InfoAnda - Shanghai constant source of new mysteries for writer

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Tommy Lee Jones logs Lincoln | Entertainment | | 14 October 2009
World Chefs: Phan shares food, journey from Vietnam | | 9 October 2012
N.Korea says South Korean boat seized for intrusion | 1 August 2009

Group: Founder of Tibetan Web site gets 15 years | 18 November 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Shanghai constant source of new mysteries for writer

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Shanghai constant source of new mysteries for writer AFP - Friday, July 30 Send IM Story Print Shanghai constant source of new mysteries for writer SHANGHAI (AFP) - – For author Qiu Xiaolong, each visit back to his hometown Shanghai reveals new mysteries for him to grapple with as he tries to make sense of a changing China in his books. Since his last visit in October, Qiu's beloved Bund -- the city's neoclassical riverfront -- has had a facelift, new Metro lines snake beneath the city and the massive World Expo grounds have risen up. The global aspirations of the "Pearl of the Orient" parallel the success of the 57-year-old US-based writer, whose international following is growing thanks to his unique blend of suspense, poetry and history. "So many things are happening in China. You just come back and you find things to write about," he said in an interview. Qiu has been busy keeping pace. His first short story collection, "Years of Red Dust: Stories of Shanghai", will be released in English in September, and his seventh Inspector Chen novel "Don't Cry Tai Lake" will follow. Although written in English, both have already been published in French, with the newspaper Le Monde serialising the short stories. In Germany, he has already sold the film rights for "Don't Cry Tai Lake" and a Chinese publisher translated three of his books -- although censors demanded Shanghai be identified as "City H" throughout. One of Shanghai's most perceptive chroniclers, Qiu sees China through the eyes of someone who grew up during the tumultuous Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. His first writing may have been a self-criticism he said he ghost-wrote for his father, who was branded "black" for being a businessman and too weak at the time to put pen to paper. His persecutors were allegedly poor "red" workers. One of Qiu's recurring themes is how China's economic reforms have flipped the hierarchy of red and black. He plays with this idea in real life too, proudly wearing a black t-shirt from Barcelona bookstore "Negra y Criminal" (Black and Criminal). Another red tee-shirt in his suitcase simply says "communist" -- but his wife forbade him from wearing that one to the Expo, he said, laughing. At the World's Fair, between visits to the US, Shanghai and North Korean pavilions, he chatted with older Shanghainese, who said they had returned four or five times despite long lines and relatively expensive 24-dollar tickets. "They told me they have never been abroad and they may never go abroad. So that makes a huge difference for them," he said. "A reader suggested to me that Inspector Chen should chase a criminal through the World Expo because it's like a maze," he said. Inspector Chen is a poet assigned to police work upon graduation, whose deductions are often driven by verses drifting through his head. The mix of poetry and crime was inspired by Chinese classics such as "Journey to the West" or "Dream of the Red Chamber", where poems act like a soundtrack, announcing new characters or signaling rising emotions, he said. A poet himself, Qiu also figured if he smuggled poetry into stories about murder, corruption and political intrigue, his verse would find more readers. His love for detective stories dates back to other smuggling days as a 14-year-old during the Cultural Revolution, when he read a banned, yellowing translation of Sherlock Holmes stories, which he hid under a red cover. "People would see a red cover and think it's Chairman Mao's book. But it was not that -- it was Sherlock Holmes!" he recalled, grinning. In his latest novel, Qiu focuses on environmental abuses as Chen investigates a murder at Tai Lake, a scenic spot that has been plagued by pollution-linked algae. "For the inspector, it's not just the chemical part but also in what kind of materialistic -- what kind of profit-means-everything -- age would people do this kind of thing?" In "Years of Red Dust", Qiu tells a series of interconnected tales, whose meanings change with each story that follows. In one, the residents of a lane eulogise a neighbour as a revolutionary martyr after hearing she died in the Korean war, but in a later story, when they learn she survived, they shun her. "In Shanghai this kind of thing happens in real life quite a lot," he said. Qiu said he imagines what his father would say if he were alive to see the Expo, where Chinese visitors rush past the French pavilion's priceless paintings to jostle for a glimpse of a Louis Vuitton handbag. "When I used to read Sherlock Holmes, I took for granted it would be like an impossible dream for me to one day read this story in the open," he said. "Something like the World Expo would have been beyond the wildest imagination -- unreal." