The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China (facsimile of the 1880 English translation) [Paperback]

Jules Verne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2001

Kin-Fo, a well to do Chinese man living in Shang-Hai, is accused by his good friend Wang of not having had any discomforts in his life that would make him appreciate true happiness. When Kin-Fo, receives news that his fortune is lost, he arranges for an insurance policy to be taken out on his life that would cover his death, even by suicide; which he is planning on committing. When Kin-Fo can't bring himself to end his own life, he contracts Wang to do it, by even giving him a letter that will exonerate him of the deed. Then Wang disappears and then Kin-Fo feels much discomfort, especially when he is informed that his fortunes are not lost. He travels around China, hoping to avoid being murdered before the contract expires. His discomfort increases when a note from Wang arrives saying that he regrets not being able to fulfill the contract, so he has turned it over to his old friend Lao-Shen, a notorious character.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: International Law & Taxation (2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589631994
• ISBN-13: 978-1589631991
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,609,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars charming tale of modern china in the mid 19th century, August 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tribulations of a Chinaman in China (facsimile of the 1880 English translation) (Paperback)

Jules Verne always had a warm spot for Americans and the Chinese. This picaresque tale of a young man of leisure who decides to end his life at the hands of his old tutor gives a picture of life in China in Verne's day. Character development was never Verne's strong point, and his work was often seriously diluted by his translator Mercier (Merciless) Lewis, but Verne's research and sense of story carry us along with our hero, his two Pinkerton guards, and a host of others from one end of the empire to the other.

To get the most out of this book, remember when it was written, and pay attention to the details that Verne uses to give the reader a sense of place, and for us, a sense of the times. Alternatively, you can just follow the story with its twists and turns and clever escapades.

2.0 out of 5 stars Missing pages, July 27, 2008

By 

LRI (DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tribulations Of A Chinaman In China (Hardcover)

A good Verne travel story, but be aware that the Kessinger publication is missing two pages. (I had to go to the Library of Congress to find them.)