A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 23rd of April 2024
4 out of 5 stars
Tony Henderson’s “The Shanghai Circle” transports readers to 1936 Shanghai, a city where triads rule the streets, conflict looms, and lives unexpectedly entwined. In a world full of danger and intrigue, Davina, Joseph, and Irina navigate against the backdrop of an imminent invasion and political unrest. Amid the tumult, Davina, a strong young lady, has to take charge of running her family’s trading house as Joseph struggles with personal grudges and the expectations of his Triad background. As Irina, a Russian immigrant, flees to Shanghai, she falls victim to the Triads’ clutches. They have to face the difficulties of survival as well as the nuances of loyalty, treachery, and atonement as their paths come together.
“The Shanghai Circle” excels because it paints a vivid, in-depth picture of Shanghai in the 1930s. From the busy streets to the dark underbelly of the Triads, Henderson skillfully evokes the mood of the time. The narrative gains depth and complexity from the well-drawn characters, each of whom has secrets and reasons of their own. As alliances are put to the test and secrets are revealed, the reader is kept interested by the interwoven stories. The historical context illuminates a turbulent time in Chinese history and provides another level of intrigue.
The book is notable for its examination of issues including identity, power, and survival. Three interesting storylines that give the novel depth are Davina’s fight to be heard in a world where men rule, Joseph’s search for atonement, and Irina’s search for identity. With lots of twists and turns and a fast pace, readers will be kept guessing right up to the very end. Henderson writes in a fluid, polished style that makes for an overall pleasurable reading experience.
“The Shanghai Circle” does have many shortcomings, nevertheless, which lessen its overall impact. Although generally fast-paced, there are moments when it feels hurried, especially in the midst of the narrative. Furthermore, there may be some smoothing involved in the way the many plotlines transition; at times, they feel jarring and disconnected. These problems keep the book from living up to its full potential and could disappoint some readers.
The editing of “The Shanghai Circle” is incredibly well done. The fact that I found no typos or grammatical mistakes while reading speaks much about the author’s attention to detail. Because of the flawless editing process, the narrative flows naturally from beginning to end. All things considered, “The Shanghai Circle” is an engrossing historical fiction book that provides an intriguing look into the intricate world of Shanghai in the 1930s. Fans of the genre will find it to be a well-written and captivating read, even with a few small issues with the pacing and transitions. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.