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US to press China, UAE, others on Iran sanctions AFP - 1 hour 6 minutes ago Floods kill 29 in China's northeast AFP - Friday, July 30 Britain, India unite to pressure Pakistan over terror AFP - Friday, July 30 Monsoon hampers Pakistan black box search AFP - Friday, July 30 Australia's Corby appeals for clemency from Indonesia AFP - Friday, July 30 News Search Top Stories At least 140 dead in DR Congo river disaster Protestors denounce Arizona immigration law Arabs agree to Israel-Palestinian talks Shell defends deep-water oil production, as profits soar Europe gets new boost as economic confidence surges More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery Earth's climate future may be etched in Greenland bedrock 100 days in, Gulf spill leaves ugly questions unanswered Daniel Craig to star in Millennium Trilogy New British lender Metro Bank opens first branch More Most Viewed » Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers World's first full face transplant man appears on TV Paris Hilton caught with cannabis in handbag Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery Quark by quark, atom smasher closing in on 'God particle' More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 30 July 2010
16 dead, 14 wounded in Baghdad attacks
French minister denies wrongdoing in police L'Oreal grilling
Karzai urges action against militants in Pakistan
YouTube ups video limit to 15 minutes
Spanish bullfighting sector vows to fight Catalan ban
Arabs agree to Israel-Palestinian talks
US-TECH Summary
Shell defends deep-water oil production, as profits soar
2nd US Navy sailor's body recovered in Afghanistan
Russia clamps down on Internet, Google frowns
Europe gets new boost as economic confidence surges
Gunmen and bombs kill at least 12 in Iraq |
French mother confesses to eight infant murders
Motorola 2nd-qtr results beat Street, shares rise
South Americans try to end Venezuela-Colombia rift |
Russia 'foils hijacking of plane from Caucasus'
WikiLeaks threatens US security agencies drive
US wants increased police access to email: report
Syria and Saudi say will work to stabilize Lebanon |
'Welfare robots' to ease burden in greying Japan
Warm words, trade challenges ahead as UK woos India |
Russian court bans YouTube over extremist videos
U.S. and major powers urged to join cluster munitions pact |
Online betting firm bwin announces merger with Partygaming
Al Qaeda vows more attacks on Yemen government: tape |
China jails three Uighur webmasters: report
Motorola 2nd-qtr results beat Street, shares rise
US to press China, UAE, others on Iran sanctions
Floods kill 29 in China's northeast
U.S. wildlife officials trap suspected killer grizzly
Weakened Arizona immigrant rules still draw protests
Monsoon hampers Pakistan black box search
Second U.S. sailor's remains found in Afghanistan
Australia's Corby appeals for clemency from Indonesia
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Japan supertanker probe reveals smashed hull
Obama seeks his "mojo" on daytime TV's "The View"
Shanghai constant source of new mysteries for writer
Gal pal of generous Viacom boss says she got nothing
Four held over China pipeline blast, toll hits 13
Russia clamps down on Internet, Google frowns |
Sony leads Japan electronics makers back to black
London gears up for two-wheeled revolution
Thailand to end emergency rule in six provinces: PM
U.S. sues Oracle, alleges software contract fraud |
French nuns in music deal get death threat-report
Fewer Spaniards say they are Catholic: study
Kites fill skies over Gaza as children reach for record
A Minute With: Director Phillip Noyce on "Salt"
Broadway sings blues over synthesizer invasion
Devil may wear Prada, but Virgin Mary dons Louis Vuitton
China's sovereign fund posts 11.7 percent return in 2009
China allows release of critical IMF report
Taiwan Semiconductor reports record net profit
Taiwan's HTC posts 50.5 percent rise in Q2 profit
Softbank net profit dented by tax demand
Nintendo suffers first quarter loss on yen strength
Bangladesh raises garment workers' pay 80 percent
Obama seeks his mojo on daytime TV's The View |
Why Mel Gibson's lawyers haven't dropped him |
Gal pal of generous Viacom boss says she got nothing |
A Minute With: Director Phillip Noyce on Salt |
French nuns in music deal get death threat-report |
Russian president's top rights advisor quits
Lebanon hosts rare Arab leader summit
Mexican army kills kingpin in drug war coup |
Most Pakistanis see US as an enemy: poll
WikiLeaks may have blood on its hands, U.S. says |
Leaked Afghan war files a 'dangerous' risk: Gates
IMF backs more stimulus to help slow US recovery
3 US troops die in deadliest month of Afghan war
Google says China search block may be tech glitch
Body of 2nd Navy sailor recovered in Afghanistan
Neighbors fail to end Venezuela-Colombia rift |
US growth expected to slow amid looming stagnation
Arabs agree to Israel-Palestinian talks
US accuses Oracle of software contract fraud
US Fed official warns of 'Japanese-style' stagnation
At least 140 dead in DR Congo river disaster
TeleNav shares sink on revenue worries on Sprint deal
North Korean diplomats seize books on Kim in Myanmar |
Microsoft talks up tablets, shows off new phones
Hearts and mind hard to reach in Afghan valley |
Analysts' View: Google says search service blocked in China
Cuban hunger striker Farinas leaves hospital |
US flank exposed on cyber war front: Hayden
Marbury stays with Chinese basketball team
Bomb explodes in Bangkok, seriously wounding man |
