London: the Novel Edward Rutherfurd Family Tree Ruth Pdf
Run across a Problem?
Thanks for telling us nearly the problem.
Friend Reviews
Reader Q&A
Customs Reviews
When dealing with China, we are talking most a country that has such a long history that Rutherfurd needed to discover a memorable menstruum upon which to focus. Here we begin with the run-upward to the ii Opium Wars and get as far as the Boxer Rebellion, while in between in that location is the Taiping Rebellion. It is an eventful perio I anxiously awaited this new novel by one of the best electric current historical fiction authors, and while it did not disappoint me, information technology did not quite hit the five***** book that I had hoped.
When dealing with People's republic of china, we are talking near a land that has such a long history that Rutherfurd needed to find a memorable menstruum upon which to focus. Here we brainstorm with the run-up to the 2 Opium Wars and go as far every bit the Boxer Rebellion, while in betwixt there is the Taiping Rebellion. Information technology is an eventful period and Rutherfurd does a really practiced job of detailing this historical era. The history is spot on, and I learned so much nigh these conflicts which I had heard of but never truly understood.
As with all of his books, China features multiple characters and follows them through these turbulent times. Nosotros have opium traders, British diplomats, Chinese pirates, dowagers, emperors and eunuchs! Quite a diverse group to follow and on the whole these characters do a wonderful task in both interacting together, also equally being part of these historic times.
Well written and superbly researched, this book does cheque off many of the boxes that I had expected, yet in many means it falls flat. Why would that be? Well, while I do not similar to take books wrapped upwards in a nice neat package, I do like to finish characters storylines, and too many of these characters are just left hanging. We are only dealing with a lx yr timeline and there really is no reason not to finish off these stories. A few practise go completed but there are many that are left dangling, then halfway through the book he introduces a new major character whose story as a eunuch in the Emperors Court dominated the last half of the book and many of the original characters merely seem to disappear.
Call me picky, only I simply felt a fiddling bit disappointed after such a long wait since his volume Paris. Very good, non great, and certainly not similar Michener who reigns supreme in my ranking of historical fiction authors. ...more
But after less than a century, a native Han dynasty, the shining Ming, had managed to kick the Mongols out and strengthen the Great Wall to deter other invaders. They'd kept Kubla Khan'southward capital, all the same. And for three centuries the Ming had ruled China. It had been a golden age. Literatue and the arts had thrived."
"The huge outer wall earlier him ran four miles across, from east to west, with a mighty gatehouse in the center. Inside the wall, on the right, raised in a higher place the surrounding globe on a keen mound, he could see the drumlike pagoda at the Temple of Sky, before which the emperor performed the ancient ceremonies to ask the gods for practiced harvests, its three tiers of blueish-tiled roofs turning to indigo nder the reddening embers of the clouds."
And I must say that the highlight of this crawly and memorable trip was our time in Tibet. Equally we were flying over the Tibetan peaks, including Mount Everest, we were enthralled with our incomparable journey. Tibet was a pristene oasis in the vast land of People's republic of china and fighting for their independence. When we landed in Lhasa, information technology was magical. Literally Lhasa translates to 'place of gods.' And that it was. We trekked up all of the 432 steps to the Potala Palace that was the wintertime palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959. It was an indescribable experience.
"It was more than a k miles to the great Tibetan Plateau, the vast rooftop of the world, fringed by the Himalayas, over which the sun seemed to exist hovering at this moment. One was nearer to the eternal blue Heaven up there, he supposed, than anywhere on World. From those celestial heights came the greatest rivers of Asia: the Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Brahnaputtra, and Mekong, all flowing to the south; and flowing due east, the two mighty rivers of China--the Yangtze, making its stupendous loop downward through the valleys and rice fields of southern China, and the Xanthous River, moving like a huge snake beyond the grain-planted plains of the center and north."
With such a whirlwind trip packed into four curt weeks, the cities that are brilliant in our memories include Beijing and Shanghai, simply one of the about cute places was Guilin, a truly enchanting experience.
"Mei-Ling liked Guilin. . . . The place was quite remarkable. Millenia of rains and flowing waters had sculpted the soft karst rock of the region into a landscape of miniature mountains, steep as anthills, hundreds of feet high and covered with green copse, except for the grey cliffs on their sides, here and there, where even mountain trees couldn't find their footing. A pleasant river, called the Li, flowed abreast the town."
"On sunny days the hills gathered around the intimate plateaus of pastures and rice fields, like giant light-green dolmans protecting a sanctuary. But when the mists filled the river valleys, and then the onlooker seemed to exist witnessing an regular army of hooded gods moving slowly through a world of clouds."
