bookwrm526's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
anetq's review
3.0
While it adds spice (and knowledge) to learn about a variety of chinese poetry, ancient dynasties, political tensions between the High Cadre (and their spoiled children HCC) and other in (formerly) high positions, Shanghai vs Guangzhou (and it's western maladies), surveillance and party politics, the horrors of the cultural revolution (and the list goes on)
...it makes for a long and very winding crime novel. It's also feels more like a lesson of chinese history and culture at times. But if that's what you are looking for, wrapped in a mystery of who killed the politically appointed famous National Model Worker, then this is your book.
However it is kind of spoon feeding the culture lesson, and if we didn't have to hear about every character's hardship during the cultural revolution and quote Chinese poetry at every chance, we could have gotten through this in fewer than 465 pages. It's not a bad book, but I find myself skimming over the teach-y pages to get back to the storyline - it's just more of a book about navigating politics in China, than the surface plot. From the abundance of references I gather one should read the Chinese classic [b:The Dream of the Red Chamber|243878|The Dream of the Red Chamber (Selection)|Cao Xueqin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335424128l/243878._SX50_.jpg|71096326], but I am now oddly put off by the lack of subtlety in this book's suggestion.
...it makes for a long and very winding crime novel. It's also feels more like a lesson of chinese history and culture at times. But if that's what you are looking for, wrapped in a mystery of who killed the politically appointed famous National Model Worker, then this is your book.
However it is kind of spoon feeding the culture lesson, and if we didn't have to hear about every character's hardship during the cultural revolution and quote Chinese poetry at every chance, we could have gotten through this in fewer than 465 pages. It's not a bad book, but I find myself skimming over the teach-y pages to get back to the storyline - it's just more of a book about navigating politics in China, than the surface plot. From the abundance of references I gather one should read the Chinese classic [b:The Dream of the Red Chamber|243878|The Dream of the Red Chamber (Selection)|Cao Xueqin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335424128l/243878._SX50_.jpg|71096326], but I am now oddly put off by the lack of subtlety in this book's suggestion.
_pickle_'s review
Really quite fascinating - it showed me Chinese society in a way I hadn't thought of it before. The pacing sometimes is a little off, but on the whole quite the read.
catladyreba's review
4.0
This was a Book Club pick, and I am so glad that it was. I probably never would have picked this book up on my own, but it was excellent. It was different from what I usually read, and it opened my eyes to the impact and effect that communism had on China. I mean, I knew China had been communist, but I know I never really delved into what that meant, not only for China as a country, but for everyday Chinese. I did like the mystery/police procedural, but it seemed secondary to the character development and the setting. I would definitely read more in this series. I would love to see how Chief Inspector Chen and Detective Yu continue to adapt and change with the times (if indeed they do).
johnnyb1954's review
4.0
The novel is set in 1990, about a year after Tianamin Square protests. The politics of the time plays into the story and the author does a good job of providing background on the history and politics of China in the decades leading up to this time. It is interesting that the story is just the same as it would be about a US police procedural with murder, corruption, sex, politics, and an honest policeman trying to do his job.
The book was written in English but there is a subtle difference in tone and phrasing from what you would get from an American author.
I like Chief Inspector Chen (and his partner Yu). Chen is not alcoholic or damaged, nor is he a superman adonis.
The book is well written - it seems a little slow in the middle but I think that is just because the investigation is slow and methodical.
I will read more of this series.
The book was written in English but there is a subtle difference in tone and phrasing from what you would get from an American author.
I like Chief Inspector Chen (and his partner Yu). Chen is not alcoholic or damaged, nor is he a superman adonis.
The book is well written - it seems a little slow in the middle but I think that is just because the investigation is slow and methodical.
I will read more of this series.
katymvt's review
4.0
2020 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge-a book that takes place in a country that begins with the letter C (China).
This is not really a mystery as we know who the murderer is fairly early on in the book. Instead it's a ride through Chinese culture, politics, history, and literature while the detectives try to gather evidence while dodging party leaders.
