Assassins, espionage and fake marriages aren’t usually part of a college curriculum. But College of DuPage’s (COD) 2025-2026 Great Read Series selection changes that. “Foul Lady Fortune” by Chloe Gong is a high-stakes spy novel steeped in historical drama and sci-fi, set in a politically volatile 1930s Shanghai where loyalty is fragile, and every alliance carries a cost.
The Great Read Series was created by associate English professor Alejandra Ortega in fall 2023. The initiative centers on a single book each year, using it as a foundation for campuswide discussion, academic programming and entertaining events designed to encourage learning outside of the classroom through a shared reading experience, Ortega said.
“Our criteria for the selection of texts for this community read program focuses on three key areas: to highlight contemporary voices, to give students a chance to see themselves within literature and to encourage everyone to learn from new perspectives,” Ortega said. “This means we will try to prioritize fictional works from contemporary authors that provide us with the opportunity for more interdisciplinary engagement.”
Published in 2022, “Foul Lady Fortune” is the third book in Gong’s Secrets of Shanghai series, a four-title collection set in the same fantastical version of 1930s Shanghai. Others include “These Violent Delights” and “Our Violent Ends.”
COD selected this novel because it hits several of the program’s goals, Ortega said. The novel explores identity—showing how young characters navigate self-discovery during politically turbulent times—and considers ethics in research, highlighting how innovation can be used for progress or harm.
The novel starts by introducing Rosalind Lang, an immortal and ageless assassin who goes by the code name “Fortune.” Shanghai is in the midst of a civil war. Nationalists and Communists fight for power, all while the Japanese try to get a foothold. To repay a debt to the Nationalist party, Rosalind works on the party’s behalf, completing assignments. When mysterious poisonings suddenly begin targeting residents of Shanghai, she is paired with fellow spy, Orion Hong, to infiltrate a Japanese newspaper and uncover the culprit. Here’s the twist: They’re going to have to fake a marriage to make their lives appear more ordinary.
Gong combines literary elements and genres in a way that feels fresh and unique. One particularly interesting aspect of the novel is that it serves as a retelling of William Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy “As You Like It,” written around 1599. Rosalind’s character is a direct reference to Shakespeare’s protagonist of the same name, who disguises herself as a man named Ganymede to hide in the Forest of Arden after being banished from her court. Gong takes that concept and turns it into a world of spies and aliases, which I thought was a really interesting and unique twist.
The Shakespearean and historical narratives play off each other really well, though readers unfamiliar with Shakespeare or the era’s history could miss some of the deeper connections. Early in the novel, for example, the author references the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, grounding the plot in real events. Being originally from Shanghai, Gong brings an intimate understanding of the city and its civil unrest, which gives the story more authenticity. Her ability to mix history, literature and fantasy creates a rich and immersive experience that rewards careful attention while reading.
Gong does a great job of bringing Shanghai to life through her characters, though the fast pace and dense, historical and literary layers made this hefty novel a slower read at times. Still, the blend of espionage, strong themes of identity during times of major hardship and major plot-twists keeps the story exciting and makes it clear to see why COD chose it for this year’s novel.
If this draws you in, there’s more good news for you! The Great Read Series is partnering up with various clubs and organizations to host themed events across campus. The Page Turners student-led book club will host a book discussion for the novel in February. Date, time and location are to be determined after their first meeting of the semester, Ortega said. Additionally, film studies co-chair and professor Brian Brems will host a viewing of the 1995 romance and thriller film “Shanghai Triad” on March 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Berg Instructional Center (BIC) room 1437.
The main event will be Gong’s visit to COD on Monday, March 9. Students and staff can meet her and get books signed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., while a community-wide discussion and signing will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Student Resource Center (SRC) 2000.
For more information on the Great Read Series, visit its website or contact Ortega at [email protected].
