Reviews

Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang

anneliehyatt's review against another edition

4.0

well-written and vivid short stories about gender dynamics, filial piety, and social politics in 20th century china. strengths of eileen chang’s writing includes lively dialogue, a keen sense writing drama, and a great attention to colors, smells, and setting that make all her stories have an unforgettable mood. however, even though i am somewhat familiar with 20th century chinese history, i still felt a bit lost (especially in the Golden Cangue, i was really confused). i’m sure that if i grew up in china and read this in chinese these would become some of my favorite stories—as of right now, i really loved “sealed off” and the first two in the collection, “aloeswood incense” and “jasmine tea.”

brannonkrkhuang's review against another edition

5.0

Eileen Chang writes such beautiful, sexy, tragic words and I’m obsessed. 

rogankeira's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sedamnes's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

neemsxo's review

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sarah_dietrich's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful pieces, each one quite unique. Examinations of life in Hong Kong & Shanghai. Chang has lovely writing.

nakedsushi's review against another edition

3.0

Eileen Chang connects this collection of short stories together by the common theme of troubled relationships. The turmoil of the relationships in these stories mirror the changes taking part in China during that time.

While I always felt a sense of dread when starting each new story, knowing that it'll never end in happily ever after, I was also eager to see what twists and turns the characters would go through in their quest for love.

reneeteoh's review

dark emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

6 short stories: 
- Aloeswood Incense: The First Brazier
- Jasmine Tea
- Love in a fallen city
- The Golden Cangue
- Sealed Off
- Red Rose, White Rose

All were pleasant to read, love the stories, definitely flawed and troubled characters, but got a glimpsed of 1900s Shanghai and Hong Kong. How chinese families used to function, the lives of women at that time. 6 different stories of love: toxic, sad, complicated, happy at one point and then it gets taken away

sarapalooza's review against another edition

4.0

Eileen Chang’s translation into English is a gift to Western readers. Chang writes with a perspective not often encountered - unique and illuminating.

hammiau's review

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

It’s not horrible enough that I couldn’t finish it but reading a 300 pg book over the course of 1 month AND during summer definitely says enough about it.