Daughter of Calamity” by Rosalie M. Lin, Jingwen spends her nights as a showgirl at the Paramount, one of the most lavish clubs in Shanghai. She competes ruthlessly to charm wealthy patrons while also running money for her grandmother, an exclusive surgeon to the most powerful gang in the city. However, when a series of cabaret dancers are targeted, their faces stolen, Jingwen fears she could be next. As the faces of the dancers start appearing on wealthy foreign socialites, she realizes that Shanghai’s glittering mirage of carefree luxury comes at a terrible price.
Main Characters
Certainly! In “Daughter of Calamity,” the main characters include:
- Jingwen: A talented cabaret dancer at the Paramount club in 1930s Shanghai. She straddles two worlds—the glamorous dance scene and the seething underworld run by gangsters and villains. Jingwen fears she could be the next target when a series of cabaret dancers are attacked.
- Other notable characters: The novel features a rich cast of diverse characters, including fellow dancers, gangsters, and mythological beings. Their interactions shape the intriguing plot and add depth to the story.
Setting
“Daughter of Calamity” by Rosalie M. Lin is an irresistibly dark, atmospheric reimagining of 1930s Shanghai. The novel is filled with glamour, gods, and gangsters. Here’s what you’ll find in its captivating setting:
- Shanghai: The glittering world of 1930s Shanghai comes alive, with dimly lit alleys and opulent stages. The city is a cultural melting pot influenced by colonialism and the Jazz Age, making it a vibrant and complex backdrop for the story.
- The Paramount Club: Jingwen spends her nights as a showgirl at the Paramount, one of the most lavish clubs in Shanghai. The club is a hub of intrigue, competition, and danger, where wealthy patrons and silver-armed gangsters collide.
- The Underworld: Beneath the glamorous façade lies a seething underworld run by gangsters and villains. Tangled alliances, ancient grudges, and hidden power dynamics shape this treacherous realm.
- Gods and Mythology: The power of gods is wielded and traded like currency. Mythological elements add depth and mystery to the setting, creating a unique blend of fantasy and historical fiction.
Theme
Certainly! “Daughter of Calamity” by Rosalie M. Lin weaves an enticing mix of Chinese mythology, history, and superb world-building. Here are some key themes:
- Power Struggles: The novel delves into power dynamics within 1930s Shanghai. Characters vie for control, and alliances shift in the seething underworld run by gangsters and villains.
- Gang Politics: The city’s criminal underworld plays a central role. Gangs, rivalries, and hidden agendas shape the narrative, adding intrigue and danger.
- Mythical Elements: Gods, goddesses, and demons inhabit the story. Their influence blurs the line between reality and fantasy, creating a rich and mysterious atmosphere.
- Cultural Displacement: Shanghai’s culture is fading under the influence of Western forces. The clash between tradition and modernity permeates the narrative.
- Friendship and Rivalry: Jingwen’s relationships with fellow dancers—both rivals and friends—highlight loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexities of female bonds.
