A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 28th of April 2024
4 out of 5 stars
Within this narrative, the setting primarily focuses on the historically significant city of Shanghai. The author delves into the contentious issue of racial diversity within a society striving to thrive amid fierce competition with other urban centers. A central theme in the story is the rivalry between the East and West, which seems to be ingrained from one generation to another. Cheung Pak-ho is an individual tasked with safeguarding his family and business empire. His main desire is to pass down his legacy to his son, Joseph, a duty that entails sharing all the secrets from the past and plans for the future. As a member of the Sung Triad Society, adherence to stringent rules and regulations is mandatory. However, Joseph’s aspiration to establish his worth in his father’s eyes leads to a dilemma where tough decisions must be made.
The Shanghai Circle by Tony Henderson introduces us to a set of degraded morals and values intertwined with adventurous mindsets. In this setting, activities such as commercial sex, drug abuse, and exploitation determine who thrives and who does not. The character James exemplifies how the wealthy exploit the needy to uphold power and status. On the other hand, Irina grapples with the repercussions of civil war which compel her to compromise her principles for a better future. Cheung underscores that business in Shanghai operates under ‘protection’ and the ability to adapt to dynamic market demands and changes. He narrates a harrowing experience involving his father and brother, which spurred his quest for revenge against the Guest family. However, Du Yueh-sheng has his plans for Cheung, I invite you to uncover his fate!
Tony blends true historical events with fictional characters, resulting in an engaging storyline. One notable aspect is the clash between the Chinese and Japanese in the year 1937. As Hong Kong grappled with adverse weather conditions, Shanghai endured a series of devastating bombing raids that resulted in numerous causalities and fatalities. Fundamental rights of human beings were violated, and social and economic stabilities were paralyzed. Through rich descriptions and vivid imagery, the author paints a clear picture of each scene, immersing the reader in a firsthand experience. The character Alice elicits sympathy as her safety and efficiency are compromised by another life. The story’s triumphant conclusion offers a sense of relief, easing the reader’s heightened tension throughout the narrative.
I like how the relationship between Davina and his father is depicted. Charles empowers and entrusts her with responsibilities in a field dominated by men. Additionally, the difference between taipans and compradors is well highlighted. However, this book has two flaws. The first one is the presence of heavy sexual content which limits the age of people who can read it. Second, the book has a lot of chilling scenes like rape which may be unbearable for some readers. I would recommend the inclusion of a trigger warning of the presence of such content to protect vulnerable readers.
The editing team did well; I encountered zero errors while reading. I hereby rate this book four out of five stars because of the dislikes mentioned above. I recommend it to lovers of books based on historical fiction.