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A review by erboe501
China by Edward Rutherfurd
3.0
I really enjoyed other sweeping historical novels from Rutherfurd on London and Paris. I don’t know much about Chinese history, so I looked forward to learning. Unlike the London and Paris novels, this isn’t a multi-generational epic following the same family through the ages. Instead, it follows multiple characters of different nationalities (British, Han and Manchurian Chinese, American) across two generations involved in the Opium War and Boxer Rebellion.
I enjoyed learning about these events and found the action immersive, if at times dragged down by military and technical explanations. But some of the characters didn’t feel especially well-drawn. I’m finding I have less tolerance for men and their egos, and this book is populated by mostly male characters. John Trader's character (good, bad, some combo of the two?) was also hard to pin down.
Overall enjoyable if perhaps a longer commitment than worth it. It might be a long while before I pick up the other Rutherfurds on my shelf.
I enjoyed learning about these events and found the action immersive, if at times dragged down by military and technical explanations. But some of the characters didn’t feel especially well-drawn. I’m finding I have less tolerance for men and their egos, and this book is populated by mostly male characters. John Trader's character (good, bad, some combo of the two?) was also hard to pin down.
Overall enjoyable if perhaps a longer commitment than worth it. It might be a long while before I pick up the other Rutherfurds on my shelf.