Cinema Love: 'Not just an extraordinary debut but a future classic' Jessamine Chan

Cinema Love is a novel that explores the lives of Old Second and Bao Mei, who lived in New York City's Chinatown for over thirty years. They shared an unusual past, frequenting the Workers Cinema in rural Fuzhou, where gay men cruised for love. When secrets are unveiled, they set in motion a series of haunting events that propel them towards an uncertain future in America. The novel spans three timelines, post-socialist China, 1980s Chinatown, and contemporary New York, and is a tender epic about men and women who find themselves in forbidden and frustrated relationships as they grapple with the past and their unspoken desires.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2024
Publisher: John Murray Press

A captivating and mesmerizing novel that will captivate fans of PACHINKO, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and SHUGGIE BAIN, "Cinema Love" takes readers on a thrilling journey through the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of post-socialist China, 1980s Chinatown, and contemporary New York, this tender epic explores the forbidden and frustrated connections between men and women as they navigate the treacherous waters of the past and their unspoken desires.

The pages of "Cinema Love" crackle with the tension of a Hollywood thriller, drawing the reader deep into the heart of the story. With its enticing, engaging prose, the novel keeps the reader hooked from the first page to the last. Jessamine Chan, the author of "The School for Good Mothers," has crafted a remarkable debut that is sure to become a future classic.

Old Second and Bao Mei, the main characters, have lived a meager existence in New York City's Chinatown for over thirty years. However, their past is far from ordinary. In rural Fuzhou, before they emigrated, they frequented the Workers' Cinema, a place where gay men cruised for love. While classic war films played on the screen, Old Second and his fellow countrymen found intimacy in the privacy of the screening rooms. Meanwhile, Bao Mei sold tickets to closeted men, guarding their secrets and finding her own happiness with the projectionist.

But when secrets are unveiled, a series of haunting events unfold, propelling Old Second and Bao Mei towards an uncertain future in America. Spanning three timelines, post-socialist China, 1980s Chinatown, and contemporary New York, "Cinema Love" is a tender epic that explores the complexities of love, identity, and cultural displacement.

The characters in the novel are rich and warm, and their journeys are filled with emotional depth and complexity. Jiaming Tang, the protagonist, is a young man who has grown up in a traditional Chinese family but has always felt a sense of alienation. He finds solace in the Workers' Cinema, where he can be himself and connect with others who share his struggles. Bao Mei, on the other hand, is a strong-willed woman who has built a successful business selling tickets to closeted men. She is fiercely independent and has learned to navigate the challenges of living in a patriarchal society society.

The prose in "Cinema Love" is perfect, with each sentence carefully crafted to convey the emotions and motivations of the characters. The author's use of language is evocative and evocative, bringing the reader into the world of the novel and immersing them in the characters' experiences.

"Cinema Love" is a tender and enrapturing feat of storytelling that will leave readers feeling moved and inspired. Vanessa Chan, the author of "The Storm We Made," praised the novel for its "tender and enrapturing feat of storytelling," stating that it is "a remarkable new voice in contemporary fiction." Fiona Mozley, the author of "Elmet," also praised the novel, stating that it is "a tender and enrapturing feat of storytelling that fizzes with energy."

In conclusion, "Cinema Love" is a stunning and compelling novel that will captivate fans of PACHINKO, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and SHUGGIE BAIN. With its tense, engaging prose, rich and warm characters, and tender exploration of love, identity, and cultural displacement, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted story that leaves a lasting impression. Jessamine Chan has crafted a remarkable debut that is sure to become a future classic, and we can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399810241