Rules for Virgins

Rules for Virgins is presented as a monologue as an experienced (so old in her 30s!) courtesan trains a seventeen-year-old in turn-of-the-century Shanghai. Through her instruction, Magic Gourd reveals a world of jealousy, deceit, and competition, but also pride, eloquence, and synergy. Similar to Memoirs of a Geisha, but with more character, Rules for Virgins is an intriguing narrative.

As an excerpt (or teaser, if you will) of her next novel, this was fine. I'm sure I'll read Valley of Amazement.

As a standalone work (which is what I had thought this was as I read it), it fell flat. There was no character development, and it could've fit right into Memoirs of a Geisha, something I found surprising considering this took place in Shanghai rather than Kyoto, Japan. I finished wanting more and being disappointed in the first Amy Tan book in six years.

I shouldn't say "no character development." There's a little. You get to know a bit about the narrator and her life as a former courtesan through hints she drops and the anecdotes she shares. Those were the best parts, and I intend to read Valley of Amazement to get more of show more her story. show less

Having read "Joy Luck Club", "The Kitchen God’s Wife", "The Bonesetter’s Daughter" and "A Hundred Secret Senses", I can honestly say that I am a die-hard Amy Tan fan! So I was so excited when I saw that she had written [Rules for Virgins], a short novella spoken in the voice of an aging courtesan who is providing advice and “on-the-job” training to a virgin courtesan in China on the proverbial “eve” of her deflowering.

Like Ms. Tan’s other stories, the main theme revolves around traditional female roles in Chinese culture, but this time it addresses the role that the courtesan played in this society. Through this first-person advice session, the reader both learns the intricate technicalities of successful courtesanship, show more while also empathizing with the likes of young Violet, who is destined to have her heart broken and suffer a lonely, loveless life.

I am happy that Ms. Tan is working on a new full-length novel, "The Valley of Amazement", to be released in Fall 2012. Welcome Back, Amy! show less

A nice treat from Amy Tan. Love her books and this little story of a Courtesan's advice to a virgin does not disappoint.

After a much anticipated wait for new material from Amy Tan, I was sadly disappointed by the brevity and lack of substance in this book. A seasoned courtesan gives advice to a young virgin on the tricks of the trade. With little story and an abrupt ending, my time could have been much better spent.

Rules for Virgins by Amy Tan is a short story in which a virgin courtesan is being told the ins and outs of the profession. Set in 1912 Shanghai, Magic Gourd is explaining the ways in which courtesans gain favor with the wealthiest of men. Violet, a young woman whose mother owned a similar house of women, is being tutored in the ways of beguiling and pampering not only the men they want to attract, but the other women in the house so that competition does not become deadly.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2013/03/short-story-friday-rules-for-virgins-by-amy-...

Very interesting look at how courtesans were trained in 1912 Shanghai. Looking forward to reading Amy Tan's upcoming book, The Valley of Amazement, from which this excerpt was adapted.