...more
Gear up during the Opium Wars, and with his panning of characters on all sides of the issue, I learned so much near the perspectives of those involved. Information technology was also a deep dive into civilization in Red china, Slap-up U.k., and the globe at this significant time. There is a strong sense of chance and even a touch of rom
At 764 pages, woo!, Cathay is a big book. It is the first book I've read by Edward Rutherfurd, known for writing epic tomes well-nigh significant places and times in history, across generations.Set during the Opium Wars, and with his panning of characters on all sides of the event, I learned so much about the perspectives of those involved. It was also a deep dive into civilization in China, Great U.k., and the globe at this significant time. There is a strong sense of adventure and even a bear on of romance and drama to this story. I'll never forget Mei-Lhing, Trader, and a eunuch named Lacquer Smash.
Overall, Rutherfurd is skillful at presenting well-researched history from all sides in an approachable, highly readable way. I can't imagine how much time it took to plan this saga and necktie these story threads together.
I read China with my love friend, Beth, and I'm and then grateful we read this together and so we could hash out how much we'd learned. It sparked our interest to read boosted books set in China, both fiction and nonfiction.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be constitute on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: world wide web.instagram.com/tarheelreader
...more
As a Chinese person with knowledge of Chinese history, I thought it was a chip ridiculous in terms of how these historical events were portrayed. Not only is this book highly Eurocentric and whitewashed, it is extremely sanitized and actually makes you feel sorry for the British inva
If you don't know anything almost Chinese history (as nigh of these reviewers seem to be), then this may take been interesting to read. But I must ask you to take the perspective of this volume with a huge grain of salt.As a Chinese person with knowledge of Chinese history, I thought it was a bit ridiculous in terms of how these historical events were portrayed. Non merely is this book highly Eurocentric and whitewashed, it is extremely sanitized and actually makes yous feel distressing for the British invaders who forced and practically raped Chinese people into an epidemic of drug addictions that straight displaced and tore apart hundreds of thousands of families! Merely because the Emperor of China refused to allow the British exploit his state. European missionaries in Red china had murdered hundreds of babies (audio familiar?? I alive in Canada) and British soldiers killed, looted, and then burned down palaces and temples with people however trapped inside (The One-time Summer Palace, a real historical event). They were the bodily pirates.
And still the almost tearing thing described in the book... is foot binding. LOL. Foot binding has a long, complicated, and painful history for Chinese women. It began as a thing of nobility that also oppressed women, simply when Chinese Han people were oppressed by the Qing dynasty, it became a thing Han women did as a way to retain their civilization... but it is not for outsiders to comment on, and it is FAR from being the most violent and brutal affair that happened during this time.
Rutherfurd is a good novelist; I'm not about to trash his professional person skills. It's a fun, fictional epic. But many of these reviewers seem to think this book is a cracking book on recent Chinese history, and I'm maxim....... it's really non. Peradventure it's good from a western, Eurocentric point of view. But to the Chinese people, that's basically the villain'south point of view. Again, the sanitization and label of the British truly irked me. If y'all're really interested in Chinese history, read it from Chinese scholars and novelists if you can. None of the books written about Chinese history by Western authors are always accurate (at to the lowest degree, not in my experience).
...more than
I was looking forward to his adjacent effort which was published final week, Prc: THE NOVEL. The novel does not present the scope and panorama of his earlier works, and at that place are a few questions about organization, only it still was a satisfying read. The novel begins with events leading to the 1839 Opium State of war betwixt England and the "Center Kingdom" and carries the reader through Chinese history first with the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, the Boxer Rebellion, and finally the 1911 Revolution. Through its characters Rutherfurd tries to present each outcome and different attempts at reform that sought to throw off the western imperialist yoke. Over time these occurrences would lay the groundwork for the rise of Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Political party which emerged afterwards World War I, consolidated its support amongst the peasants in the 1930s and during World War II, and finally defeated the Guomintang (Nationalist Party) in 1949 and began the Maoist dominion over People's republic of china which dominated the old "Celestial Kingdom" until the early on 1980s.
The book seems to be organized in two parts, the first centers around the opium trade and a series of characters from British merchants, Chinese traders, government officials, and a number of ancillary families. The second part focuses on the life of i individual in particular, Lacquer Nail whose graphic symbol is somewhat contrived and how the Chinese government tried to defeat the foreign imperialists, but to no avail. Rutherdurd does a credible job integrating truthful historical figures with fictional characters. At the outset, the key historical figure that is portrayed accurately is Lin Zexu, who was a Chinese caput of states (Viceroy), Governor General, scholar-official, and Loftier Commissioner who was charged past the emperor to rid the country of the opium merchandise that was bankrupting the kingdom because of the outflow of silverish to pay for the opium. The next important graphic symbol is fictional, Jiang Shi-Rong who rose to become Commissioner Lin'due south personal secretarial assistant.
