A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 1st of May 2024
5 out of 5 stars
The Shanghai Circle by Tony Henderson is historical fiction based around the state of Shanghai in the 1930s that tells us the stories of three sets of people, all in Shanghai, who are connected in one way or another. It zooms in specifically on Davina Guest, the daughter of the taipan of a major Shanghai-based British company; Joseph Cheung, heir to a powerful triad throne; Thomas Mathers, a young British man about to begin a new chapter in his life; and Irina, a young Russian woman with ties, or should I say chains, to one of the most dangerous triads in Shanghai.
The novel is said to be the first book in a series, The Chinese Circles, and I anticipate reading the other novels in the series. The plot is very interesting, educating us and bringing us closer to the events and frenzy that took place between 1936 and 1937 just before the invasion of the Japanese in Shanghai. Still, I believe that’s not all Henderson wants to show us through this novel. We also come to personal terms with each of our main characters and follow them as they navigate their lives amid the chaos.
I love the storyline. I feel close to the main characters and feel the pain, confusion, and happiness they each go through in the novel. I also like that Henderson made sure to embark on good research so he could paint the actual state Shanghai was in, or something close to it, not just from an outside view but really from inside the streets and roads of Shanghai. I feel we can connect with Shanghai’s residents in that trying time through this book, and I am pleased about that.
The expertise and effort put into this book are shown by how meticulously it was edited and structured, making it flow smoothly for me.
I do not remember disliking anything about the book. It is superb work that Henderson should be proud of.
Overall, I give The Shanghai Circle by Tony Henderson a 5 out of 5 stars rating. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. I believe it won’t be a decision you’ll regret.