The Phantom Heroine: Ghosts and Gender in Seventheenth-century Chinese Literature
The "phantom heroine"--in particular the fantasy of her resurrection through sex with a living man--is one of the most striking features of traditional Chinese literature. Even today the hypersexual female ghost continues to be a source of fascination in East Asian media, much like the sexually predatory vampire in American and European movies, TV, and novels. But while vampires can be of either gender, erotic Chinese ghosts are almost exclusively female. The significance of this gender asymmetry in Chinese literary history is the subject of Judith Zeitlin's elegantly written and meticulously researched new book.
One glance. That's all it takes. Wealthy rancher Ryan Kendrick falls hard—and fast—for lovely Bethany Coulter. A beguiling mix of sass and shyness, naiveté and maturity, she shares his passion for horses, has a great sense of humor, and can light up a room with her beautiful smile. She's absolutely perfect—in every way but one....
In 1880 a legendary spectre haunts the famous Opera House in Paris. There are all sorts of rumours about the Phantom of the Opera, sinister figure whose face remains hidden behind a grotesque mask. But what is the connection between the phantom, the mysterious Angel of Music, and the beautiful singer Christine?
A long-ago accident has left lovely Bethany Coulter confined to a wheelchair-and vulnerable to betrayal and heartbreak. She's vowed never to open her heart to a man again. But there's something about Ryan McKendrick, the handsome rancher who's so sweetly courting her. Something that makes her believe she can overcome every obstacle-and rediscover lifelong, lasting love...
Brooke and Zeke are aspiring thespians who get the roles of Esmerelda and the Phantom respectively in their school play. During a rehearsal, a masked man comes swooping down from the catwalk and disappears down the trap door. When Zeke is accused of being the masked man, he is kicked out of the play, but the masked man continues to make appearances.
