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, prostitutes and brothels were a unique sight. As a special and complex social group, prostitutes were not merely objects of sexual life but also important figures in lifestyles and public stages. They showcased fashion in bustling streets, exuded confidence in brothels, spent fortunes in gambling dens, smoked and gambled in opium dens, accompanied drinkers in restaurants, and engaged in flirtation in private chambers. Smoking, gambling, and prostitution were the three major vices of old Guangzhou, causing immense harm to society. This cannot go without our high attention. The author of this book has long been engaged in research on Guangzhou's consumer culture and has accumulated a vast amount of primary historical materials, especially rich in records of the prostitution industry in Guangzhou since the late Qing Dynasty. The author interprets and studies these materials from the perspective of social life and consumer culture, breaking away from the traditional, academically rigorous writing style. The book combines academic depth, knowledge, and entertainment, supplemented by numerous valuable and rare photographs, presenting a vivid and illustrative 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, making it highly readable and academically sound!