A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 21st of January 2024

4 out of 5 stars

The Shanghai- Circle by TONY HENDERSON. This is one of historical books which will make you glued on it to the end. The author starts by narrating the shun triad gang. This gang is led by Cheung Pak-ho. He is the father to joseph. He tries to show his son how he should be firm in making decision. The gang execute a man claimed to have been sleeping with someone’s else wife. The book revolves on revenge and fight for power no matter the situation. Unfortunately, the story end in a horrific way. Joseph’s father is forced to take his own life due to his son’s mistake. The Japanese invades Shanghai killing many people.

I find this book so thrilling. The author has tried to use vivid description of everything happening. I am amused by joseph’s father for accepting to lose everything and taking his own life just to save his son’s life. This shows the sacrifice that a parent can make to save his or her child. Most of the characters in this book, can do anything just to succeed in life. Joseph is so ambitious though his quest for power cost his father’s life. People like Thomas and James are so busy trying to be successful in business.

The author however, has shown how women were being treated during the olden days. Irina, Samantha and Kristina, have been used for sexual pleasure by men and they are treated like whores. These women are just trying to make it in life but they don’t have any other way out apart from selling their bodies to get money. I find this so heartbreaking. Everybody has a right to be treated well. The invasion by the Japanese also is so annoying. Why should people kill others just to show their strength?.

There are no errors in this book. There is a lot of profane language. Sexual content is too strong in this book. For the ratings I give it a 4 out of 5. This is due to the author’s creativity he has tried as much as possible to make the story so interesting I love it.

I recommend this book people who are ambitious in life who are willing to do anything in order to make it in life.