Set on the eve of the Rape of Nanjing - when Japanese troops invaded this historic capital city, massacred hundreds of thousands, and committed thousands of rapes - Nanjing 1937 is a tender and humorous story of an impossible love and a lively, detailed historical portrait of a people on the verge of destruction.

Ding Wenyu, a privileged, womanizing, narcissistic professor of languages is transformed from outlandish rake to devoted lover. Trapped in a sterile marriage, caught up in a cycle of drinking and debauchery, he falls headlong in love with the young and beautiful Yuyuan when he catches sight of her on her wedding day and publicly professes his love for her - to great ridicule from all concerned. As the Japanese invade Nanjing and the city is consumed by bloodshed and violence, Yuyuan's marriage begins to crumble. In desperation she turns to Ding, and an epic love story begins. (Blurb)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book was part of the Contemporary Asian Literature VBB and is travelling to chucklesthescot now.
Happy reading!

Looking forward to reading another choice from ApoloniaX's virtual bookbox. I hope to have some good winter reading!

When I started to read this one I soon realised that it just wasn't my type of book. I'm one of the people who don't like the descriptive, slowly weaving the plot together, in depth character biography type of books so I found my mind wandering quickly. If you like this type of reading I'm sure you'll probably enjoy it so now I seek a new reader for the book!

Sending this as a rabck for my winter giveaway. Enjoy!

Thanks chuckles, the book's in Finland!

A tender and humorous story, claims the back cover blurb. Well, I beg to disagree. I thought this was a boring recounting of events and happenings with no emotional engagement whatsoever and brought on by a cast of characters who were neither particularly interesting nor pleasant. Disappointing.

Sorry for holding on to it for so long, though! I'm now going to find it a reader who will hopefully appreciate it a bit more.

My wife normally likes reading books situated in China, took it for her to read. Hope it will be her taste then!