What do you think?
Rate this book
Sex & Taipei City
Sex in Taipei City
is not what one expects: it is repressed, traded for cash, vengeful, sometimes awkward and almost always secretive. A young Taiwanese man goes on his first real date with a British man he meets online, a uniformed schoolgirl sells her body for cash in an odd form of revenge, a grandfather becomes obsessed with Japanese porn, and a pregnant mistress offers her lover's wife five million NT in exchange for her to divorce her husband.
- GenresShort Stories
212 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2019
5 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Yu-Han Chao
10 books11 followersYu-Han Chao was born and grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. She received her MFA from Penn State, taught at UC Merced, and is a newly minted Registered Nurse. The Backwaters Press (an imprint of University of Nebraska Press) published her poetry book, We Grow Old, in 2008. Dancing Girl Press, Imaginary Friend Press, Another New Calligraphy, and BOAAT Press published her chapbooks. Red Hen Press published her short story collection, Sex & Taipei City, in April 2019. She blogs about writing and nursing at www.yuhanchao.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 24, 2023
I'm afraid I enjoyed the sex I've had in Taipei City a lot more than this book.
August 18, 2020
It's my first time reading a book from Taiwan Author. This collection of short story tell a story about Sex and how Taipei as big city in taiwan point of view about that topic. I learn some culture that not really different from indonesian and most whole asian country, about the tradition and how 'sex' still a taboo to talk in some culture.
June 11, 2019
This book is about women, minorities, and how we navigate love, sex, and power, across genders, cultures, and generations.
I hope you find entertainment, strength, and hope amidst the absurdities and social injustices portrayed in these stories.
Most of all, I hope you share your stories as well, because we need to hear and read more voices, from everyone--every walk of life, every part of the world.
Best wishes and happy reading,
Yu-Han Chao
www.yuhanchao.com
I hope you find entertainment, strength, and hope amidst the absurdities and social injustices portrayed in these stories.
Most of all, I hope you share your stories as well, because we need to hear and read more voices, from everyone--every walk of life, every part of the world.
Best wishes and happy reading,
Yu-Han Chao
www.yuhanchao.com
January 16, 2024
Es un excelente libro de cuentos. Por el título, creí que serían relatos eróticos pero no lo son. En cada historia el sexo es el hilo conductor de vivencias que van de lo divertido a lo dramático, pasando por una historia de terror. Hay matrimonios arreglados, infidelidad, citas gay, problemas de pareja y juguetes sexuales. Lo disfruté mucho.
June 5, 2019
‘Like many Taiwanese, Chen could never resist something free’
Yu-Han Chao was one of the most exciting discoveries in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award program with her edgy, hilarious, and brilliantly written entry A BOWL OF THE REAL THING. Then she stepped solidly onto the platform of published authors with a superb book of prose/poems WE GROW OLD: Fifty-Three Chinese Love Poems. Taiwan-born Chao takes the best from both cultures as she admixes Chinese manners and views with Western embellishments and the result is a well-designed, handsome book of seemingly straight forward 'love poems' that hold more meaning than first readings might suggest. Now much the same can be said of her newest book of short stories, SEX & TAIPEI CITY. She received her MFA from Penn State, taught at UC Merced, and is a newly minted Registered Nurse.
The substance of this collection is summarized by Yu-Han as follows: ‘Sex & Taipei City depicts how women (and some men) navigate love, sex, and power in a big city. Sex in Taipei City is not what one expects: it is repressed, traded for cash, vengeful, occasionally fun, sometimes awkward and almost always a secret.’
The collection opens with an hilarious tale – The Strange Objects Museum – that marries sexual overtones with salesmanship and parody and it works very well Indeed. The language is appropriately naughty and that fact suggests the approach Yu-Han uses to make each of these tales immediately contemporary while embracing a spectrum of love and sex. And she includes the darker aspects of sexual needs.as well.
One excellent description of the contents is shared here: ‘Some are young and innocent, a schoolgirl spies on the groom and ruins her cousin’s wedding, a pregnant teen loses her baby, an American leaves a Taiwanese girl with a broken heart and HPV, a woman finds out her first love was married, and a young Taiwanese goes on his first real date with a British man he meets online. Some are far from innocent: a schoolgirl sells her body as an odd form of revenge, a sociologist becomes a call girl to write her master’s thesis, a pregnant mistress offers her lover's wife five million NT for her to divorce him, a man has a baby with a Russian showgirl who abandons them both, teenage girls turn against their mother for bedding a boy their age, and a grandfather alienates his family by watching Japanese porn at too loud a volume. For others, sexuality is a battle: a Taiwanese-Canadian finds herself judged everywhere in Taipei for not wearing a bra, a young woman commits red suicide to become a vengeful ghost, a spoiled cat ruins a marriage, a wife leaves her husband over a sexist joke, a foreign nanny steals an American baby, a mail order bride runs away, and a “spinster” beats up a pervert in the MRT station.’ Spicy and yet at the same time sensitive to real emotions, this is another major step forward by the gifted Yu-Han Chao.