McAfee profit tops Wall Street target
Pacquiao sister 'wanted' for illegal gambling racket:
Tablet computers 'job one urgency' at Microsoft: Ballmer
Bolivian priest who blessed Morales found with cocaine |
One hurt in Bangkok grenade blast: police
Microsoft shows off new Windows smartphones
Taiwan faces complex language legacy
Motorola rings up sharply higher net profit
Four killed in U.S. Air Force plane crash in Alaska
Bomb explodes in Bangkok, seriously wounding man
WikiLeaks may have blood on its hands, U.S. says
N.Korea holds more talks with US military
Less oil on surface means less work for fishermen
House rejects bill to aid sick 9/11 responders
Google says China services back up
Ousted USDA employee Sherrod plans to sue blogger
Bangladesh garment workers reject new wage rates
Ariz. files appeal as sheriff launches new sweep
UK author vows to fight Singapore contempt charge
Mark Wahlberg: God most important part of my life
Marc Cohn's new album sets chart record for singer
"Inception" set to fend off three box office rookies
Growing smartphone battle seen hitting vendors' profits |
Ellen DeGeneres quits "American Idol" as judge
Google says China search block may be tech glitch |
"Friends" star Matt LeBlanc happy to send himself up
Microsoft talks up tablets, shows off new phones |
Eminem leads singles chart for second week
TeleNav shares sink on revenue worries on Sprint deal |
Seoul shares slip weighed by Samsung Elec, banks
McAfee profit tops Wall Street target |
Samsung Electronics books record Q2 profit on chips boom
US lawmakers urge probe of China Ansteel's deal
S.Korea spotted bying dlrs to check won -dealers
S.Korea to raise domestic electricity, gas fees
Taiwan says to issue rules on private placements
'Nightmare' start for iPhone 4's latest launch
PAKISTAN
Japan's unemployment rises, output falls
S.Korea industrial output grows for 12th straight month
Ellen DeGeneres quits American Idol as judge |
Disney sells Miramax for over $660 million to Filmyard |
Inception set to fend off three box office rookies |
Mark Wahlberg: God most important part of my life |
Eminem leads singles chart for second week |
Friends star Matt LeBlanc happy to send himself up |
Marc Cohn's new album sets chart record for singer |
Iran ready for immediate nuclear fuel talks
Death toll in Russian forest fires reaches 25
Italy speaker refuses to resign, deepens crisis |
Forest fires kill 29 in Russia heatwave
Bitter smartphone war seen pinching vendor margins
Syrian and Saudi leaders tackle tension in Lebanon |
Syrian, Saudi leaders in Lebanon to defuse tension
BA losses hit £122m on strike action, ash cloud
Afghan police fire shots to quell protest after accident |
UN rights body tells Israel to end Gaza blockade
Calcium supplements linked to heart attacks: study
Berlusconi in crisis after revolt by key ally
Samsung Elec to introduce Android-based tablet in Q3
Mexican army kills kingpin in drug war coup |
Syrian and Saudi leaders to tackle tension in Lebanon
French police detain Bettencourt finance advisor
Gaza rocket ends quiet year for Ashkelon
French mum 'relieved' after admitting killing babies
WikiLeaks may have blood on its hands, U.S. says |
Bombs 'kill three foreign troops' in Afghanistan
U.N. rights body tells Israel to end Gaza blockade |
Gaza rocket hits southern Israel: army
Samsung Elec to introduce Android-based tablet in Q3
China says it opposes EU sanctions against Iran
Wildfires sweeping Russia kill at least 25 |
Exiled Yemen opposition leader killed on return |
Police open fire at Kashmir protesters, two killed |
France's Sarkozy cracks down on crime and immigrants |
China races to recover chemical barrels from river
Mexico kills drug kingpin in raid
S.Lanka, India slam 'unsporting' pitch after draw
Dead whale found pinned to Alaska cruise ship
China naval drill in South China Sea: state media
Wildfire explodes in rural LA County hills
China to crack down on pro-Cantonese protesters
Disney to sell Miramax Films for $660m
Former Australian PM Rudd hospitalised
Economic growth likely slowed in second quarter
'Nightmare' start for iPhone 4's latest launch
London launches cycle hire scheme
Bitter smartphone war seen pinching vendor margins |
Facebook may postpone IPO to 2012: report |
Google says China search block may be tech glitch |
Samsung Elec to introduce Android-based tablet in Q3 |
Honda books record $3.15bn quarterly net profit
Microsoft talks up tablets, shows off new phones |
TeleNav shares sink on revenue worries on Sprint deal |
Japanese financial groups post strong Q1 results
Russia clamps down on Internet, Google frowns |
Japan airline ANA's quarterly loss narrows to $60m
U.S. sues Oracle, alleges software contract fraud |
Bangladesh garment workers riot over wage row
Amazon offers $139 wireless Kindle for mass appeal |
McAfee profit tops Wall Street target |
Hugh Hefner: Rebel with a cause |
Ellen exit heralds major American Idol makeover |
Disney to sell Miramax for over $660 million |
Inception set to fend off three box office rookies |
Mark Wahlberg: God most important part of my life |
Obama seeks his mojo on daytime TV's The View |
Eminem leads singles chart for second week |
Friends star Matt LeBlanc happy to send himself up |
Marc Cohn's new album sets chart record for singer |
Gal pal of generous Viacom boss says she got nothing |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01