Old Shadows of Brothels - Prostitution and Prostitutes in 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 formed a unique landscape. As a special and complex social group, prostitutes were not merely objects of erotic life 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 clouds of tobacco in opium dens, accompanied drinkers in restaurants, and engaged in flirtation in private chambers. In the riverside areas, they smoked, gambled, and visited brothels—these were the three major social evils 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, 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, breaking away from the traditional, scholarly writing style. This book combines academic rigor, knowledge, and entertainment, supplemented by numerous valuable and rare photographs, presenting a vivid and illustrated popular reading for a broad audience. It is an invaluable work that comprehensively discusses the prostitution industry in Guangzhou. The book is well-structured, with a light yet scholarly language that captures the essence of academic knowledge, making it highly readable and academically sound!