Harper Collins Australia pp 384  

Travel back in time to the beginning of the 1900s to get a glimpse of the floating world of Westerners in China and Japan. Inspired by the true story of George Ernest Morrison, A Most Immoral Woman is first and foremost a fictional tale about Morrison, an Australian doctor, traveller and later China correspondent for The Times in London and his love for a most immoral American heiress, Mae Perkins.

Set against the backdrop of Japan and Russia's war for domination over northeast China, the novel features foreigners that were stationed in China to practice diplomacy, cover the unfolding news, and more. Morrison is like many of those around him -- young and eligible, enjoying life abroad as a bachelor with no desire to settle down -- until his eye is caught by the ravishing Mae Perkins, the daughter of a Californian millionaire. Their passionate affair leads Morrison into murky waters of love, need and a dereliction of his professional duties.

Despite Mae maintaining that she wants nothing to do with commonly held notions of the time about how women of propriety should conduct themselves, she nevertheless leads an honest life -- honestly and unashamedly seeking pleasure.

In a light-hearted manner, the novel touches on the perceptions of gender roles in society -- and their accompanying hypocritical undertones -- as well as treating readers to a colourful sneak peak at expat life in a bygone era. Four stars.

This month's reviewed books are written by authors who are making their way to Shanghai as part of next month's Shanghai International Literary Festival. www.m-restaurantgroup.com