From the outset of the novel, it is clear that Rutherfurd has done his homework every bit he exhibits a firm grasp of Chinese history and culture. His explanation of the reasons for and the impact of foot binding on women is engrossing as is his description of the Forbidden City, the metropolitan exams to become a scholar-official, the language employed by Chinese officials, the differences between Han and Manchu Chinese, the dichotomy betwixt northern and southern China, as is the presentation of historical figures like James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, the weakness of the Xian Feng Emperor, Prince Gong, regent from 1861-1865, the Empress Cixi, Lin Zexu, Edmund Backhouse, a British oriental scholar and linguist amongst others.
Fictional characters abound with the central figures including John Trader, a British merchant who engages in the Opium merchandise as a means of impressing Agnes Lomond in Calcutta; Cecil Whiteparish, Trader's cousin and missionary; Mei-Ling a Chinese woman who provides a window into the misogyny of Chinese culture; Nio, Mei-Ling's "brother" who is a pirate and eventually joins the Taiping movement to overthrow the Emperor; Guanji, a Manchu officer; the Odstock brothers who lived off the opium merchandise; and Mr. Liu who is bent on destroying Lacquer Boom.
Rutherfurd navigates the different factions within the Chinese government and the disagreements and friction amid the characters very nicely. A example in signal is the Eunuch system and what one went through to get one and how they achieved wealth and power in the Forbidden City in dealing with the Emperor. Rutherfurd is able to develop a number of stories inside the larger story of the novel very carefully. Chief amidst them revolves around the Taiping Rebellion, an insurgence commanded by Hong Xiuquan, the cocky-proclaimed blood brother of Jesus Christ. Its goals were religious, nationalist, and political in nature; Hong sought the conversion of the Chinese people to the Taiping'south syncretic version of Christianity, to overthrow the ruling Qing Dynasty, and a land transformation. At times it appeared that the British might marry with the Taiping's in lodge to secure the opium merchandise and other bolt like tea.
The overall theme of the novel is the history of Prc betwixt 1839 and 1911 that was dominated past British imperialism, later joined by other European powers and the Usa. As Rutherfurd develops the novel he integrates other important historical data germane to his topic, i.east., the recruitment of Chinese labor to work on the railroads in the Usa, the politics of the British parliament, events in India, among others. If i is conversant in Chinese history during this period, you volition be able to relate to what is evolving. If not Rutherfurd clearly presents the rhythms of the Chinese approach to life and how it conflicted with western expectations and why conflict was inevitable.
Cultural superiority is a dominant theme as the Chinese saw the westward equally barbarians who were inferior to the Confucian way of life, and western lack of respect for Chinese civilisation seeing the Chinese people as animals in many cases. The causes and results of the two Opium Wars are reviewed and their effect on Chinese guild and politics stand up out. Rutherfurd spends a great deal of time on the Taiping Rebellion which many historians encounter as laying the background for Maoist thought with their agrestal reform ideas, however over 40 million Chinese would die during the conflict. The author also takes a deep dive through his characters as the Chinese attempt to reform themselves afterwards the Taiping Rebellion with the rise of the Empress Cixi simply to no avail. The Boxer Rebellion becomes forepart and middle at the turn of the 2oth century equally does the rise of Sun Yat-Sen and his ideas that resulted in the 1911 Revolution that followed the expiry of the Empress Cixi.
The before sections of the novel are much more than engaging because of its focus on the Chinese family apart from the opium trade. The later sections of the novel are exhausting with its focus on court life and attempts to deal with the west. From the title of the book, one would promise its focus would be more than on the Chinese people themselves without providing such a prominent occidental slant.
The book at times can exist unwieldly, only slowly it will obsess yous and make you want to complete its 763 pages. Rutherfurd volition lay out the difference betwixt eastern and western civilisation and one might question the goals and complexities of each. Though I do not recall the book flows as evenly equally previous Rutherfurd novels, the book provides an education in of itself through its historical and myriad fictional characters and is worth the read.
*****************************************************************************
If you have found the events and personalities presented in the book interesting, I would recommend the following: THE BOXER REBELLION by Diana Preston; Fall IN THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM past Stephen R. Platt; IMPERIAL TWILIGHT: THE OPIUM WAR AND THE END OF Communist china'S Terminal GOLDEN AGE by Stephen R. Platt; EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI by Jung Chang; GOD'South CHINESE SON past Jonathan Spence or whatever other books on Chinese history written by Spence.
