The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein - Book Giveaway
I’ve been wanting to review books either written by Chinese authors or containing a Chinese setting, but until recently, I haven’t really seen many. Now I have a few waiting on my “to-be-reviewed” shelf; I suppose we can credit this interest to the Beijing Olympics. Lately we’ve all had a little glimpse into different aspects of Chinese life and culture. For me, The Painter from Shanghai has been more than a glimpse; it has been a riveting history lesson hidden between the pages of an amazing story.
Jennifer Cody Epstein took her fascination with the Chinese painter Pan Yuliang and turned it into a well-written, painstakingly researched story that gives us a vivid portrait of what this artist’s life may have been like. Although we don’t know a lot of detail about Pan Yuliang, we do know she was orphaned and sold into prostitution, and that she was rescued by a man who took a special interest in her. There are other skeletal details, but Epstein has filled in the picture to add flesh and muscle. Pan Yuliang and her early 1900’s China leaps to life and keeps every one of the over 400 pages burning with tales of art, Chinese culture, and one woman’s struggle to become the artist society says she has no right to be.
Having been to art school, I appreciated Epstein’s ability to comfortably write about art and the technical aspects of painting and drawing. As an avid reader, I was impressed with her knack for making these technical tidbits flow through a story, without dragging the reader through any dull sections. Everything flowed effortlessly in a way that will allow any reader to follow the pace set.
Want to win your own copy of The Painter from Shanghai? I’ve got your ticket to China via typeface, so leave me a comment and good luck!
3 Ways to Win:
1.) Leave a comment telling me if you know anything of Chinese art or culture. What interests you most about either? Have fun with your comment! Winners are randomly chosen, but if the name drawn doesn’t respond, I choose the next winner by comment.
2.) Email subscribers are entered into this and all future giveaways, for as long as their subscription is active. Simply place your email address in the little white box at the top of my sidebar on the right. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)
3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post.
Do all three, and you’ve got three entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Friday, August 22, 2008, to enter.
1Gina Benway
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 9:38
Many observers believe that the most original and interesting area of contemporary Chinese art is video and photography and not painting and sculpture. I’m kind of tied on this one. They are both so beautiful! ..Thanks
2Gina Stratos
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 11:38
If you are anywhere near San Francisco, you should go to the Asian Art Museum located in Golden Gate Park. It’s stunning.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
3Alyce
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 12:25
I don’t know a whole lot about Chinese art or culture. I have read a few books about Chinese Americans (like “On Gold Mountain” by Lisa See) but I don’t have a thorough knowledge.
4A. Ashley
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 13:10
I love reading books in this genre because I’m obsessed with Asian art and entertainment.
Thank you for the contest.
5Popin
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 16:12
This is on my TBR list, so I’d love to win this. I’ve read a few books about Asian culture, like Japan and India, but never read anything by China. Considering how beautiful their movies are usually done, I’m actually a bit surprised that I haven’t read any books about China.
I’ve also left a link of this contest at my blog - it’s off to the side.
Thanks!
~ Popin
6Chole Allyson
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 18:58
I do not know anything about the Chinese culture or arts. My mother is Japanese, so I know a lot about that culture. But I would be interested to know about the Chinese
7christopher h
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 19:03
i know nothing of chinese culture or art, i do know about chinese food, if that’s of any help
8Dian A
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 19:21
Trying to understand the Chinese culture reminds me of trying to see the bottom of my feet while standing on them.
Three times I’ve been to China and I am no closer.
What you see is seldom what it is, case in point the young girl who lip synced during the Olympic openings.
9Kathleen
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 19:27
I really don’t know much about Chinese culture/or art…. I do love the beautiful designs displayed in their fashion though. Blossoms, dragons, their use of color- it’s all very beautiful. You could say that their fashion is art. Thanks for another great giveaway
10marleen davis
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 19:56
I always felt that Asian culture was beautiful and graceful. My favorite movie was “the flower drum song”
11Anita Yancey
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 20:09
I don’t really know much about Chinese art or culture, except for their movies. I really enjoy the movies.
