Unlocking the Past: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars, and Scoundrels in Shanghai

Grover: I don’t find the format of one family with rather boring descriptions of historical times that were incredibly interesting. I’ve trad other books similar to this that were more sophisticated. These were discussed with more discussion on the history. I didn’t enjoy it. I think I’ll return it. Looks like I never opened it. I think interesting for primary school levels 5th - 8th.

United States on Nov 06, 2023

joanna: I could not put this book down. It is a beautiful read on every level, from the stories themselves to the delicate paintings, pictures, right through to the inside flap of the cover, it is a delight.

If you are interested in reading about strong women, and the struggles politics and wars bring to everyday life, this book will more than fulfil your expectations.

United States on May 16, 2023

K. Shanghai: This book is beautifully designed, but really writes nothing new about China and a family in the old Shanghai. Their Taiyeye accumulated wealth by embezzlement, his ungraceful sons, concubines, bond feet, and Muma's petite bourgeoise's lifestyle. This kind of stuff is so trite and you can see it in many Chinese movies. I was looking for something new and special about this family. I ended up with disappointment. There are also these Chinese words in the book felt strange. Words such as "Qinpo", "Zhongjian", "Manyue party", "Cimu Yanfu". I am a Chinese reader but reading these words in an English literature felt very strange and boring, 很蹩脚。It'd be better much just write in English. I've been wondering while I was reading it whom this book writes for. I think the authors write it for themselves.

United Kingdom on Aug 30, 2022

Neera Kapahi: A fascinating and mesmerizing true account of a family living in Shanghai that spans several generations.

The story centers around a young girl Isabel, her scholarly father and glamorous and fashionable mother. They live a life of privilege and the glamor of 1930s and 1940s Shanghai comes alive.

Their lives changed with the Japanese occupation and then Mao and the rise of communism.

Years later Isabel Sun Chao and her daughter Claire return to Shanghai and trace their family’s story. In addition to conversations about the family’s history with family and friends, Claire did a lot of research for the memoir.

The book has photographs as well as many charming drawings and illustrations. I was fascinated with the story and found it impossible to put the book down.

United States on Aug 26, 2022

Brian Aird: Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels by Claire Chao, Isabel Sun Chao is a most engaging and enchanting narrative that will almost certainly provide a rewarding and satisfying reading experience.

The journey of a "thousand miles" begins with the return of the third daughter, Isabel Sun Chao, and her daughter, Claire, as they stand together in front of the ancestral home of Isabel in Shanghai, China.

As the literal doors of the home are opened so are the parallel doors of countless memories experienced by the author. Together, through her mastery of exquisite and masterfully chosen words, we are escorted and ushered into a nostalgic corridor of privileged life prior to communistic China, the opulence of certain Chinese cultural enjoyments by a few, and the hard cold reality of life when its fragileness is disrupted.

In addition to the creatively captured and unfolding journey of the talented author are glimpses into the vast richness of life amongst the Chinese wealthy. A life that includes concubines, French perfume, beautiful clothes tailored by live-in tailors to name a few of the enjoyment of opulence.

However, no...

United States on Mar 01, 2021

S Lim: Brought back great memories to our elderly mother. Even the shop that made her wedding gown, and many more reveries were mentioned. She loved it. Would be great to be able to write directly to the mother and daughter authors and thank the dear ladies for giving Mum a wonderful "gift". Can Amazon help, please?

Australia on Dec 20, 2020

Cheryne H.: I am a big fan of non-fiction books set in foreign countries. You find out so much about it’s history and culture. This book delivered both and was both enjoyable and sad. It’s always sad when a family and country are ravaged by war. I will never understand the evil in humanity. The world is a beautiful place, life is too short and we should all be striving to make it a peaceful, amazing place to explore and enjoy.

Canada on Dec 02, 2020

Films4Future: Good book to read and definitely a trip down to the memory lane for anyone interested in communism, China, family and so many other snippets of a full lived life

United Kingdom on Jul 01, 2020

Richard C. Reynolds: Although it’s called a memoir, this book is also a work of art and a fascinating bit of history. The authors are mother and daughter, Isabel being the mother who was born in Shanghai in 1931. Claire was born in 1961 when the family lived in Hong Kong.
Isabel’s father moved to Shanghai in 1913 when she was an infant, the only child of prosperous parents. During Isabel’s younger years, Shanghai was a haven for the displaced: Russians fleeing Bolsheviks, Jews fleeing Nazis, Communists in hiding and refugees seeking shelter. The city even had two different electrical systems with 110 volts on the French side and 220 volts in the International Settlement.
In the late 1920s the Kuomintang were hunting down the revered Communist revolutionary, Zhou Enlai, who was hiding in Shanghai.. The leader of the Kuomintang was Chang Kai-shek. The Communists eventually took over in October 1949 when Chairman Mao Zedong declared the nation as the Peoples Republic of China. Chang Kai-shek and his citizens escaped to Formosa which is now Taiwan.
Japan invaded China in the late 1930s before the start of WWII. One of the things they did was to ban the use of radios by Shanghai residents, a...

United States on Oct 25, 2018

tom comerford: I loved this book-an elegant companion to Gone with the Wind-a similar story at a different time and in a different place but told with the same elegance and sensitivity at a very relevant time

Canada on Jul 01, 2018