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The novel has a tighter scope, time-wise, than his usual canvas, which allows for in-depth exploration of an overarching theme: China’s subjugation by Western powers, particularly Britain.
Taking the long view, Rutherfurd adeptly dramatizes the impact of and fallout from major events, including the Taiping Rebellion and the destruction of Beijing’s Summer Palace. His characters, among them British merchants, missionaries, Chinese government officials, peasants, pirates, and an artisan who rises high in service at the imperial palace through unusual means, assert their individuality while embodying beliefs on different sides of China’s internal and external conflicts.
The protagonists are predominantly men, but many fascinating women also feature in the story. Though the first third feels overly drawn-out, the novel takes an entertaining, educational journey through China’s rich and complex history, geography, art, and diverse cultures across a tumultuous epoch.
Edward Rutherfurd's China was published by Doubleday this May in the US, and I wrote this review (based on a PDF sent to me) for Booklist. The novel is 800pp long, and these days I find longer books easier to read in electronic form, so the PDF worked just fine. Your mileage may vary, though, and I have most of Rutherfurd's earlier novels in hardcover. My favorite among his work is The Princes of Ireland, the first in his two-book Dublin saga.
I read and enjoyed Rutherfurd's "Sarum" in my pre-Goodreads days, so not sure when. 912 pages! And although I wanted to read "Paris" I recently took it off my TBR due to its length. Maybe I should set a two doorstoppers a year challenge so I can get back to his books, "China" sounds so interesting!
ReplyDeleteParis is one I haven't read yet. It's always hard to find the time for super-long books... although I'm especially interested in pre-20th century Paris and should make time for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this book. My daughter has been living in China off and on since 2010 and is finally coming home for good. She has to quarantine and I was thinking about getting this book for her to read. It sounds so interesting. I know what you mean about big books and PDFs. Even though I have the book, that's how I'm reading A Sitting in St. James. So much easier.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it and learned a lot, especially with the timeline of historical events and how one event led to another over the course of the century. I hope your daughter enjoys it - it would be interesting to hear her perspective, after having lived in China for so long.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to reading A Sitting in St. James - it sounds like a must-read.