Then western merchant adventurers resorted to smuggling in opium in exchange. The Chinese Emperor, determined to prevent his people from sinking into addiction, sent the incorruptible Viceroy Lin to Canton, the main hub of the opium merchandise, to stop it. The British sent gunboats, and the Opium Wars began - heralding a period of bloody military defeats, reparations, and 1-sided treaties which became known in China as the Century of Humiliation. From Hong Kong to Beijing to the Not bad Wall, from the exotic wonders of the Summertime Palace and the Forbidden Metropolis, to squalid village huts, the dramatic struggle rages across the Angelic Kingdom. This is the story of the Chinese people, loftier and depression, and the Westerners who came to exploit the riches of their ancient land and culture. We run across a young village married woman struggling with the rigid traditions of her people, Manchu empresses and warriors, powerful eunuchs.
In that location are fanatical Taiping and Boxer Rebels, savvy Chinese pirates, artists, concubines, scoundrels and heroes, well-intentioned missionaries and the rapacious merchants, diplomats and soldiers of the Due west. It tells the tale of this mighty clash of world views, of mutual misunderstanding, of fortunes gained, battles fought and honey lost, as humanly and honestly as it could be portrayed, as seen from both sides of the split. I found myself fascinated, made wiser and often moved, and it's immediately clear that Rutherfurd has carried out extensive research in gild to provide the intricate detail filling these pages. An intriguing, captivating and eminently readable historical epic, China flows like a thriller and shows us the land in days long befallen to the passage of fourth dimension and is authentic, exciting and richly immersive. Highly recommended.
...more
The novel opens in 1839, at the beginning of the Beginning Opium State of war betwixt the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty and the west and unfolds over the remainder of the Qing Dynasty, closing with mention of Dr Sun Yat-sen, General Yuan and Edmund Backhouse in the early on twentieth century.
We follow the fortunes of members of dissimilar Chinese, British and American families over this period. I due west
'Yous must always retrieve that the emperor of China sits at the centre of the world, and he rules by the Mandate of Sky.'The novel opens in 1839, at the kickoff of the First Opium State of war betwixt the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty and the west and unfolds over the remainder of the Qing Dynasty, closing with mention of Dr Sun Yat-sen, General Yuan and Edmund Backhouse in the early twentieth century.
Nosotros follow the fortunes of members of unlike Chinese, British and American families over this period. I was especially interested in Mr Rutherford's depiction of diverse Chinese: from the Confucian principles outlined (if non always followed) past the Mandarins; of the differences between the Han Chinese and the Manchu; and of the community described. While this novel is confronting the background of just a modest period of Chinese history, Mr Rutherfurd's characters reflect the conflict betwixt the values of the Middle Kingdom and western imperialism. While I think Mr Rutherfurd depicts them accurately, I am less sympathetic to the western characters, especially the opportunistic traders and missionaries.
For me, most of the characters were less of import than the story they were role of. They each served to highlight a particular function of history, to nowadays a viewpoint consistent with the position occupied. I especially liked the eunuch Lacquer Nail's clarification of the Empress Dowager Cixi'southward reign, and I also enjoyed the stories of Shi-Rong (a immature Mandarin at the kickoff of the novel) and Mei-Ling (from a village near Guangzhou).
While I was hoping for a novel set in China before the impact of western imperialism, I quickly fell into the rhythm of this novel and enjoyed information technology. Chinese history is fascinating, and Mr Rutherfurd brings this detail period to life.
'Mainland china'due south history is long. The pattern takes new forms, but in essence information technology is always the same. A dynasty slowly degenerates. Outsiders interlope. Insiders insubordinate. The Mandate of Heaven is withdrawn. The dynasty falls. A flow of chaos and warlords follows. Finally order is restored by a new dynasty, usually from inside. The old empire rises once again for a few more than centuries.'
I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in Cathay.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
...more
BRING It ON.
Afterward having read, and immensely enjoyed many of Rutherfurd'due south other books, I am absolutely stoked to see what he will do with this novel, as I absolutely love his writing style and am eager to come across how he illustrates Asian/Chinese history.BRING IT ON.