12mark
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 20:13
Dont know nothing about it.
13Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 20:28
I love Chinese art and culture and woulf like to learn more. Great giveaway, thanks!
14Nancy
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 20:33
Last summer I read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel by Dai Sijie and Ina Rilke. The setting of the story was China during Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution. The story emphasized the power of literature to liberate and empower the reader. Should you read that book,you will no longer take for granted the opportunity Americans have to read what we want. The Chinese seem to prize story telling and oral folk story traditions.
My knowledge about Chinese art and cultural is very limited and quite general. I have been to Japan, but have not yet had the opportunity to see China. It would be a fascinating trip, if only by arm-chair via a book.
15ruth
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 21:29
Since I heard about this unique and amazing book a short time ago I have been curious about Chinese culture and art. I have read about Shanghai in particular which captivates me entirely since many escaped there from the Nazi’s. This book is something special. Thanks for this great giveaway.
16Michelle
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 21:46
This sounds like a wonderful book. I’d love to read it.
17Deborah Rose
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 21:51
I know a little bit about Chinese culture, but not enough to brag about it. It’s a very old culture and we have a lot to learn from it.
18Helen
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 22:05
My father was from China but we weren’t raised with the Chinese culture, it was more important for us to be raised as American. As fascinating as it is, it’s a culture that is more distant to how I feel as an individual.
19sharon
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 22:12
we just visited China, and I was fortunate enough to see some drawing, painting,a silk factory and more…
I have tremendous respect and admiration for Chinese art and would dearly love to read this book
20Cindi
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 22:15
What a lovely book cover for a book about a talented artist! All I really know about this particular artist is that she was sent to a brothel after the death of her parents. She was going to be raised to be a prostitute. She was rescued by an older man who married her.
Pan began to paint and primarily nudes. This violated the Chinese culture of the time. She ended up in France. I would really enjoy reading this book. Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks…..
Cindi
21Susanne Troop
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 22:33
I know very little…but have a strong desire to visit China someday!
22C Duran
wrote on 15 August 2008 at 23:44
Right now I don’t know a lot about Chinese art or culture, but I actually just bought a book about it yesterday. We are going to China in September, so I am trying to read up on the subject!
23Alain Denommee
wrote on 16 August 2008 at 3:58
Books are such a great way to travel and “meet” other cultures. count me in onthis one I really want to read it
24Carla
wrote on 16 August 2008 at 6:29
Chinese art is beautiful, count me in!
25raych
wrote on 16 August 2008 at 20:18
So much count me in!!!!
26Vicki wurgler
wrote on 16 August 2008 at 21:05
I know nothing of Chinese culture or art
27Laura
wrote on 16 August 2008 at 21:58
I don’t know a thing about Chinese art or culture… that’s part of what makes this book so interesting to me!
28Rebekah Crain
wrote on 16 August 2008 at 22:42
I actually grew up in Hong Kong/China, so I know a fair amount about the culture there. Hence why I think this sounds like such a great book. Thanks for the entry.
29nancy
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 9:38
Well I don’t know much about chinese culture but am learning a little watching these olympics!
30Maja
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 10:09
I love it. Count me in. I’m also subscriber.
31keith james
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 13:36
thank you
32Linda Pinto
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 13:47
I took a trip to China last year. I suppose I saw the usual tourist sites but just being in the country was so interesting. The stereotypes I had in mind were so wrong. It is such an interesting culture and country. I would love to go back and get more off the beaten path. Since I can’t I would love to read the The Painter from Shanghai and enjoy China again.
33S
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 21:12
I know a little about Chinese culture, but really, it would take a lifetime to learn everything there is to know.
34Hayley G.
