11 - Two Gangs, Both Alike In Dignity

Never the Twins Shall Meet

This week, Pie and Lulu travel to gang-ruled 1920s Shanghai to discuss These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, a historical fantasy retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Topics include the novel’s dramatic romance, the atmospheric historical setting, and how Gong puts her own spin on the classic tale of love and rivalry.

Other media mentioned:

• In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
• The Wicked and the Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
• The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
• The Books of Ambha by Tasha Suri
• Batman: Under the Red Hood by Judd Winnick
• Suicide Squad: Bad Blood by Tom Taylor
• Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
• The Green Knight (2021) directed by David Lowery
• Romeo + Juliet (1996) directed by Baz Lurhmann
• Romeo & Juliet (2013) directed by Carlo Carlei
• Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

Content warnings: discussions historical colonialism and imperialism, medical horror, plagues/pandemics, self harm/suicide, and gang warfare

You can learn more about Never the Twins Shall Meet at our website.