...more
Actual rating: four.5 stars
This is my fourth historical fiction novel written past Edward Rutherfurd, and as like his other novels, did not disappoint (mostly). As like his other novels, readers are taken on a journey of either a city or country and given a very thorough noesis of its culture, people, geography, etc. By the end of his novels, you get a profound appreciation and y'all walk abroad mor
"Call up what Napoleon said: Communist china is a sleeping giant. When she awakes the world volition tremble" . . .Actual rating: 4.5 stars
This is my fourth historical fiction novel written past Edward Rutherfurd, and equally like his other novels, did non disappoint (mostly). As like his other novels, readers are taken on a journey of either a city or state and given a very thorough knowledge of its civilisation, people, geography, etc. Past the end of his novels, you get a profound appreciation and you walk away more knowledgeable, then when you first started.
However, unlike his other novels which span thousands of years through many generations, in this novel, nosotros're merely introduced to decades of Chinese history, but nonetheless, the event is notwithstanding the same as in his other works.
In his latest novel China: The Novel, readers are introduced to the dawn of the Opium Wars back in 1839, and progresses through Chinese history showing how Cathay was set in its old means, and how the West attempted to open China upwardly and introduce their own ways on them.
Readers are taken through milestone historical events throughout the novel such as: Opium Wars, Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion, the rule of the last Empress of Red china (Cixi), etc.
We're introduced to a broad variety of characters as we journey through Chinese history such as: missionaries, traders, palace eunuchs, pirates, etc.
Non only does the author take readers through Chinese milestone events equally mentioned above, but as similar in his by novels I've read introduces subtle events through the optics of characters that are resurfaced now and again (you need to pay attention to the many characters he introduces, and what they exercise, equally this is one of the many keys to his novels). For example as one of the subtle events introduced, is the incorporation of Chinese workers going to California during the 1848 Gold Blitz to work on the railroads.
As mentioned higher up, Mr Rutherfurd gives readers a fantastic and well detailed journeying to the geography of the country or metropolis he is writing about. In the sense of China: The Novel, the writer does a wonderful task of detailing the geography of Prc and placing the reader right there.
I feel like I can't do this book justice enough in this review, but I notice this is 1 readers need to read and have away what they feel is important. I institute one of the pieces of history very interesting was the Opium Wars which lasted from 1839-1842.
I establish this link while googling, which I am including here should anyone else be of interest: https://world wide web.nam.air-conditioning.uk/explore/opium-due west...
If you're at all interested in Chinese history, I highly recommend you check this one out :)
** As e'er, I find myself wondering how big Mr. Rutherfurd's research team is, as his whether he writes one that spans thousands of years or decades, his research is e'er top notch and the story is and then captivating, y'all're drawn in correct from the get go **
...more
The various characters were introduced and their lives followed in third person, with many engaging twists, except for i charcter who' narrative was in the offset person giving the read ano
This is the All-time Book I've read this year. In that location was a richness of characters from foreigners to various Chinese Civilization groups, adult separately, then oft with them interacting in interesting ways. In that location was only one time that i guessed an outcome from an encounter; the rest were surprise subsequently surprise.The various characters were introduced and their lives followed in third person, with many engaging twists, except for one charcter who' narrative was in the first person giving the read some other elevated dimension.
The section on foot bounden has painful to read, perhaps to solicit sympathy. The British certainly came beyond as Barbarians every bit i plant myself siding with the Chinese signal of view. China has a long history and a long memory. They will endeavour to regain what was lost to them.
Information technology had been a pleasure to read, with a richness of characters and well paced presentation of events that allowed understanding of why things (rebelllions) went the style they did. i learned a lot about China in the fourth dimension flow the story followed (1839-1901). I broadened my cognition of the Boxer Rebellion, Taiping, the Forbidden Palace (which i take had the good fortune to visit in 2006), the Ming Dynasty, Confuciasm and other facets of Chinese history
The characters remain brilliant in my mind.
Typed using EasyKeyB
...more
The more than I read, the more I was drawn into thursday
have read several books by Edward Rutherfurd and liked all of them. This book, like the others, gives you a lesson in history but in fiction grade. This book is a history of China from the Opium Wars up to and including the Boxer Insurgence - a catamenia of roughly lxx years. The writer follows several fictitious families, both Chinese and British, throughout this period. It charts the ever changing relationships between both the people and the governments.The more I read, the more I was fatigued into the book. I had heard near both the Opium Wars and the Boxer Uprisings, but I didn't know United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland'southward office in these events, or the changes they instigated. The characters came alive to me - some more than others, I would love a sequel following the aforementioned families, but depicting the period from the cease of the Boxer Uprising to the present day.
This book is not for somebody who likes to dip in and out of a book. It is a very large book, and needs some concentration. Personally, the more I read, the more I wanted to read - when I finished it, I had enjoyed it so much, information technology took a few days before I felt that I could leave this behind and start a new volume.
