Customer Reviews

Manchu

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For what it is, _Manchu_ does an ok job. But it has a ton of historical inaccuracies and even some internal inconsistencies (like One-Eyed Li being called One Eyed _before_ he loses his eye in besieging Kaifeng!). It's pure fluff and enjoyable in a cheesy sort of way. But _Shogun_ it ain't. And I found the representations of the three women in the book extremely shallow and one-dimensional, and Francis' relations to them uproariously funny in their insubstantiality. Do yourself a favor and search out some more substantial fare about Ming/Qing China if you have the chance--the real story is every whit as gripping as this fictional account, and far more rewarding. Try _The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci_ for more on the Jesuits, or any other book by Jonathan Spence for that matter--he's first rate.

I realy enjoyed this book. It had a lot of Chinese history. I would read part of the book and check out the history on the internet. I really got into it. It was interesting while I was reading the book the Porcheries gave back Machu back to the Chinese. I would recoment this book for anyone who is into Chinese history. I remember when the Chinese ask all the missionaries to leave there country. I didn't realize how long missionaries were in China.

Follows the tired formula of plonking an English protagonist at the centre of great events in an 'oriental' society, in this case China during the last years of the Ming dynasty (early 1600's). Cycles through old stereotypes of Eastern eroticism, cruelty and deviousness. Unsurprisingly the historicity and characters are shallow and don't approach Clavell's 'Shogun', although it's better than Alan Savage's 'Eight Banners' (also set in China). On balance, passable entertainment for a rainy day. Just remember you're reading fiction and not history.

Have you ever been in the medieval China? No? So, whay not going there along with the author. You will experience an adventure of a genuine (in the historic sense) politthriller, with some romanticism, exotic eroticism, and quite a bit of cultural learning - that to a Westerner might still today be of value. If you appreciate a colorful weaving of historical facts with a vivid, exciting story - or the other way around - you'll be enjoying reading this book. It can easily occur to you that you will have recalled some picturesque passages even years later - an impact on readers effectuated only by a real masterpiece.

This is one of the most engaging and entertaining books I've read in a long time. It is the story of a foriegner's life in China at the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. It's an incredibly detailed and believable world. The only problem is that the Chinese names are spelled strangely and are sometimes hard to recognize. Buy it!!!!