(Drivebycuriosity) - If you are interested in China, her culture and her recent history then the Chen Cao novels by Qiu Xiaolong might give you at least a glimpse - and the books entertain as well. The exiled Chinese author, who lives in the US, portraits his home country more critical as a writer living in China could do. The series is set in Shanghai - and other Chinese places - in the 1990s and follows fictional Chief Inspector Chen Cao.
I just finished the novel "A Loyal Character Dancer" (amazon ). Chen has a complicated and delicate task. He needs to cooperate with US Marshal Catherine Rohn, who has been send to China. Both have to find a Chinese woman who is needed in the US for an immigration case (this is a spoiler free blog).
The Chinese-American team has not only to deal with politics, organized crime, corruption and international politics. They also have to intersect their different ideological backgrounds. Qiu Xiaolong blends the plot with impressions of politics, society & economy and spices it with some action, romantics and a little bit erotics. I learned a lot about the peculiar mix between state owned and private businesses, I also enjoyed the description of some localities and regional Chinese cuisines. The book is a marvel and I am looking forward to read more by Qiu Xiaolong.
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