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 22:38
I don’t know much about Chinese art but I just saw an art exhibit that made me want to learn more. I’m particularly interested in calligraphy.
oreo89[at] gmail [dot] com
35Leslie Sil
wrote on 17 August 2008 at 23:51
I would like this for my son he is really into the Chinese culture sounds interesting
36Emily B
wrote on 18 August 2008 at 11:34
Despite years of art history education, I have forgotten most of what I learned. I’ve been impressed with some of the contemporary sculpture coming out of China lately though.
37Susan C
wrote on 18 August 2008 at 14:00
Chi Le Mei You – “Have you eaten?” is the most traditional Chinese greeting .
38Rose
wrote on 18 August 2008 at 15:09
Count me in!!!
39Calee
wrote on 19 August 2008 at 11:51
When I was a tutor in NYC, I had a family who wanted their 9th grader to writer her world history paper on “The influence of Confucianism on modern Chinese architecture.” Needless to say, the assignment ended with her locking herself in the bathroom, but I learned a lot (and forgot most of it) about architecture in China.
40Wanda
wrote on 19 August 2008 at 14:23
Chinese culture is unique. Although it’s always fascinated me, I’ve taken a lot more interest since the Olympics.
41Teresa Hoyt
wrote on 20 August 2008 at 13:02
I don’t know anything about Chinese culture or art, but I have always been intrigued by the art I have seen.Thanks!
42Michelle Y
wrote on 20 August 2008 at 23:18
I know a little bit about Chinese culture as one of my best childhood friends was Chinese; however, I know also that there’s so much more to learn! Personally, I love Chinese arts for its simplicity, beauty and grace.
43Tara R
wrote on 21 August 2008 at 0:10
I actually know very little about Chinese culture and art… but I DO know that the cherry blossom tree is beautiful and featured in many things.
44Rose
wrote on 21 August 2008 at 19:27
Count me in!
45Brenda S.
wrote on 21 August 2008 at 19:58
This sounds like a wonderful book. I’d love to read it.
46Heather C
wrote on 22 August 2008 at 1:11
Now see, my room mate in college was Chinese. She was so nice, but boy, those phone calls at 3 a.m. were loud, and I couldn’t understand a thing!
I am not familiar with much having to do with China, although my parents have visited often and have a whole room decorated with various art object.
47Amanda
wrote on 22 August 2008 at 2:59
I don’t know all that much about Chinese art or culture, just little bits and pieces I have gleaned here and there. Like the tradition of feet binding, Mao’s Little Red Book. I recently read The Good Earth by Pearl Buck and am keen to read other Chinese centered novels.
48audrey b
wrote on 22 August 2008 at 10:24
Nada, i know nothing of chinese art, the most I know about are some beautiful cat paintings I have seen at the Metropolitan museum of art and that is the extent of my chinese art background.
49Sharon Jones
wrote on 22 August 2008 at 11:36
I have not been to China but my folks have been and have sparked a huge interest as a result of their wonderful stories and pictures.
THANKS for entry!
50Laurie
wrote on 22 August 2008 at 17:23
I’m ashasmed to say, I know very little about Chinese Art, and most of what I know about Chinese culture I’ve learned from Chinese American friends. I’d love to read this book so that I can learn more.
I’m spreading the word about your contest- I blogged about it here:
http://inlauriesmind.blogspot.com/2008/08/need-free-book.html
51Carla Pullum
wrote on 23 August 2008 at 18:46
Wow this would be perfect for my daughter who is 1/2 chineese it would help her get closer to her culture!
52lace
wrote on 26 August 2008 at 18:58
I know very little about either subject. I find it fascinating to learn about other countries.
53Michele
wrote on 26 August 2008 at 23:38
In July, I read one of my new favorite books that involved Chinese culture. It’s called “Snowflower and the Secret Fan.” I learned SO much about the culture and how little women were respected. I also learned about the “contract” that is set up between women to be friends through life. That storyline was my favorite part, but I also learned so much detail about a tradition that I’m glad to know is no longer alive…..foot binding. WOW!! What those poor women must have suffered through!! If you haven’t read this book, I HIGHLY recommend it!!
Thanks so much!!
Michele R.(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com