The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody EpsteinBack of the book blurb: Down the muddy waters of the Yangtze River, through the raucous glamour of prewar Shanghai and the bohemian splendor of 1920s Paris, and back to a China teetering on the brink of revolution: this is the epic story of Pan Yuliang, one of the most talented—and provocative—Chinese artists of the twentieth century.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: The Painter from Shanghai is a vivid and beautifully rendered mix of history and fiction. As the author states in the opening pages, she “attempts to stay true to the broad strokes of Madame Pan’s life as depicted in the few sources available … however, the characters, events, and places depicted her are – like the paintings that inspired them – impressionistic portraits.” You can read even in this brief Author’s Note, Epstein’s ability to turn a metaphor and bring us directly into the painter’s world.
Just as I learned about the inspiration for Picasso’s Guernica mural by reading David Boling’s historical novel of the same name, The Painter from Shanghai augmented my knowledge of pre- and post-revolutionary China, and the place of female artists at the time. Indeed, the novel introduced me to Pan Yuliang, undoubtedly the most proficient female post-impressionist Chinese painter. In an art world dominated by men, her willingness, even eagerness, to paint nudes (with her own body being the model for many of the paintings) shocked and outraged.
Pan Juliang developed her appreciation of color and pattern as she learned to embroider alongside her mother. Later, as an orphan being raised by her opium-addict uncle, she continues to find what beauty she can in the world around her. This ability is nearly extinguished after her uncle sells her to the madam of a brothel, where Pan Yuliang remains for many years.
The details of Pan Yuliang’s personal experience fill the senses – Epstein describes the sights, sounds and smells of the streets of Bejing and Paris, the brothel, and other settings in the novel. My mind was filled with especially vivid pictures when I read passages that were written from the artist’s point of view. The novel is written in present tense, which adds to the feeling of being surrounded by the world Epstein presents.
Pan Yuliang’s desire to create art is finally unleashed after years of suppression. Epstein creates dialogue which has one of Madam Pan’s colleagues expressing the same intense need, that art is as necessary as breathing and eating:
… if I give up my art, I’ll end up eating my dreams. And dead dreams are worse than hunger. They’re poison.
This conversation sums up the reason that Pan Yuliang chose to live the rest of her life the way she did. To say she was persecuted for her choice of artistic inspiration is putting it mildly.
I highly recommend The Painter from Shanghai as a solid-based fictional source to learn about Pan Juliang and Chinese politics, even if painted with a “broad stroke”. This would be an excellent choice for a book group; a 17-question reader’s guide is found in the back of the paperback edition. Kudos to Pan Yuliang for staying true to her calling, and to Jennifer Cody Epstein for shedding a light on this talented ahead-of-her-time painter. Epstein gives personality and passion to an artist that many know little about.
I was of course curious about the paintings that had caused such a commotion in China in the 1930s. Several are found on the author’s website, with links to the Anhui Provincial Museum in Hefei, China.
This is the first novel written by Jennifer Cody Epstein, and was inspired by a 1998 visit to an exhibit on modern Chinese art at the Guggenheim Museum. It was there that the author saw her first painting by Pan Yuliang, accompanied by a short bio placard briefly describing the artist’s rise from prostitute to Parisian-trained artist. Jennifer Cody Epstein has previously published several pieces of short fiction and has written for Self, the Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune.
I read and reviewed The Painter from Shanghaias part of Jennifer Cody Epstein’s blog tour with TLC Book Tours. The full schedule of stops is listed below. Check out her other tour stops; along with reviews, you may find an interview, guest post, or giveaway:
- Tuesday, June 2nd: The Literate Housewife Review
- Wednesday, June 3rd: Book-a-Rama
- Thursday, June 4th: Book Nut
- Monday, June 8th: She is Too Fond of Books
- Tuesday, June 9th: S. Krishna’s Books
- Wednesday, June 10th: Becky’s Book Reviews
- Thursday, June 11th: Redlady’s Reading Room
- Monday, June 15th: Dolce Bellezza
- Tuesday, June 16th: Peeking Between the Pages
- Wednesday, June 17th: A Work in Progress
- Thursday, June 18th: Beth Fish Reads
- Monday, June 22nd: Pop Culture Junkie
- Tuesday, June 23rd: Do They Have Salsa in China?