Yu-Han Chao was one of the most exciting discoveries in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award program with her edgy, hilarious, and brilliantly written entry A BOWL OF THE REAL THING. Then she stepped solidly onto the platform of published authors with a superb book of prose/poems WE GROW OLD: Fifty-Three Chinese Love Poems. Taiwan-born Chao takes the best from both cultures as she admixes Chinese manners and views with Western embellishments and the result is a well-designed, handsome book of seemingly straight forward 'love poems' that hold more meaning than first readings might suggest. Now much the same can be said of her newest book of short stories, SEX & TAIPEI CITY. She received her MFA from Penn State, taught at UC Merced, and is a newly minted Registered Nurse.
The substance of this collection is summarized by Yu-Han as follows: ‘Sex & Taipei City depicts how women (and some men) navigate love, sex, and power in a big city. Sex in Taipei City is not what one expects: it is repressed, traded for cash, vengeful, occasionally fun, sometimes awkward and almost always a secret.’
The collection opens with an hilarious tale – The Strange Objects Museum – that marries sexual overtones with salesmanship and parody and it works very well Indeed. The language is appropriately naughty and that fact suggests the approach Yu-Han uses to make each of these tales immediately contemporary while embracing a spectrum of love and sex. And she includes the darker aspects of sexual needs.as well.
One excellent description of the contents is shared here: ‘Some are young and innocent, a schoolgirl spies on the groom and ruins her cousin’s wedding, a pregnant teen loses her baby, an American leaves a Taiwanese girl with a broken heart and HPV, a woman finds out her first love was married, and a young Taiwanese goes on his first real date with a British man he meets online. Some are far from innocent: a schoolgirl sells her body as an odd form of revenge, a sociologist becomes a call girl to write her master’s thesis, a pregnant mistress offers her lover's wife five million NT for her to divorce him, a man has a baby with a Russian showgirl who abandons them both, teenage girls turn against their mother for bedding a boy their age, and a grandfather alienates his family by watching Japanese porn at too loud a volume. For others, sexuality is a battle: a Taiwanese-Canadian finds herself judged everywhere in Taipei for not wearing a bra, a young woman commits red suicide to become a vengeful ghost, a spoiled cat ruins a marriage, a wife leaves her husband over a sexist joke, a foreign nanny steals an American baby, a mail order bride runs away, and a “spinster” beats up a pervert in the MRT station.’ Spicy and yet at the same time sensitive to real emotions, this is another major step forward by the gifted Yu-Han Chao.
March 25, 2019
This collection of stories is like a trip to the night market: an exciting array of quick, delicious bites. Most of these nineteen tales are no more than a few pages long, yet Chao conveys a remarkable depth of emotion and surprise in each one. They range from a darkly humorous tale about a girl’s coming of age (no pun intended) to revenge gone wrong (or right), the dangers of going braless, mail-order brides, and husbands for sale. But there are more devastating stories, too—tales of love and longing, abuse and assault, and the tragic choices parents make to keep or abandon a child. Chao’s attentive voice and select details convey culture in quick, precise movements, giving readers a strong sense of Taiwanese culture (and flavor—her descriptions of food are fantastic!), but these stories ultimately transcend place to weave a larger narrative about the choices and challenges so many women face. An excellent pick for a book club--highly recommended!
December 25, 2024
Sex & Taipei City by Yu-Han Chao is a collection of short stories that dives into the complexities of love, sex, and power dynamics in modern Taipei. Forget the typical romantic comedies; this book explores the darker underbelly of relationships, navigating cultural constraints and societal expectations.
It is a sensory journey through Taipei. Chao paints a vivid picture of Taipei City, weaving cultural nuances and delicious food descriptions into the narratives. Each story, though concise, packs a punch, delivering a surprising depth of emotion. From a hilarious coming-of-age tale to a revenge plot gone awry, the collection offers a variety of themes, echoing the diverse experiences ranging from the innocent to the far from innocent, creating a compelling tapestry of human experience.
The stories predominantly focus on women, but men also have their fair share of vulnerabilities exposed. We encounter a spectrum of female experiences: heartbreak, abuse, forbidden desires, and the challenges of navigating love and sexuality in a patriarchal society. The book delves into specific scenarios, such as a schoolgirl selling her body as an odd form of revenge, a pregnant mistress offering her lover's wife NTD 5 Mio for her to divorce him, or a woman committing red suicide to become a vengeful ghost, highlighting the extreme situations some characters face.
The book excels in its sharp wit, candid conversations, and insightful portrayal of cultural dynamics. The opening story, "The Strange Objects Museum," is a hilarious tale. Stories like "Betel Nut Beauty" and "Writing on the Basement Wall" linger long after reading. However, some tales end abruptly, like "Crisp Skin Thick Soup," leaving us wanting more closure for the characters. The short format, while offering an exciting array of quick, delicious bites, sometimes feels too brief.
Overall, Sex & Taipei City is a captivating collection, perfect for anyone seeking a unique glimpse into the human condition through a Taiwanese lens. Chao's stories are sure to leave a lasting impression. The collection is like a trip to a Taiwanese night market: an exciting array of quick, delicious bites.
