My Shanghai neighbours

Our former treasurer Marcus Fedder spent 18 months living in Shanghai's former French Concession. His latest book of his impressions of life in Shanghai has just been published.

My Shanghai Neighbours is a collection of interconnected short stories set in a so-called Xincun, a compound, in Shanghai's former French Concession, a district renowned for its historical charm and architectural beauty where he lived with his wife and his cat.

The narrative delves into the lives of the neighbourhood’s residents: pensioners still struggling with love and deceit, their son who is working for the metro, party officials haunted by their unpleasant past, a princeling and his cheeky granddaughter, a pianist, two cellists (musicians are always key characters in Marcus's books), a scientist and his rebellious offspring. Themes of past traumas, lost love, betrayal and the enduring impact of the Cultural Revolution are intricately woven throughout the tales. The stories also touch on contemporary challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the resilience and vulnerability of the human spirit.

A unique aspect of the book is the character of Jing Zhang, the neighbourhood cat, who serves as a witty observer and philosopher, offering insights into the lives and frailties of his human neighbours. Through the cat's perspective, readers gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the community and the shared experiences that bind its members over decades.

Marcus Fedder
Deputy CEO at the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB)
Former EBRD Treasurer, Treasury