'Conspicuous consumption may be an American invention, but it has been perfected in China'Lately I've been engrossed in Annie Wang's People Republic of Desire. Though I was initially thrown off by the hot pink cover, reminiscent of a sickly teen novel, and I was convinced it would simply be a Chinese rendition of 'Sex and the City'. But by giving this deceptive book a try, I was sold after reading the first few pages.
The Peoples Republic of Desire, rather than being a trashy chick lit, is really a study of women living in new China. It highlights the repercussions of Westernization and materialism of modern China, thus painting a disturbing portrait of China's 'elite'. Told through the eyes of four young women that belong in this bracket of society, Annie Wang's novel is more so a critique of this lifestyle. The book is filled with coffee-house discussions of once taboo subjects in Chinese culture: pornography, sexuality, extra marital affairs. These discussions depict a world where English and a white boyfriend are seen as trendy, where name-dropping and flashy spending has become commonplace and where McDonalds is seen as a quasi status symbol. Ultimately, these girls live in a world where connections and assets weigh more than the individual.
Having lived in Hong Kong for the majority of my life, I could relate alot to the characters and the observations made in this book. As a university student studying in the UK, I have come realize just how privileged my childhood had been. I have grown up around pristine shopping malls, expensive restaurants and brand names. University is a somewhat humbling experience, seeing as I now have to earn my own keep, manage spending and forego designer goods. Now on the outside looking in, I see just how misguided Hong Kong society actually is. I take this as a big step of growing up, when you can finally see things for what they truly are.
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