If you bask sagas and also savor learning about history without being bored with non-fiction books, this is highly recommended. Afterwards a couple of 'chick=lit" books, I intend to re=read the rest of Edward Rutherfurd books.
...more than 
Ch Set in 19th century Cathay, this is the platonic historical fiction - lucid, detailed and engrossing. Information technology picks off from the get-go Opium War and ends with the Boxer rebellion. On the way, nosotros follow events intertwined around the lives of a few characters - Chinese and foreign. The writer stays largely non-judgemental and the book is a fine example of "show non tell" and that too from multiple POVs. And unlike other Rutherfurd novels, there is a greater continuity as the time period covered is short.
Mainland china - 1 sixth of the earth's population and the second superpower currently. And to call back I had non read whatsoever fiction - crime,historical or contemporary set in China. And was intimidated past histories such equally "China" by John Keay. Even though I loved Keay's books on Indian history earlier. May at present pick information technology up soon.
Finally, the finest historical fiction I have read so far is "Bounding main of Poppies" by Amitav Ghosh. The greatest compliment I can pay Rutherfurd is that he reminded me of Ghosh all the way ! ...more
Every bit with all of the author's books, this is a LONG book. Well over 800 p I admittedly loved this book! Covering the menses from the Opium Wars through the Boxer Rebellion, the writer fabricated me experience like I was at that place. A wide variety of richly adult characters let the reader to experience the events from multiple perspectives. The author follows history closely, using a mix of bodily and fictional people. Some of the characters you will honey, some you will despise, merely they all add to the story.
As with all of the author's books, this is a LONG book. Well over 800 pages! I had a scrap of difficulty getting into it at first. I had recently read "The Opium Lord's Daughter" by Robert Wang, so much of the beginning seemed to be repetitive, simply then Wow! Did the story ever take off! I lost a lot of sleep, reading into the wee hours because I only could non put this book down!
A peachy, epic read! Highly highly recommend! ...more
05/20/2021
Review to follow. I finished it in the wee hours of this morning time and demand to recollect virtually information technology.
05/23/2021
There is no question that Rutherfurd is a wonderful storyteller and thoroughly accurate and painstaking researcher of history. I certainly enjoyed this very much. Unlike his first
05/twenty/2021
Review to follow. I finished it in the wee hours of this morning time and need to think about it.
05/23/2021
There is no question that Rutherfurd is a wonderful storyteller and thoroughly authentic and painstaking researcher of history. I certainly enjoyed this very much. Unlike his first works (Sarum: The Novel of England, London, Russka: The Novel of Russia, The Princes of Ireland, and The Rebels of Republic of ireland, all of which begin with a vast and expansive panorama of geology, natural sciences, and history from pre-human to gimmicky time, People's republic of china: The Novel, like Paris and New York, is prepare in a much briefer time period, in this case, it is bookmarked by by the Opium War and the Boxer Rebellion in mid-19th and the early 20th centuries.
Well, actually its a bit virtually John Trader, a nominatively adamant Dickens style character full of quirks and twists and hidden secrets, who is an opium trader simply doesn't really want to be an one. John Trader is a difficult character for me, not just because of his name, but also because he feels out of time. He has been stitched together out of the childhoods of other Victorian schoolhouse novels, he is the vehicle with which we get to understand class dynamics, merely also suffers a one thousand guignol maiming of remarkable mundanity, We come up back to John a lot, he lives to exist ninety nine, and each time I felt he was explaining something to me that should be obvious from the text. It also meant I didn't really trust the Chinese characters that much. If I found John such a cliche, my interest in his Chinese counterparts probably just hid my lack of understanding that they were similarly ane dimensional caricatures (even I thought too much time was spent on human foot binding). For most of the book these storylines run parallel, the travails of 2nd Son'south wife, the courtroom insider and local ambassador. And then nearly halfway the style changes. We suddenly become and start person confessional from a Eunuch chosen Lacquer Blast who ends up in the service of the Dowager Empress. Suddenly the book came to life - its a pity it happens about iv hundred pages in..
Prc is viii hundred pages long and exists if you want a challenging beach read. You lot will certainly acquire a lot, and I certainly can't error the history. That said in that location are many clunky $.25, not least when John Trader wonders out loud what historians of the future volition brand of the opium merchandise. Full disclosure, I about gave up, merely luckily hit the Lacquer Boom section which is gossipy and exciting. But it still feels like an awful lot of inquiry with a story painted on top.
