Title: Rules for Virgins
Author: Amy Tan
First published December 3, 2011
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.44
Overview
In her latest work, “Rules for Virgins”, Amy Tan takes us on a journey through the cut-throat world of courtesans in 1912 Shanghai. These women use their beauty and seduction skills to compete for the wealthiest men in society, all in the hopes of securing their future as mistresses.
Violet, an aspiring courtesan, seeks the guidance of the experienced and wise Magic Gourd, a former top beauty herself. In order to teach Violet the tricks of the trade, Magic Gourd must dig deep into her own past and share her lessons through stories and anecdotes.
Tan’s attention to detail brings this world to life, revealing the secrets of the seduction game and the timeless truths about the human heart. “Rules for Virgins” is a captivating and seductive read that will leave you spellbound.
About the Author
Amy Tan is a celebrated American author whose writing delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the unique experience of growing up as a first generation Asian American. Her most well-known work, The Joy Luck Club, was adapted into a successful film in 1993.
In addition to The Joy Luck Club, Tan has authored several other books, including The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, and The Bonesetter’s Daughter, as well as a collection of non-fiction essays called The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings. Her most recent book, Saving Fish From Drowning, tells the story of a group of people who go missing while on an art expedition in the jungles of Burma.
Tan has also written two children’s books, The Moon Lady and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, which was made into an animated series for PBS. She has even appeared on PBS herself, encouraging children to pursue their passion for writing.
Currently, Tan serves as the literary editor for West, the Sunday magazine of the Los Angeles Times.
Editoral Review
Amy Tan’s Rules for Virgins is a finely crafted tale set in early 20th-century Shanghai, written by the award-winning author of The Joy Luck Club. The novel is a historical fiction that explores the cultural norms and gender roles that existed at a time when the world was undergoing significant changes.
The book follows 18-year-old Violet, who must navigate the obstacles of her social class and gender in a society where women were expected to be obedient and submissive. Violet is a ‘virgin courtesan,’ a position that affords her a certain degree of independence, allowing her to make her choices about her life.
However, no path is without obstacles, and Violet soon finds herself disillusioned with the harsh realities of her profession. Through Violet’s story, Tan explores themes of gender, class, and love, weaving a captivating narrative that keeps readers engrossed until the very end.
The setting is also a character in the book, and Tan does a remarkable job of bringing early 20th-century Shanghai to life in vivid detail. The writing in Rules for Virgins is exquisite, and Tan’s prose is rich, evocative, and immersive.
She has a gift for detail and brings her characters to life with ease. She captures the nuances of human emotion beautifully, leading readers through a gamut of emotions, from joy to despair.
While the novel is a work of fiction, Tan’s portrayal of the cultural mores of the time is historically accurate, and readers can learn a lot from the book, whether about Chinese culture or historical events. One of the book’s few drawbacks is that the plot can be a bit slow-paced at times, but it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise exceptional novel.
Overall, Rules for Virgins is a beautifully written and compelling book that is sure to captivate fans of historical fiction. It is a story of bravery, love, and sacrifice that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published.
Rating: 4.5/5
