jmckendry's review
4.0
This book was absolutely wonderful. I normally don't read a lot of historical fiction (trying to get more into it) and I was definitely concerned that I would be bored with this book. I was totally wrong.
While many of the characters in this novel never existed in reality, the events that shaped them did actually happen, which was mind blowing to me. I had heard about the Opium Wars in the past, but besides very vague details, I didn't really know what happened.
If you like historical fiction, I HIGHLY recommend this book. The ending fell a little short for me, but I understand why. The story didn't "end" at the end of the book because history kept on going, but it definitely made me wish the author had actually written a bit more and gotten to a better closing point. Or maybe I just liked his writing so much that I wish it hadn't ended there. Either way, FANTASTIC book.
While many of the characters in this novel never existed in reality, the events that shaped them did actually happen, which was mind blowing to me. I had heard about the Opium Wars in the past, but besides very vague details, I didn't really know what happened.
If you like historical fiction, I HIGHLY recommend this book. The ending fell a little short for me, but I understand why. The story didn't "end" at the end of the book because history kept on going, but it definitely made me wish the author had actually written a bit more and gotten to a better closing point. Or maybe I just liked his writing so much that I wish it hadn't ended there. Either way, FANTASTIC book.
danilanglie's review against another edition
3.0
Huh, interesting...
In many ways, this book had the same strengths and weaknesses that every other Rutherfurd novel has. The writing style isn't anything beautiful but it is efficient, the characters aren't super memorable but they act as good representations of theme or broader ideas.
But this book... it didn't do the thing that every other Rutherfurd novel I've read has done, which is take a very, very long view of history, starting back in the mists of time and stretching into the present day. This whole book takes place over a period of less than seventy years, really. And it focuses so much on the relationship between the British and the Chinese, to the point that several of the main point of view characters were Englishmen, not Chinese at all. To me, it spoke of a bit of discomfort with the subject matter. I almost wish this novel had been titled "The Opium Wars" instead of "China". Because this novel is a sprawling epic in some ways, but in others it's strangely Euro-centric, it's about the China that the British Empire interfaced with, not the China that came before.
Given the shorter frame of time, it felt odd that certain characters got to have final words, like Trader, and other characters just sort of unceremoniously stopped being in the novel at a certain point and never popped up again (Mei-Ling comes to mind). I didn't dislike what was here, but I kept thinking about all the things the novel was failing to engage with.
My favorite sections were honestly probably with Lacquer Nail. The switch to first person was interesting and added a different sort of voice to proceedings. I was glad that he got the final say, of all the characters we spent the novel with.
So yeah. Not destined to be my favorite of his novels, but I guess I'm still glad I gave it a try!
In many ways, this book had the same strengths and weaknesses that every other Rutherfurd novel has. The writing style isn't anything beautiful but it is efficient, the characters aren't super memorable but they act as good representations of theme or broader ideas.
But this book... it didn't do the thing that every other Rutherfurd novel I've read has done, which is take a very, very long view of history, starting back in the mists of time and stretching into the present day. This whole book takes place over a period of less than seventy years, really. And it focuses so much on the relationship between the British and the Chinese, to the point that several of the main point of view characters were Englishmen, not Chinese at all. To me, it spoke of a bit of discomfort with the subject matter. I almost wish this novel had been titled "The Opium Wars" instead of "China". Because this novel is a sprawling epic in some ways, but in others it's strangely Euro-centric, it's about the China that the British Empire interfaced with, not the China that came before.
Given the shorter frame of time, it felt odd that certain characters got to have final words, like Trader, and other characters just sort of unceremoniously stopped being in the novel at a certain point and never popped up again (Mei-Ling comes to mind). I didn't dislike what was here, but I kept thinking about all the things the novel was failing to engage with.
My favorite sections were honestly probably with Lacquer Nail. The switch to first person was interesting and added a different sort of voice to proceedings. I was glad that he got the final say, of all the characters we spent the novel with.
So yeah. Not destined to be my favorite of his novels, but I guess I'm still glad I gave it a try!
scarletandwhite's review
2.0
I feel like I need to give context to this rating (which is actually more of a 2.5). This is by no means an unenjoyable book. It's a great read. The story marches forward and the characters are distinct and memorable.