...more than 
#hodderandstoughton
#jonathanball
The author is well-known for his epic novels of historical fiction, such as Sarum (Salisbury); New York; Paris; Russka (Russia) and Dublin. (Interesting trivia in this regard: Francis Edward Wintle uses the pseudonym Edward Rutherfurd. Built-in in Salisbury, England, he was educated at both the universities of Cambridge and Stanford, lived in both London and New York and now resides in Dublin.)
China differs slightly from his previous novels i
#China - Edward Rutherfurd#hodderandstoughton
#jonathanball
The writer is well-known for his epic novels of historical fiction, such every bit Sarum (Salisbury); New York; Paris; Russka (Russian federation) and Dublin. (Interesting trivia in this regard: Francis Edward Wintle uses the pseudonym Edward Rutherfurd. Born in Salisbury, England, he was educated at both the universities of Cambridge and Stanford, lived in both London and New York and now resides in Dublin.)
China differs slightly from his previous novels in that the menstruation covered is shorter than usual; measuring decades, rather than centuries. The benefit thereof being, of course, that the reader becomes much improve acquainted with and attached to the cardinal characters as some of them appear from the beginning to the stop of the novel. Just, similar to the previous novels, this ane is an ballsy work of historical fiction; narrating the history of Communist china from 1839 to 1908 on a grand scale.
At the opening of the novel China is under the Manchu-dominion of the Qing-dynasty in Beijing (Peking) in the North. Towards the South, especially most Canton (Guangzhou) the opium trade is growing exponentially. A young Englishman, John Trader, leaves Calcutta to invest everything he has in the opium trade. At the aforementioned time the Chinese emperor decides to destroy the opium trade; challenge that the addictive qualities thereof are destroying the celestial kingdom. The truth is a scrap more than circuitous, though: silver is the currency nearly desired by all. Whilst the Chinese has sold tea to the British in exchange for silver in the by, the reality is that they are now ownership opium from the British with the very same silver; creating a monetary and economical crisis.
The consequence: the first opium war and the ceding of Hong Kong to the British Empire. I found some of the armed forces (naval) scenes peculiarly interesting; the Chinese tried to lure the British into shallow waters since the British warships would get stranded, but the British struck dorsum with the arrival of the Nemesis; a steam operated war ship, capable of navigating in shallow water and fabricated of metallic, making it virtually indestructible compared to the wooden Chinese dragon boats.
The reader is also introduced to a peasant girl, Mei-Ling. Descendant from the Hakka, her feet were not leap and she is thus destined to marry a elementary farmer, known only as Second Son. Her adopted younger brother, Nio, would become instrumental in the Taiping Rebellion; a bloody ceremonious war betwixt the Manchu Qing dynasty and the Hakka led Heavenly Kingdom. The last rebels would only exist defeated in 1871; leaving 30-fifty million people expressionless.
The novel also covers the 2d opium war (resulting in the ironic flying of the emperor from the French and British armies to the North of the Great Wall.) The Wall was built to withstand enemies from the N; non foreseeing that a threat would e'er come from the S. A far-reaching result of this war was the loss of Vladivostok to Russia.
The Empress Dowager Cixi, who effectively ruled the Qing dynasty from 1861 until her death in 1908, is a true historical character, introduced to the reader by a eunuch in the Summer Palace, Lacquer Boom. It is interesting to annotation that the author refers to the memoirs of one Edmund Backhouse; a scandalous and somewhat doubtful business relationship of this catamenia in Chinese history, making Backhouse a grapheme in the novel, merely, due to his suspected unreliability, he is effectively replaced past the fictional Lacquer Boom as narrator.
The novel concludes soon later on the Boxer-rebellion (1899-1901); an anti-Christian and anti-imperialism insurrection characterized by the use of the colour red; virtually 800 pages later on the opening scenes in 1839.
The reading of this novel had me captivated for quite a while. The detail is breath-taking and I consulted the maps included in the novel constantly. It is not an easy or quick read; it is tedious paced; thorough; historically authentic and fascinating, however, and deserves 5 stars from #Uitdieperdsebek
I
...more
Writing: 5/5 Plot: v/5 Characters: 5/5
A sweeping novel of China from 1839 - 1900, from the Opium Wars through Prc's Century of Humiliation to the suppression of the Boxer rebellion. It's the story of the conflicts surrounding the forced opening of Prc to Western merchandise, community, and religion. The story is told through a variety of
Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing an accelerate copy of this book in commutation for my honest review. The volume volition be published on May 11th, 2021.Writing: five/5 Plot: v/five Characters: 5/5
A sweeping novel of China from 1839 - 1900, from the Opium Wars through People's republic of china'southward Century of Humiliation to the suppression of the Boxer rebellion. It's the story of the conflicts surrounding the forced opening of Mainland china to Western trade, customs, and religion. The story is told through a variety of characters who span cultures, classes, backgrounds, and professions (including plenty of women characters with different roles, abilities and agendas). Multiple generations of characters such equally a young English merchant trying to make his fortune (through opium), an upright Mandarin charged with enforcing the emperor's ban of opium, a palace eunuch, a peasant girl, a mercenary pirate, a missionary, a Manchu bannerman, the emperor and various concubines and princes, and some craftsmen. The characters have depth, too. They reflect on what is happening, how they feel well-nigh their ain role, and how to accomplish their goals while maintaining their values (or how to shift their values to attain their goals).
