Zachary Mexico

Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll

I think most of us have a certain picture of China based on what we've read or seen through touristic voyages. Zachary Mexico takes us through a journey to the margins of modern Chinese society by relating the accounts of a group of eclectic individuals. So, instead of the over-reported macro-level socio-economic stories, Mexico explores the subaltern, about the people on the streets and how modernity was changing their lives.

My favorite chapter of the book is definitely "The Uighur Jimi Hendrix," about a Uighur who is rockin' it out in Shanghai. Throughout the stories, Mexico injects a few historical and political tidbits that provide context to the stories. Another interesting story was one about the mass murderer Ma JiaJue who is emblematic of the social disillusionment that many of China's youth experience today as a result of the pressures of competition in the modern capitalistic society. Another fascinating story is the one about "Jimmy Boy," a Nigerian expat who is just one of thousands (perhaps millions) of Nigerians living and working in many of China's mega-cities.

Overall, this is a highly readable, highly enjoyable book about a side of China that you will likely never read about anywhere else or even see unless you are Chinese. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the real China.… (meer)