It is a sensory journey through Taipei. Chao paints a vivid picture of Taipei City, weaving cultural nuances and delicious food descriptions into the narratives. Each story, though concise, packs a punch, delivering a surprising depth of emotion. From a hilarious coming-of-age tale to a revenge plot gone awry, the collection offers a variety of themes, echoing the diverse experiences ranging from the innocent to the far from innocent, creating a compelling tapestry of human experience.
The stories predominantly focus on women, but men also have their fair share of vulnerabilities exposed. We encounter a spectrum of female experiences: heartbreak, abuse, forbidden desires, and the challenges of navigating love and sexuality in a patriarchal society. The book delves into specific scenarios, such as a schoolgirl selling her body as an odd form of revenge, a pregnant mistress offering her lover's wife NTD 5 Mio for her to divorce him, or a woman committing red suicide to become a vengeful ghost, highlighting the extreme situations some characters face.
The book excels in its sharp wit, candid conversations, and insightful portrayal of cultural dynamics. The opening story, "The Strange Objects Museum," is a hilarious tale. Stories like "Betel Nut Beauty" and "Writing on the Basement Wall" linger long after reading. However, some tales end abruptly, like "Crisp Skin Thick Soup," leaving us wanting more closure for the characters. The short format, while offering an exciting array of quick, delicious bites, sometimes feels too brief.
Overall, Sex & Taipei City is a captivating collection, perfect for anyone seeking a unique glimpse into the human condition through a Taiwanese lens. Chao's stories are sure to leave a lasting impression. The collection is like a trip to a Taiwanese night market: an exciting array of quick, delicious bites.
August 21, 2019
In “Strange Objects Museum,” customers can’t help but be drawn to an oddly-shaped saddle. It couldn’t hurt to take it for a ride, could it?
A surly flower girl learns more than she bargained for and that “marriage is no child’s play.”
A 15-year old recalls her “first time” at a musical auditorium hall. But did it come at a price?
And can “immersion” cause a sociological researcher to do something wrong, enticing, and…addicting?
“The man is always the filthy one, the corrupter, the one who breaks promises, ruins relationships, messes up his own life and the lives of those around him. I believe I carry out a form of justice.” (33)
“At this point women are a tiring presence in my life: three of them, all under my roof. The scariest one of them all? My mother-in-law.” (135)
This is not your typical love tales and rom-coms. Witty and remorsefully candid, stories reflect on the dark underbelly of love, sex, and relationships within the strict boundaries of Taiwanese culture. Each story brings lucid insight to the matter. I enjoyed the variety—stories with drama, secrets, fantasies, revenge, and blissful irony—as well as the cultural flavor. Chao is a natural story teller, infusing settings and characters with knowledge and reverence in this well-written collection.
A surly flower girl learns more than she bargained for and that “marriage is no child’s play.”
A 15-year old recalls her “first time” at a musical auditorium hall. But did it come at a price?
And can “immersion” cause a sociological researcher to do something wrong, enticing, and…addicting?
“The man is always the filthy one, the corrupter, the one who breaks promises, ruins relationships, messes up his own life and the lives of those around him. I believe I carry out a form of justice.” (33)
“At this point women are a tiring presence in my life: three of them, all under my roof. The scariest one of them all? My mother-in-law.” (135)
This is not your typical love tales and rom-coms. Witty and remorsefully candid, stories reflect on the dark underbelly of love, sex, and relationships within the strict boundaries of Taiwanese culture. Each story brings lucid insight to the matter. I enjoyed the variety—stories with drama, secrets, fantasies, revenge, and blissful irony—as well as the cultural flavor. Chao is a natural story teller, infusing settings and characters with knowledge and reverence in this well-written collection.
August 18, 2020
A beautiful collection of short stories that feels funny, tragic, and surreal (often all at once.) Each of the characters is distinct yet they also seem somehow linked together, like they all might have coincidently shared a subway car at one point. Definitely recommend!
October 3, 2019
Loved these clever vignettes
Each story is poignant and interesting. I was immediately sucked in and finished the book in a flash. I can't wait to read more of her work!
Each story is poignant and interesting. I was immediately sucked in and finished the book in a flash. I can't wait to read more of her work!
February 27, 2022
an interesting collection of stories and a portrait of the evolving love/sex lives of modern Taiwanese.
April 1, 2024
3.5 stars
February 20, 2023
You’ll find a lot of nice, small details about life in Taipei and come across a wide variety of characters. The stories are quite brief, so the characters can be hard to imagine. But the last stories in the book are much stronger, particularly “Mine” and “Seven Pieces at a Time”.
December 27, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up - the stories are gripping, quick paced. I finished the book quickly because of the intriguing plots and chapters. Chao is a poet and her stories show: each tale is packed with layers, commentary and symbolism without overexplaining anything to the reader. However, often the structure can feel a bit repetitive, many of the pieces have a dramatic tension build up with a sharp turn to end, without any resolution. Despite the colorful cover many of these stories also veer hopeless or dark. Sometimes i wish for a deeper dive.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews