Marrying Buddha

Marrying Buddha follows Coco, a 29-year-old Chinese writer who splits her time between Shanghai and various international cities. The novel serves as a sequel to Wei Hui's previous work, Shanghai Baby. The narrative tracks Coco's relationships and experiences across New York, Spain, Argentina, and China. Her main romantic connection is with Muju, a Japanese-Italian filmmaker, though she also develops feelings for Nick, an American man she encounters during her travels. The story includes Coco's return to her birthplace at Mount Putuo, where she spends time at a Buddhist monastery. Her journey encompasses both physical travel and internal reflection as she navigates between modern urban life and traditional spiritual practices. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, spiritual seeking, and the tension between traditional values and contemporary freedom. Through Coco's experiences, Wei Hui examines the complexities faced by young Chinese women balancing Eastern and Western influences.

Reader reviews indicate this sequel to Shanghai Baby fails to measure up to Wei Hui's previous work. Many found the protagonist Coco's spiritual journey superficial and the Buddhist themes underdeveloped. Readers appreciated: - Vivid descriptions of Shanghai nightlife and culture - Raw, honest exploration of relationships - The attempt to blend Eastern spirituality with modern life Common criticisms: - Repetitive plot points from Shanghai Baby - Self-absorbed and unlikeable main character - Surface-level treatment of Buddhism - Sexual content feels gratuitous rather than meaningful One reviewer noted: "The Buddhist elements feel tacked on rather than integral to the story's development." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.2/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 3.4/5 (12 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.0/5 (8 ratings) Many readers who enjoyed Shanghai Baby expressed disappointment, with several noting they didn't finish the book. Multiple reviews cite poor English translation as detracting from the reading experience.

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🔸 Wei Hui's novel sparked controversy in China upon release, leading to a temporary ban due to its frank portrayal of sexuality and modern Chinese youth culture 🔸 Mount Putuo, featured prominently in the book, is one of Buddhism's Four Sacred Mountains and has been a pilgrimage site for over a millennium 🔸 The author wrote this sequel while living in New York City, drawing from her own experiences as a Chinese writer abroad to create Coco's character 🔸 The novel's original Chinese title "我的禪"(My Zen) differs significantly from its English version "Marrying Buddha," reflecting different cultural marketing approaches 🔸 The protagonist Coco first appeared in Wei Hui's breakthrough novel "Shanghai Baby," which sold over 6 million copies worldwide despite being banned in China