A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 23rd of April 2024
5 out of 5 stars
Tony Henderson’s The Shanghai Circle isn’t just historical fiction; it’s a total body dive into the authentically haunting cauldron of 1930s Shanghai. Henderson crafts a multi-layered narrative that weaves together the stories of three unforgettable characters: the great-hearted Davina Guest, the head of a British trading empire; Joseph Cheung, a Chinese triad armed with a burning vengeance; and Irina, a young, frail White Russian who spends her life between the bullets and the exploitation of others.
The novel’s strength comes from its ability to be both focused and global. You see the grandeur and ferocity of powerful business dealers in the ballrooms of international elites. But you don’t escape to the gloomy back alleys, where criminals are dominant. Henderson does not hide the city’s darkest side, showing life as it is in places like drug dens and human trafficking. This untarnished rendering gives even more heft to the characters’ quest, which makes their struggle for survival that much more spellbinding.
The book tells the story from different points of view that create a multi-faceted picture. Davina, who outclassed those who calibrated her against their tone, attracts respect with her extremely intelligent mind and firmness. Joseph is hunting for a tragedy from the past. This character is complex, and his cruelty is qualified by a grain of humanity. Irina’s predicament, though, touches the chords of our emotions, drawing our attention to the vulnerability people can potentially experience when power struggles ensue.
The Shanghai Circle has some drawbacks as well. The speedy tempo results in the character development being somewhat missing, and some of the plot threads feel less developed than others. I will give this book 5 out of 5 stars, as it is truly a great story. I had a few minor quibbles, but the editing was very good. Henderson’s painstakingly detailed historical research creates an authentic atmosphere and provides readers with the sensation of being on the brink of a massive war. I have nothing to dislike.
This first novel elaborates insightfully on ambition, loyalty, and victims’ tolls, which lead to a city on the verge of a fall. The historical fiction book titled The Shanghai Circle, with its intricate web of characters, captivating setting, and plot as wandering as the convoluted alleys of Shanghai itself, is a literary work that has to be read by lovers of historical adventures that are remembered long after the last page is successfully turned.