{"title":"Siang Lu","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our curated collection of works by the accomplished author Siang Lu. Known for his engaging storytelling and profound insights, Siang Lu crafts narratives that resonate deeply with readers of all backgrounds. His works offer a unique perspective into contemporary issues, culture, and identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong his notable works is \u003cem\u003eGhost Cities\u003c\/em\u003e, a compelling piece of general fiction that explores intricate human emotions and societal dynamics. Lu's storytelling weaves a rich tapestry of experiences that both challenges and entertains, leaving a lasting impression on all who delve into his world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother remarkable addition to this collection is \u003cem\u003eThe Whitewash\u003c\/em\u003e. This novel not only captivates with its intriguing plot but also invites readers to reflect on themes of authenticity and deception, all while navigating the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSiang Lu's works are not just stories; they are a journey into the human psyche and the world we live in. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his writing, this collection promises to engage and enlighten with every turn of the page. Discover the masterful storytelling of Siang Lu and explore the depths of general fiction like never before.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ghost-cities-by-siang-lu-9780702268496","title":"Ghost Cities","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for fans of Haruki Murakami, \u003cem\u003eGhost Cities\u003c\/em\u003e is a profound and highly imaginative novel that cleverly draws on Chinese history to explore the absurdity of modern life and work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGhost Cities\u003c\/em\u003e—inspired by the vacant, uninhabited megacities of China—follows multiple narratives, including one in which a young man named Xiang is fired from his job as a translator at Sydney's Chinese Consulate after it is discovered he doesn't speak a word of Chinese and has been relying entirely on Google Translate for his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow is his relocation to one such ghost city connected to a parallel odyssey in which an ancient Emperor creates a thousand doubles of himself? Or where a horny mountain gains sentience? Where a chess-playing automaton hides a deadly secret? Or a tale in which every book in the known Empire is destroyed—then re-created, page by page and book by book, all in the name of love and art?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAllegorical and imaginative, \u003cem\u003eGhost Cities\u003c\/em\u003e will appeal to readers of Haruki Murakami and Italo Calvino.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46481981210860,"sku":"9780702268496","price":38.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/328943482438.jpg?v=1748225029"},{"product_id":"the-whitewash-by-siang-lu-9780702265730","title":"The Whitewash","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Whitewash\u003c\/em\u003e, Siang Lu's searing debut, is a black comedy about the whitewashing of the Asian film industry, told in the form of an oral documentary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt sounded like a good idea at the time—a Hollywood spy thriller, starring, for the first time in history, an Asian male lead. With an estimated $350 million production budget and up-and-coming Hong Kong actor JK Jr, who, let's be honest, is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but probably the hottest, \u003cem\u003eBrood Empire\u003c\/em\u003e was basically a sure thing. Until it wasn't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo how did it all fall apart? There were smart guys involved. So smart, so woke. So woke it hurts. There was top-notch talent across the board and the financial backing of a heavyweight Chinese studio. And yet, \u003cem\u003eBrood Empire\u003c\/em\u003e is remembered now not as a historical landmark of Asian representation that smashed the bamboo ceiling in Hollywood, but rather as a fiasco of seismic proportions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Whitewash\u003c\/em\u003e is the definitive oral history of the whole sordid mess. Unofficial. Unasked for. Only intermittently fact-checked, and featuring a fool's gallery of actors, producers, directors, film historians, and scummy click-bait journalists, to answer the question of how it all went so horribly, horribly wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46672468836588,"sku":"9780702265730","price":34.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/301283482438.jpg?v=1752849791"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/siang-lu.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}