A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 11th of May 2024
5 out of 5 stars
Tony Henderson’s “The Shanghai Circle” introduces us to a landscape of 1930s Shanghai on the edge of great upheavals. With a variety of characters and a detailed background, Henderson narrates a story of survival and betrayal. Within the shadow of war, the Shanghai Circle offers a plot of danger and new combinations. In this way, by taking the reader through the intricacies of place and time, the novel provides a simply fascinating journey.
The core of the story is that every character has his or her own desire or problem. Davina Guest tries to help her family business survive under the pressure of the time, and Joseph Cheung wants to follow the way of the light rather than the shadow, as his family did. This idea impresses not only the fact of the realness of human feelings and doubts about family but also full characters, beginning with small servants and spies and ending with the top people, as well as the complicity of relationships between all these characters. Such attention to detail makes the book interesting to read from the beginning to the end.
Henderson’s vivid prose makes the vibrant streets of 1930s Shanghai truly alive and activates the city in all its bustling markets, lavish mansions, and dark alleys. a detailed description of the triads’ ruthless activities and the disturbing lives of the trapped citizens. From the wealthy’s amazing houses to the awful residents of the infernal Triad, the author uncovers every inch of the city, absolutely immersing readers in the incredible, contrasting, and memorable metropolis, where all is filled with unimaginable smells, a variety of sounds, and bright colors.
The book has several strong points, among which are a number of vivid and multi-dimensional characters. As an example, Joseph struggles against the burden of his family’s history and a set of personal moral principles. Meanwhile, Davina tries to resist the pressure of society and demonstrate her perseverance and determination to the world. Besides, Irina Donsky and other supporting characters contribute to the creation of a compelling and suspenseful storyline. The book’s name and cover are super attractive.
While the book’s pacing is generally brisk and the plot twists keep readers guessing, some may find the narrative structure fragmented, with multiple storylines competing for attention. Additionally, while the book tackles sensitive themes such as violence and betrayal with sensitivity, some readers may find certain scenes disturbing.
Another drawback for me was that the book started without an index or chapter title. I usually like to read the index first to get a better idea of the book. The book contains profane language and sexual content, so it may not be suitable for younger readers.
Overall, “The Shanghai Circle” is a masterfully crafted historical thriller that offers a gripping glimpse into a tumultuous period in Chinese history. There was nothing that I disliked about the book. It is exceptionally well-edited. There were no grammatical errors. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 star.