I dear that history itself is the protagonist in this novel, rather than the groundwork setting for private stories. Everything is told through the personal stories of the characters — either through participation in the action or through conversations between neighbors, colleagues, and family unit members. Fifty-fifty past history is exemplified in ritual and description of the origin of private morality. This arroyo brings to the fore what it was like to live through these times with only straight observations and rumors as sources of information. And how very different that information was depending on your location, background, profession, culture and connections. Additionally, there were so many fascinating descriptions of various ways of life — all told in a style that was interesting because someone was learning it (e.g. a arts and crafts) or going through it — so ever real and never dry. This was a long book, and I literally had trouble putting it down. (As a alarm, i of these "fascinating" descriptions was about foot bounden, and I skimmed through trying not to read that at all. Of all the atrocities visited upon humans, this is the 1 I notice most horrific and barbarian (yes, even more female circumcision which comes in a close second).
This is my starting time Rutherfurd and I'm now going dorsum to read more. Meticulously researched, personal and accurate — a kind of modern 24-hour interval Michener for those old plenty to think classics like Tales of the South Pacific, Hawaii, The Source, or Caravans. After reading this, I have a far more than in-depth understanding about the relationship between China and the Due west and of life in the 19th century.
...more
The book begins with the Opium War, which consisted of armed forces engagements between England and the Qin Dynasty (ofttimes referred to as the Manchurian dynasty.) This was fascinating to me inasmuch equally grand
Wonderful historical fiction of China from 1839 to 1901, Edward Rutherfurd's book is well researched, and the characters are an interesting mixture of players: from a eunuch in the court of the emperor, to an English opium trader; from a Chinese ceremonious servant to an English missionary, and many more.The volume begins with the Opium State of war, which consisted of military engagements between England and the Qin Dynasty (ofttimes referred to as the Manchurian dynasty.) This was fascinating to me inasmuch as my knowledge was limited about it.
The novel depicts the continual humiliation and exploitation of China by Europe and how the Chinese adapted.
My favorite part of the novel deals with the interactions betwixt Long Nail and Empress Dowager Cixi. Long Nail is a eunuch who is betrayed and and then redeemed as Cixi's manicurist.
I am looking forward to the next novel by Rutherfurd which is set during the 20th Century in China, including the rise of Mao and the Cultural Revolution!
...more than As with all of the author's books, this is a LONG volume. Well over 800 p I absolutely loved this book! Covering the menstruum from the Opium Wars through the Boxer Rebellion, the author made me feel like I was there. A wide diverseness of richly developed characters allow the reader to experience the events from multiple perspectives. The author follows history closely, using a mix of bodily and fictional people. Some of the characters you will love, some yous will despise, but they all add to the story.
As with all of the author's books, this is a LONG book. Well over 800 pages! I had a bit of difficulty getting into it at first. I had recently read "The Opium Lord'south Daughter" past Robert Wang, then much of the beginning seemed to be repetitive, simply and so Wow! Did the story always take off! I lost a lot of sleep, reading into the wee hours because I just could not put this book down!
A groovy, epic read! Highly highly recommend! ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prc | ii | xvi | Jul 25, 2021 08:12PM |
Edward has lived in London, New York, New Hampshire and Republic of ireland. He currently divides his time betwixt New England and Europe. He has two children.
Edward Rutherfurd is a Life Fellow member of the Friends of Salisbury Cathedral, the Salisbury Borough Club, and the Friends of Chawton House, which is located in Jane Austen's hamlet and dedicated to the study of women writers. He is as well a Patron of the National Theatre of Ireland (the Abbey Theatre) in Dublin.
In 2005, the City of Salisbury commemorated his services to the urban center by naming i of the streets leading off its medieval market place 'Rutherfurd Walk'.
...moreNews & Interviews
Welcome back. But a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.
shapirosanclaus1973.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36617542-china
0 Response to "London: the Novel Edward Rutherfurd Family Tree Ruth Pdf"
Publicar un comentario