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China in Drag: Travels with a Cross-dresser
Approaching the end of his eight-year stay in Beijing, Michael Bristow decided he wanted to write about the country’s modern history. To assist him he asked for the help of his language teacher, who was born just two years after the communist party came to power in 1949. The changing fortunes of his life have mirrored the ups and downs of his country, which has moved from communist poverty to capitalist wealth in just a single generation. It came as a surprise though, to learn that the teacher was also a cross-dresser. Michael gradually realised that the teacher’s story is the story of modern China.
- GenresTravelChinaNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 19, 2023
“I was disappointed and a little cross. Why hadn’t he just told me before we embarked on our scheme? We could have cancelled the book before we’d even begun researching it...I tried talking to him again about the difficulty of not mentioning what he was wearing. I explained that I would probably have to drop the project because it would simply not be honest enough."
I was so excited to learn more about drag in China when I got my hands on this. Sadly that isn’t what this story is about. Despite the authors fixation that he must repeatedly tell the reader what his companion is wearing because “how could he not”, the little somewhat judgemental snippets of fashion criticism provide no depth to the tale.
The roughly twenty pages (if collectively combined) that cover cross-dressing and adjacent topics are poorly researched, at one point even vaguely addressing laws without understanding of the relevant laws and weak analysis of the implications. Despite being published in 2017, the book could have easily have been published in the early 2000’s as it offered nothing new or insightful.
The story is a further mix of opinions Bristow has developed over his time spent in China - ranging from anger that Chinese citizens don’t agree with his thoughts on Taiwan and confusion that these same citizens might have different responses to the same event when it occurs against a foreign politician versus a local one. The writing lacks nuance of political understanding and honestly doesn’t complement the fact that he was once a correspondent of the country.
It’s not all doom and gloom - there were some really interesting tidbits about various influential figures that Bristow had the opportunity to visit (in part through the privilege of being a foreign journalist) and an incredibly vast amount of anecdotes about the Cultural Revolution and core Chinese concepts including Leifeng the perfect soldier and Daoism - although it is unclear how well the author actually understood the religion.
The book reads as someone who has been afforded great opportunities and taken away only what they wanted, with little desire to challenge their own thoughts and status quo. If the book were republished as a historical insight into China and the Cultural Revolution through the eyes of an outsider… I think it could do well. As an insight into drag though? It simply isn’t.
I was so excited to learn more about drag in China when I got my hands on this. Sadly that isn’t what this story is about. Despite the authors fixation that he must repeatedly tell the reader what his companion is wearing because “how could he not”, the little somewhat judgemental snippets of fashion criticism provide no depth to the tale.
The roughly twenty pages (if collectively combined) that cover cross-dressing and adjacent topics are poorly researched, at one point even vaguely addressing laws without understanding of the relevant laws and weak analysis of the implications. Despite being published in 2017, the book could have easily have been published in the early 2000’s as it offered nothing new or insightful.
The story is a further mix of opinions Bristow has developed over his time spent in China - ranging from anger that Chinese citizens don’t agree with his thoughts on Taiwan and confusion that these same citizens might have different responses to the same event when it occurs against a foreign politician versus a local one. The writing lacks nuance of political understanding and honestly doesn’t complement the fact that he was once a correspondent of the country.
It’s not all doom and gloom - there were some really interesting tidbits about various influential figures that Bristow had the opportunity to visit (in part through the privilege of being a foreign journalist) and an incredibly vast amount of anecdotes about the Cultural Revolution and core Chinese concepts including Leifeng the perfect soldier and Daoism - although it is unclear how well the author actually understood the religion.
The book reads as someone who has been afforded great opportunities and taken away only what they wanted, with little desire to challenge their own thoughts and status quo. If the book were republished as a historical insight into China and the Cultural Revolution through the eyes of an outsider… I think it could do well. As an insight into drag though? It simply isn’t.
July 30, 2020
I really enjoyed the book, I liked how the author wove the story of 'the teacher' in with what observations he was making about China, either in Beijing or travelling around. I like books about China that are written from the eye and experience of journalists, as they seem to be able to get that much closer to the pulse than travelers. Bristow's observations about China and Chinese culture, the people and the regime are very real and come from a place of curious observation and professional view point. I also found that he was very honest, in that he wasn't always right, nor did he make the right decisions or observation/assumption about something. Made we want to read more, and I felt I could trust what he was saying. I really enjoyed reading it, especially after spending 15 years in China myself. There is always something new to learn, and this book did not disappoint. A recommended read.
November 25, 2023
SO much more than a book about cross dressing.
The author goes on a series of small trips within China, with his 'teacher' and discovers on their first trip that the teacher likes to dress in women's clothing. He questions whether he should have picked up on small clues in the years that he had known the teacher, but soon gets used to it.
The teacher had lived through the cultural revolution and takes the author to visit significant locations of his life during that time, which give the author the opportunity to talk about the effects of the cultural revolution on the Chinese people.
An absorbing read.
The author goes on a series of small trips within China, with his 'teacher' and discovers on their first trip that the teacher likes to dress in women's clothing. He questions whether he should have picked up on small clues in the years that he had known the teacher, but soon gets used to it.
The teacher had lived through the cultural revolution and takes the author to visit significant locations of his life during that time, which give the author the opportunity to talk about the effects of the cultural revolution on the Chinese people.
An absorbing read.
May 5, 2018
The title is somewhat misleading as the cross dressing aspect wasn't a significant part of the story. It is however a well written and engaging account of China - its modern life, history, culture and societal norms. Those familiar with China would find little new in this book but it's nevertheless an interesting account. Bumped it up from 3.5 as it's not well known enough.
July 24, 2022
A British journalist begins an odyssey around China with his Chinese teacher, who is also a crossdresser. The drag part is barley mentioned in the book, we do get a glimpse of the youth during the cultural revolution, and the life after that. I guess it’s the perfect introductory book for people like me who whose knowledge of China barley extends beyond its wikipedia page.
January 20, 2018
Worth a read to anyone trying to understand modern China. By following one individual's life, Bristow captures the impacts of China's leaders on its citizens with great perception and familiarity. Even those familiar with China will find details that resonate, remind, and surprise.
April 16, 2018
A beautiful and insightful introduction to modern China
A light tour across China, discussing the nation's modern history and people. I loved it from begging to end. A balanced view of a nation and how it is changing, leaving me with more questions that I want to explore further.
A light tour across China, discussing the nation's modern history and people. I loved it from begging to end. A balanced view of a nation and how it is changing, leaving me with more questions that I want to explore further.
September 27, 2018
I'm a fan of Mr Bristow's reporting and sense of humor and this book brings it out fine. Also some delicious insights into how China has functioned and functions. However, the book lacks a certain depth I had hoped for but couldn't find. All said, interesting read though.
August 11, 2023
Well written book I got in a subscription box. The title is misleading as its not really about drag but a fascinating book about Chinese society which I enjoyed reading about
December 11, 2024
Less about drag than it seems and tbh really not about drag at all which is #sad but still good storytelling and interesting although nothing that novel for someone who knows a lot abt China
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews