Shanghai Gypsy was written for the Cannongate Myths series, an international editorial project of short novels in which ancient myths from various cultures are reimagined and rewritten by contemporary authors.

The foreword to the book is a mythical story about the three nails Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross with. They were forged by a Gypsy blacksmith after every other blacksmith had refused to make them. Hence the curse upon Roma people – their eternal wandering all over the world, haunted by the fourth remaining nail, always reminding them of the evil deed they had done.

Review
»The novel reveals a dimension of the spiritual and physical reality that is right next to us.« Mladina weekly

About the Author
Feri Lainšček, born in 1959 in Dolenci, Slovenia, has lived in the vicinity of a Roma village since his childhood, which is why he has learnt to respect the Roma, and was never afraid that the 'Gypsies would snatch him at night while sleeping'. Enchanted by their spirit, he draws inspiration for his writing from the unique Roma mythology.