Synopses & Reviews
“Duncan Jepson magically inhabits the life of a young Chinese woman in 1930s Shanghai….I thoroughly enjoyed this book.”
—Janice Y. K. Lee,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Piano Teacher“Breathtaking….A great work that will move its readers.”
—Hong Ying, international bestselling author of Daughter of the River
Readers previously enchanted by Memoirs of a Geisha, Empress, and the novels of Lisa See will be captivated by Duncan Jepsons marvelous debut, All the Flowers in Shanghai. Evocative, sweeping, yet intimate historical fiction, Jepsons novel transports us to a China on the brink of revolution, and witnesses this colorful, tumultuous world through the eyes of a woman forced into a life not of her choosing and driven to seek a bitter revenge. This epic journey into the heart of Asia is sure to mesmerize fans of Shanghai Girls and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
Review
“The life of this novels main character is splintered into thousands of pieces, each of them reflecting the changes of Chinese history, yet all of them coming out in Duncan Jepsons poetic, passionate writing.” Qiu Xiaolong, author of the Inspector Chen mysteries
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“This story is breathtaking. Like a poem or a painting, it reveals the old Shanghai. Its a great work that will move its readers.” Hong Ying, international bestselling author of Daughter of the River
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“An accomplished first novel. Duncan Jepson magically inhabits the life of a young Chinese woman in 1930s Shanghai, following Fengs unlikely evolution from neglected second daughter to first wife of the rich and powerful Sang family and her unexpected epilogue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.” Janice Y. K. Lee, < i=""> New York Times <> bestselling author of < i=""> The Piano Teacher <>
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“A beautifully poetic story. Duncan Jepson creates a poignant set of characters and follows the journey of one woman who attempts to stop the cycle of history in the only way she knows how, but with dire consequences.” Geling Yan, author of < i=""> The Banquet Bug <>
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“[A] riveting storyline.” Publishers Weekly
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“Strong on detail and emotional intensity.” Kirkus Reviews
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“Jepson...evokes time and place well as he describes the life of privilege that Feng comes to take for granted only to have her life veer dramatically and be overtaken by the Great Leap Forward.” Booklist
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“Poignant and elegantly written.” Romantic Times
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“[Jepson] does a solid job of voicing a female character.” Library Journal
Synopsis
Duncan Jepson magically inhabits the life of a young Chinese woman in 1930s Shanghai .I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Janice Y. K. Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Piano Teacher
Breathtaking .A great work that will move its readers. Hong Ying, international bestselling author of Daughter of the River
Readers previously enchanted by Memoirs of a Geisha, Empress, and the novels of Lisa See will be captivated by Duncan Jepson s marvelous debut, All the Flowers in Shanghai. Evocative, sweeping, yet intimate historical fiction, Jepson s novel transports us to a China on the brink of revolution, and witnesses this colorful, tumultuous world through the eyes of a woman forced into a life not of her choosing and driven to seek a bitter revenge. This epic journey into the heart of Asia is sure to mesmerize fans of Shanghai Girls and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan."
Synopsis
For every young Chinese woman in 1930s Shanghai, following the path of duty takes precedence over personal desires
For Feng, that means becoming the bride of a wealthy businessman in a marriage arranged by her parents. In the enclosed world of the Sang household—a place of public ceremony and private cruelty—fulfilling her duty means bearing a male heir.
The life that has been forced on her makes Feng bitter and resentful, and she plots a terrible revenge. But with the passing years comes a reckoning, and Feng must reconcile herself with the sacrifices and terrible choices she has made in order to assure her place in the family and society—even as the violent, relentless tide of revolution engulfs her country.
Both a sweeping historical novel and an intimate portrait of one womans struggle against tradition, All the Flowers in Shanghai marks the debut of a sensitive and revelatory writer.
About the Author
Duncan Jepson is the award-winning director and producer of five feature films. He has also produced documentaries for Discovery Channel Asia and National Geographic Channel. He was the editor of the Asia-based fashion magazine West East and is a founder and managing editor of the Asia Literary Review. A lawyer by profession, he lives in Hong Kong.