I simply loved it. It's a very delicate and wild narrative at the same time. Chinese fiction is different than japanese fiction, but it has its charms. I haven't read anything as feminine as this book in ages.

Recieved this morning as part of an NSSS package. Wow, this looks interesting. Many thanks.

(Blurb on the back of the book)

"A story of love, sex and self-discovery- banned in China.

Publicly burned in Chian for its sensual nature and irreverent style, this novel is the semi-autobiographical story of Coco, a cafe waitress, who is full of enthusiasm and imaptience for life. She meets a young man Tian Tian, for whom she feels tenderness and love, but he is reclusive, impotent and an increasing user of drugs. Despite parental objections, Coco moves in with him, leaves her job and throws herself into writing.

Shortly afterwards she meets Mark, a married Westerner. The two are uncontrollably attracted and begin a highly charged, physical affair. Torn between het two lovers, and tormented by deceit, her unfinished novel and the conflicting feelings involved in love and betrayal, Coco begins to find out who she really is.

Here is a beautifully written novel with a distinct voice that describes China on the brink of its own social and sexual revolution."

I don't normally go in for women's fiction so it took me a while to pluck up the courage to read this book. Despite my initial reservations I found myself being drawn into it. Although some of the speach has a "translated to English" feel about it , I found that the highly descriptive lifestyle more than made up for it. There were a few scenes where I had to skip a page simply because the sexual content was unappealing for me (I hate reading about other peoples sex lives I prefer to enjoy my own :P). In all I enjoyed this book, it provides the reader with real-life drama and human emotion that some of us can probably empathise with. I would definately recommend it to any one who is interested in chinese culture, real-life situations or women's fiction in general.

Many thanks for sending me this, it was great.

This book was stolen from me by Sunlightbub on www.bookswaplive.com

Hope you enjoy it :)

Looks fab - Thanks so much xxxxxx