- Wednesday, June 24th: Bookworm with a View
- Thursday, June 25th: So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
- Friday, June 26th: Savvy Verse and Wit
- Monday, June 29th: Nerd’s Eye View
This looks really good. (As soon as you compared it to Guernica, I was ready to read it!) I’m looking forward to seeing the other perspectives on it on the tour. Thanks!
I enjoyed this book as well, great review!
I have this one on my shelf to read. It certainly sounds interesting. I know so little about artists of that time. The time period and cultural aspects of the novel especially intrigue me. Great review!
I read Jennifer’s review on this one, and it seems I will be seeing alot of it around over the next days! What a wonderful sounding book! In some situations, you finish a book and take with you more than just a story. You take an experience and actual knowledge about something new. This is one of those, I believe!
This sounds wonderful to me since I love books set in Asia and I love art.
I like the sound of this book and love how she became inspired to write the book after seeing the painting. Sounds good enough to check out.
Ali – I love walking away from historical fiction knowing that I’ve exanded by world (and understanding that it’s a work of fiction, not a bio)
Swapna – thank you! I have to drop the author a note … overdue!
Literary Feline – all those threads are neatly worked together.
Sandy – I recommend Guernica and Sarah’s Key for the same reason. Story built around actual events, so it’s an enjoyable learning experience.
Kathy – fine art is definitely an area where I lack knowledge. Enjoy it, but don’t have a good understanding of the different “schools” and movements.
Margot – The author writes that she had been working on a different book when this inspiration struck … 180 degrees apart!
I’m glad to see you liked it Dawn. I haven’t started it but will soon. It certainly sounds like a good one. REally nice review!
sounds great- sounds right up my alley, actually. thanks for the great review.
I just skimmed your review (I hate to be influenced by other people’s thoughts before I’ve had a chance to write up my own). But I’m glad that you recommend it. I’m reading it next week.
Great review – I really enjoyed the quote. It gives a bit of a taste of the writing, I thought.
I almost bought this book in the bookstore a few months ago, but passed it up. It sounds like I missed out on a great one. Great review!
Dar – Epstein does a great job exploring the various relationships along time
marie – yes, my 13 yr old went to the MFA today and I had to check the collection to see if by chance they had one of Pan Hulaing’s paintings. Excellent book!
Beth – I don’t think I gave anything away; except that I thought it was super. Recommended it to my book group last night.
Belle – a taste of the writing and the passion of the artist!
Zibilee – Get back to that bookstore!! I was pleased to see it at the front counter at my local bookstore.
Great review! I love the descriptions you used- “fill the senses”, “personality and passion”, “feeling of being surrounded by”. Wonderful to read!
[...] Monday, June 8th: She is Too Fond of Books [...]
Absolutely fantastic review. I really liked the book and was impressed with Epstein’s writing. I don’t think I did justice to the book in my review.
Rebecca – I’ve been pushing this book with my friends – lent my copy, my mother picked up a copy, and I told a shopper at the bookstore about it!
Beth – I’m sure your review is well-written (popping over to check it out). We’re our own worst critics, aren’t we?!? Yes, I’m looking forward to reading more of Epstein; I loved PAINTER FROM SHANGHAI!
I just finished this book this week and my review will be up this friday, june 26. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Epstein is a true talent and I look forward to seeing more of her work.
Great review! I absolutely loved this book, and I’m glad you enjoyed it, too.
Serena – Oh, I hope the author sees your comment and review – one of the best books you’ve read this year is an awesome compliment!
Anna – Such an engaging book; looking forward to more from Epstein.
[...] Monday, June 8th: She is Too Fond of Books [...]