guangzhou since the late Qing Dynasty. The author interprets and studies these materials within the framework of social life and consumer culture, abandoning the traditional, academically rigorous writing style. Instead, the book combines academic depth, knowledge, and entertainment, supplemented by numerous precious and rare photographs, presenting a vivid and illustrated popular reading for a broad audience. This is an invaluable work that comprehensively discusses the prostitution industry in Guangzhou. The book is well-structured, with a light yet scholarly language that embodies academic essence, demonstrating strong readability and academic rigor!