Inspired by the secret life of the author’s grandmother, Lotus follows a young woman torn between past traditions and modern desires as she carves out a life for herself in China’s “City of Sins.”
Reserved, at times defiant, Lotus is different from the other streetwalkers. Her striking eyes glow under Shenzhen’s neon lights, capturing the attention of Funny Eye, Family Treasure, and a slew of other demanding clients determined to make Lotus their property. Choosing between wealthy, powerful, and dangerous men is no easy feat, but it is a surprising offer from Binbing, a soft-spoken and humble photojournalist, that presents the biggest challenge. Is Lotus willing to fall in love? Is she capable of it?
Inspired by the deathbed revelation that the author’s grandmother had been sold to a brothel in her youth, Lotus offers compelling insight into China’s bustling underground world and reveals the surprising strength found in those confronted with impossible choices. Written with compassion and vivid prose, and packed with characters you won’t soon forget, Lijia Zhang’s Lotus examines what it means to be an individual in a society that praises restraint in and obedience from its women.
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“Lin is an excellent choice as narrator because of the many Mandarin names and words peppered throughout the story. The narrator’s proficiency in the language creates a seamless listening experience…Because of the warmth and precision of Lin’s evocative delivery, we sympathize with the difficulties of Lotus’ life of prostitution and agonize over her limited choices. Lin’s lyrical style suits the poetic prose, which lingers in one’s ear even after the audiobook ends.”
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