This novel is an excellent and enjoyable way to learn about the struggle between the Ming and Manchu dynasties in the first half of the XVII Century, as well as about the role played by the Jesuits in China during that time. The author was an expert on the Far East, as well as a highly respected journalist at a time when journalism was still a serious profession. His descriptions of the events and mores of the Chinese and Manchus (aka as Tartars) may offend those brought up in the pc culture, but they are genuine - that is how it was in China in the 1600's. It is also true, that a small number of Europeans, at that time Portuguese soldiers and Jesuits of various nationalities, could and did have an enormous influence on events.
This book could stand on its own as a popular history of 50 years of Chinese history, but being a novel, it has certainly reached a wider readership.
As a novel, the book has many turns, and its protagonist has the proverbial nine lives, as well as three wives, etc. Seems fantastic, but stranger things have happened in the China of the XVII Century. Personally, I found some of the internal monologues excessive, but they are useful as a way to describe the intellectual issues of the time - a period of great religious conflict in Europe. After all, the 30 Years War ended only in 1648, and the had affects even in China.
I gave this book five stars more because of its value for learning than for amusement, pleasant as it was. as other reviewers noted, this is not Shogun (which I greatly enjoyed, but this book is shorter and it imparts more.
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memo
never got around to read it BUT lovely looking: Robert Elegant is a wonderful writer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2019