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Liked It “An enthralling read, similar to Frank Herbert's Dune or George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones for the way it interleaves how events are perceived and manipulated by the different characters in the tale. Excellent stuff!” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“An enthralling read, similar to Frank Herbert's Dune or George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones for the way it interleaves how events are perceived and manipulated by the different characters in the tale. Excellent stuff!”
Andy Parkhill wrote this review Wednesday, April 11, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It's just excellent. The pidgin English some of the natives used was a little tiresome but not enough to detract from the experience. I wish every book could be this engrossing from beginning to end. I'm a little sad to have finished it actually, it's left a little hole in my day that I'm almost certain my next book choice won't come close to filling lol.”
Marserella wrote this review Saturday, January 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A great old literary romance that transports you to an exotic locale and into the hearts of two people from different worlds who fall in love.”
Ryder Islington wrote this review Thursday, November 3, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A superb book.”
Vishu wrote this review Monday, September 12, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A little tough to read with the pidgin English and limey accents.”
Bernard J. Patnode wrote this review Friday, August 5, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“good depth”
Ben W wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“James Clavell is one of my favorite authors for his historical fiction that is so rich in detail. Recommend all his books if you want to get a flavor of each country in a fictional context.”
David K wrote this review Tuesday, January 4, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Great great book.”
Robin A wrote this review Saturday, October 9, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Fantastic, a little slow to start, not much happens in the first 50 pages as the scene is set. Couldn't put it down once it really started, great ending.”
Anthony J wrote this review Friday, October 8, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I began reading the book shortly before the made-for-TV mini-series began to air. I tried the best I could to keep up with the book as the series was broadcast. I failed. I couldn’t keep up, try as I might. This man could write and everything of his I read was well worth the effort.
John of Corpus Christi wrote this review Sunday, September 5, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I learned not long ago he had died in the ‘80s there was a period when I didn’t own a TV, so I suppose I didn’t hear of his death at the time. His name popped into my head and I wondered why I hadn’t heard of him in years, death is an acceptable excuse. We lost a great writer.
There is a series of books by him about Hong Kong. I read them many years ago long before Britain handed the area back to the Chinese. The English had a 99 year lease on the City of Hong Kong which expired in 1989 I think. These books, while being novels, tell the story of how Hong Kong became one of the largest centers of finance in the world. Clavell seems to understand a great deal of what makes its people, not just the Chinese but other Asians as well, “inscrutable” to the western mind and capably explains those mysteries to us. Many feared the Chinese would alter the cultural and business traditions of this unique city. Instead, I am inclined to think Hong Kong changed China. I think history will point to the change of control for the city as what provided the impetus for the major change the Chinese have made; from a strictly communist state to what it has become in recent years; a country among the leaders in free markets. Not so many years ago the idea of a person creating personal wealth would have warranted a lengthy prison sentence. How the world has changed.
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