The crux of my rating is that this is a whitewashed version of this time period in China. It's not the most egregious example I have ever read, but I couldn't help but notice that most of the violent acts committed by, done to, or witnessed by characters are committed by Chinese people. The British and American characters escape with mostly clean hands in this story, which was not reality. (I'm not talking about battles or bombings; I'm talking specifically about hand to hand violence in the story.)
I was conflicted when reading this, because the writing is good and well-researched. It does portray a more balanced view of the relations between China and their invaders than I have seen from a non-Chinese source. "More balanced" is progress, but still empty for those whose elder family members (like mine) were not far removed from this time period, and in some cases, whose lives overlapped with some of these events.
However, if you have zero knowledge about this time period, this is a good place to start.
The crux of my rating is that this is a whitewashed version of this time period in China. It's not the most egregious example I have ever read, but I couldn't help but notice that most of the violent acts committed by, done to, or witnessed by characters are committed by Chinese people. The British and American characters escape with mostly clean hands in this story, which was not reality. (I'm not talking about battles or bombings; I'm talking specifically about hand to hand violence in the story.)
I was conflicted when reading this, because the writing is good and well-researched. It does portray a more balanced view of the relations between China and their invaders than I have seen from a non-Chinese source. "More balanced" is progress, but still empty for those whose elder family members (like mine) were not far removed from this time period, and in some cases, whose lives overlapped with some of these events.
However, if you have zero knowledge about this time period, this is a good place to start.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
The kingdom of China is closed to outsiders, the Emperor rules a huge land mass and does not need to trade with barbarians. The British are desperate to get hold of China tea but cannot afford the price in silver so they smuggle opium into the country which leads to conflict. The Manchu dynasty is under threat from both the barbarians and also a sect from the south who threaten the rulers. This is a time when fortunes can be made or lost.
Normally Rutherfurd writes novels that are vast in terms of time scale but here the time is shortened, around 50 years in the 19th Century, but where the changes are massive. As ever he weaves the stories of a group of families together and because the timeframe allows it the characters are fully developed. There is the English merchant and his missionary cousin, the eunuch, the general and the peasant. This period of Chinese history is fleshed out in an incredibly readable way and the sheer length of the novel does not seem much of an issue as the stories are so fascinating. Another triumph for a favourite author
Normally Rutherfurd writes novels that are vast in terms of time scale but here the time is shortened, around 50 years in the 19th Century, but where the changes are massive. As ever he weaves the stories of a group of families together and because the timeframe allows it the characters are fully developed. There is the English merchant and his missionary cousin, the eunuch, the general and the peasant. This period of Chinese history is fleshed out in an incredibly readable way and the sheer length of the novel does not seem much of an issue as the stories are so fascinating. Another triumph for a favourite author
jeep8read's review
5.0
Rutherford's China was both a treasure and a challenge for me because I have little background in Eastern cultures and the complexity of the country. This portion of its history offers insights into why its empire failed. The characters that Rutherford creates to deliver the message are memorable.
It's not an easy read and took me longer than books of this size normally do, but it was worth it.
It's not an easy read and took me longer than books of this size normally do, but it was worth it.
phaedosia's review
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elenology's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
captainstarcat's review against another edition
informative
slow-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
4.0
gerbilreads's review
4.0
A very different endeavour from his usual style, in that the book focuses on a single generation. If I had to criticise, I would say that Rutherfurd has a light hand when designing characters, which works well when they are only around for a chapter or two, but makes the characters here feel a little flat.
But who cares, this book was wonderful, full of insight and the meticulous historical work Rutherfurd is routinely admired for. He has a fantastic ability to be utterly even-handed, impressive considering what profound shits the British are (specifically during the opium wars, here). And yet you DO care for the British characters all the same and route for them. Ditto the Chinese.
But who cares, this book was wonderful, full of insight and the meticulous historical work Rutherfurd is routinely admired for. He has a fantastic ability to be utterly even-handed, impressive considering what profound shits the British are (specifically during the opium wars, here). And yet you DO care for the British characters all the same and route for them. Ditto the Chinese.
hausofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75