Remembering Shangai sets the story of the author's family--as told through the author and her mother--against the dramatic backdrop of war and political upheaval in China. As the subtitle promises, Chao's family history is full of larger than life characters, from refined and moneyed literati collecting art to scoundrels who think nothing of squandering the family's fortune or reputation and socialites with in-house dressmakers. Shanghai is a cosmopolitan hub for international influence and culture. As China moves from feudalism to communism, Chao's family plummets from riches to rags and is disbursed from Shanghai to Hong Kong. A story of loss and resilience as well as love and memory, this is a beautifully told mother/daughter story and a beautiful book full of old photos and gorgeous illustrations. Readers unfamiliar with Chinese culture will especially appreciate the thoughtful sidebars that present information about Chinese beliefs and traditions.