This is not really a mystery as we know who the murderer is fairly early on in the book. Instead it's a ride through Chinese culture, politics, history, and literature while the detectives try to gather evidence while dodging party leaders.
kchisholm's review against another edition
3.0
To my mind, the very best crime fiction in the world provides a window into the world in which it is set. Be that the psyche of the people, the machinations of the society, how a community is structured and operates, the laws and mores, even the way in which authorities deal with the disorder, how they implement authority. DEATH OF A RED HEROINE is set in Shanghai in 1990, a year after Tiananmen Square, an ancient city with a population tightly controlled by the Communist Party. Poet Chen Cao is an unlikely policeman, forced into the job by the party system, he's caught between a love of poetry and his own innate sense of responsibility. A loner, a romantic soul, he heads a special unit which is given the task of investigating the brutal murder of Guam Hongying. A National Model Worker, the death of Hongying is viewed as much a political situation as it is a crime.
DEATH OF A RED HEROINE is a very intricate book, exploring many aspects of the society in which the action takes place. Firstly the character of Inspector Chen Cao, a maverick (as much as you can be under totalitarian control), he's a poet, a loner, a romantic soul forced into the life of a policeman. Enjoying the very small privileges that come with rank, he's also uncomfortable with their existence. He's more fortunate in his friendships - both with long-term friends and with his colleagues.
The second aspect of the book that is carefully explored is the victim herself. Her status as a National Model Worker means that her death hits the desks, and the minds of the upper echelons of the Communist Party. Her treatment, in death, as it was in life, is slightly different. The way that her status, and her life was regarded is a particularly interesting aspect of this book, as it leads to the final component of the book worth mentioning - Chinese Society in its own right. Possibly the strongest aspect of the book, because the culture and political system of the society imposes itself over every aspect of it's people's lives. From the way that the investigation is regarded, to the way that Hongying and Chen Coa lead their lives, every move everybody makes is somehow choreographed by the ever present "Party" and its cadres.
The parts of the book that don't work quite as well are the plot, and some of the messages that the author is attempting to impart. Second part first - there is some rather heavy-handed repetition of the ills of Communist China. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the messages being delivered, constant repetition doesn't help. The first part - the plot - well got more than a bit hazy at times. Sometimes this was because we'd wandered so far from the central point of the book memory faded, at other points it was simply because plot points sort of got "dumped" into the narrative. Either way, it's not the most complex or unexpected resolution to the death of an attractive young woman.
It also isn't on the fast, tense, light read side of the scale. This is a book which will require a bit of concentration, some acceptance that as with many debuts, there's a bit of work going on to establish a character and his place in the world. But as a lead into a new series, this book has ticked yes to a lot of questions. This is undoubtedly a series that I want to catch up with. In a hurry.
DEATH OF A RED HEROINE is a very intricate book, exploring many aspects of the society in which the action takes place. Firstly the character of Inspector Chen Cao, a maverick (as much as you can be under totalitarian control), he's a poet, a loner, a romantic soul forced into the life of a policeman. Enjoying the very small privileges that come with rank, he's also uncomfortable with their existence. He's more fortunate in his friendships - both with long-term friends and with his colleagues.
The second aspect of the book that is carefully explored is the victim herself. Her status as a National Model Worker means that her death hits the desks, and the minds of the upper echelons of the Communist Party. Her treatment, in death, as it was in life, is slightly different. The way that her status, and her life was regarded is a particularly interesting aspect of this book, as it leads to the final component of the book worth mentioning - Chinese Society in its own right. Possibly the strongest aspect of the book, because the culture and political system of the society imposes itself over every aspect of it's people's lives. From the way that the investigation is regarded, to the way that Hongying and Chen Coa lead their lives, every move everybody makes is somehow choreographed by the ever present "Party" and its cadres.
The parts of the book that don't work quite as well are the plot, and some of the messages that the author is attempting to impart. Second part first - there is some rather heavy-handed repetition of the ills of Communist China. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the messages being delivered, constant repetition doesn't help. The first part - the plot - well got more than a bit hazy at times. Sometimes this was because we'd wandered so far from the central point of the book memory faded, at other points it was simply because plot points sort of got "dumped" into the narrative. Either way, it's not the most complex or unexpected resolution to the death of an attractive young woman.
It also isn't on the fast, tense, light read side of the scale. This is a book which will require a bit of concentration, some acceptance that as with many debuts, there's a bit of work going on to establish a character and his place in the world. But as a lead into a new series, this book has ticked yes to a lot of questions. This is undoubtedly a series that I want to catch up with. In a hurry.