A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 13th April 2024
5 out of 5 stars
Before the invasion of Shanghai at the hands of the Japanese in 1937, the city was renowned for its focus on business, vibrant nightlife culture, and status as a melting pot of multiple cultures. Utilizing the backdrop of the city and the events that unfolded between 1936 and 1937, “The Shanghai Circle (Chinese Circles, Book One)” by Tony Henderson recounts the stories of four main characters and how their lives were altered during that period.
The story is primarily told through two different perspectives: the fast-paced and bustling life of the trading companies, where we encounter Thomas Mathers, a young English trainee assigned to work for the Guest Company, one of the most prominent trading firms, and Davina Guest, daughter of Charles Guest, who is being groomed by her father to succeed him and become the first female director of a trading company. On the other hand, we delve into the danger and corruption of the triads, Chinese organizations involved in illegal activities (predominantly related to drugs). Here, we meet Joseph Pak-ho, son of Cheung Pak-ho, leader of the Sung Society, the second most influential triad in the city, and Irina Donsky, a solitary Russian immigrant who becomes entangled with the Sung triad. Throughout the book, we become acquainted with each of these characters, their flaws, their virtues, and their aspirations. We witness how their lives are transformed on various levels in response not only to the social and political climate of the city but also due to their own decisions and the consequences.
The author does a wonderful job of immersing these fictional characters during historical events that occurred in Shanghai and Hong Kong, providing readers with the opportunity to glean some world history while following the characters’ lives. I found it intriguing to learn that the author based this book on his own experiences, having lived in Shanghai for several years while working within the trading system. This explains how he was able to capture the essence of the city and its business environment flawlessly through his narrative.
I must confess that I was initially hesitant to read this book as it is not my favorite genre, but the author did a commendable job of seamlessly blending history with fiction and crafting characters that undergo a truly discernible evolution throughout the story. As the first installment in a series, the ending adequately hints at what is to come in the story and leaves the reader with just the right amount of curiosity to delve into the next part. I found nothing to dislike about the book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is very well edited, and its short chapters facilitate swift and engaging reading, as I relished the reading experience and the world presented by the author. Because of this, I wholeheartedly rate this book five out of five stars.