Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang

** Book**

In the next meeting of the Cologne book club, we will be discussing Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang.

Love in a Fallen City is a subtle and emotionally rich novella set against the backdrop of 1940s Shanghai and Hong Kong. The story centers on love, marriage, and survival in a society shaped by tradition, war, and social expectations. Rather than grand romantic gestures, Chang focuses on quiet negotiations, unspoken desires, and the fragile balance between independence and security.

Eileen Chang is celebrated for her sharp psychological insight and elegant, restrained prose. Her writing captures the intimate details of everyday life while revealing the larger forces of history and culture at work beneath the surface. In this novella, romance unfolds not as an idealised escape, but as something deeply entwined with social status, gender roles, and personal compromise.

Love in a Fallen City offers a nuanced portrayal of relationships formed in uncertain times. Chang’s ability to blend irony, tenderness, and realism makes this a compelling read that invites discussion about love, pragmatism, and the ways historical moments shape private lives.

More information about Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22533412-love-in-a-fallen-city

❓How is the next book chosen?
At the end of each session, everyone attending gets the chance to recommend a book. Then, we take a vote, and the book with the most votes will be chosen. If you are attending the meet up, you will be able to decide on the next book.

** Venue**
We will meet at Kulturraum 405, a wonderful space that provides a cozy and inspiring environment for our book club gatherings. As a small community initiative, they kindly request a voluntary donation of approximately €3 per person to support their ongoing efforts in maintaining the location and ensuring consistent meet ups for us.
For more information check out https://kulturraum405.de

Organiser
Participation for this event is free of charge.
We will start at 11:30. Please arrive a bit earlier to settle in comfortably.
Your contribution towards the venue is greatly appreciated and will help us maintain a dedicated space for our book club meetings. However, if you are unable to donate, please don't let that discourage you from joining us. Your presence and participation are what truly matter.

Let's make this event inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. If you know that you cannot attend, please update your RSVP status accordingly.
⚠️ Please be aware that if you sign up for an event and either fail to show up or cancel at the last minute without notice more than three times consecutively, priority will be given to individuals on the waiting list instead of you.