Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels

Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels by Claire Chao, Isabel Sun Chao is a most engaging and enchanting narrative that will almost certainly provide a rewarding and satisfying reading experience.The journey of a "thousand miles" begins with the return of the third daughter, Isabel Sun Chao, and her daughter, Claire, as they stand together in front of the ancestral home of Isabel in Shanghai, China.As the literal doors of the home are opened so are the parallel doors of countless memories experienced by the author. Together, through her mastery of exquisite and masterfully chosen words, we are escorted and ushered into a nostalgic corridor of privileged life prior to communistic China, the opulence of certain Chinese cultural enjoyments by a few, and the hard cold reality of life when its fragileness is disrupted.In addition to the creatively captured and unfolding journey of the talented author are glimpses into the vast richness of life amongst the Chinese wealthy. A life that includes concubines, French perfume, beautiful clothes tailored by live-in tailors to name a few of the enjoyment of opulence.However, no amount of privileges, wealth, or status can protect against betrayal, sadness, heartache, infidelity, separation from family, syndicated crime, or the devastation of oppressive governments.And so, Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels is such a journey that is recalled by Isabel Sun Chao; a truly marvelous and most wonderful read.Added to the mix is the historical perspective that is highlighted by the author as a first-person witness. Additionally, adding to the verbal imagery are the creative illustrations and inclusion of tender family photographs of days gone by. One additional and intriguing element to the author's story is her work with the USIS (U.S. Information Service).Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels by Claire Chao, Isabel Sun Chao is truly a literal gift to avid and non-avid readers alike. The pages contain a multi-generational account of the Sun family from their homeland of China and specifically Shanghai to Hong Kong and then a return to one's roots. The reader will most likely find themselves completely immersed in the wonderfully captured story that also highlights Chinese culture and life.

This has to be the loveliest self-published book I have ever read. It has a beautiful, pictoral hard cover and many colorful illustrations and photos.It took mother and daughter ten years to write this book about their interesting Chinese family.Not that long ago the family was among the wealthiest in China, but over three generations, of war, intrigue and the "Cultural Revolution": the money, dignity, and family disintegrated.Mother and daughter tell the sad family story in a very readable way. I enjoyed the book.

Fascinating family history! I really enjoyed it.

Although it’s called a memoir, this book is also a work of art and a fascinating bit of history. The authors are mother and daughter, Isabel being the mother who was born in Shanghai in 1931. Claire was born in 1961 when the family lived in Hong Kong. Isabel’s father moved to Shanghai in 1913 when she was an infant, the only child of prosperous parents. During Isabel’s younger years, Shanghai was a haven for the displaced: Russians fleeing Bolsheviks, Jews fleeing Nazis, Communists in hiding and refugees seeking shelter. The city even had two different electrical systems with 110 volts on the French side and 220 volts in the International Settlement. In the late 1920s the Kuomintang were hunting down the revered Communist revolutionary, Zhou Enlai, who was hiding in Shanghai.. The leader of the Kuomintang was Chang Kai-shek. The Communists eventually took over in October 1949 when Chairman Mao Zedong declared the nation as the Peoples Republic of China. Chang Kai-shek and his citizens escaped to Formosa which is now Taiwan. Japan invaded China in the late 1930s before the start of WWII. One of the things they did was to ban the use of radios by Shanghai residents, a crude attempt at blocking American broadcasts by such luminous “enemies” as Bing Crosby. After the war Isabel recalled her love of watching American movies. Some of her favorites were Gone with the Wind, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Kismet, and All This and Heaven Too starring Bette Davis. Isabel and Claire wrote different parts of the book but Isabel is the principle author. The text shown in normal English characters is Isabel’s narrative while those sections in italics are the results of Claire’s research. The book is a fascinating bit of history, populated with photographs of family members along with colorful sketches of street scenes, buildings and historic paintings. There is also a family tree diagram and a glossary of Chinese words with their English translations. This is a wonderful and highly unusual book, a valuable addition to the personal library of anyone who is interested in the history and customs of China.

Story is interrupted with footnotes of dictionary definitions used by the daughter to “explain” to the readers what her mother is saying. It is definitely 2 writers on different pages of intention. One, the autobiographer, relating her memory; and two the daughter attempting to understand a foreign language and customs as her mother tells the story; the daughter uses a reference book and repeats the definitions she just discovered. Are the constant side notes for the readers’ benefit or the daughter’s benefit? I think the former. A glossary could have been included without the daughter infusing definitions into the narrative. Daughter is claiming Co-authorship but... not really writing. She is lip syncing a foreign language dictionary. and interrupting a potentially interesting storyteller. It’s a popular book. The little hand drawn colored pictures are childishly cute insertions into a personal storyline as the daughter attempts to “explain” her mother‘’s memories with mater a fact dictionary definitions.

A captivating family memoir that brings to life a Shanghai that has largely disappeared.

The author’s family in the old Shanghai just like a Chinese version of a mini scale Downton Abbey. So grateful that Isabel and Claire wrote this book and told the story about Shanghai’s rich history and horrible and miserable dark days after 1949. Able to resonate with the author(s)’s experience made this reading so interesting and exciting.

Fast-paced, exciting story, beautiful illustrations ... even little cultural explanations after each chapter. It should be required reading for anyone looking for a great memoir about China.

Brought back great memories to our elderly mother. Even the shop that made her wedding gown, and many more reveries were mentioned. She loved it. Would be great to be able to write directly to the mother and daughter authors and thank the dear ladies for giving Mum a wonderful "gift". Can Amazon help, please?

I am a big fan of non-fiction books set in foreign countries. You find out so much about it’s history and culture. This book delivered both and was both enjoyable and sad. It’s always sad when a family and country are ravaged by war. I will never understand the evil in humanity. The world is a beautiful place, life is too short and we should all be striving to make it a peaceful, amazing place to explore and enjoy.

Good book to read and definitely a trip down to the memory lane for anyone interested in communism, China, family and so many other snippets of a full lived life