China Gate

by William Arnold

A childhood refugee of the separation of Taiwan from China, Bryan White journeys from the leadership of an American teenage gang in Taiwan to control of a vast, powerful, corrupt, and influential business empire

Genres: Fiction

493 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1983

Reviews

[Philip]

This may have been "long banned in Taiwan and mainland China" - but if so, it wasn't because it was controversial, it's because it is just so BLOODY STUPID. That said, China Gate, would be an unintentionally hilarious read for anyone who actually went to the Taipei American School (as my two sons did). TAS kids do not go on from there to become "the most powerful man in Asia" or a gangster of any kind; they go on to be successful engineers and doctors and lawyers.

One has to hope that Arnold wrote this with tongue firmly in cheek, because otherwise the very idea that a 16-year-old high school kid would be "the liaison between the American government on Taiwan and the Taiwanese underworld" can only be the sad fever dream of a young author trying to make attending an international school WAY cooler than it really is, or the work of James Clavell at age 12.

The only other Goodreads books listed under any "William Arnold" are a biography of Frances Farmer, a book on John Keats' poetry, a guide to UNIX text editing and Water Chemistry: An Introduction to the Chemistry of Natural and Engineered Aquatic Systems - so let's hope this was Arnold's one and only diversion into fiction.

[Linda]

I had to start this book twice because I just couldn't get into it. Once I did, I loved it. It is the only book I have ever read with the story of Taiwan, before, during and after the Vietnam war. I would like to know if any of it is true. It certainly seems real.

[Sam Brunsell]

Phenomenal story - great insight and written in an entertaining but informative way

[Robert Colquhoun]

Admittedly not well versed in the 20th century history of south-east Asia, I'm intrigued as to how much of this story is based on historical fact. This intrigue is what kept me interested. Otherwise, it was somewhat dry and slow. I was disappointed with the conclusion. It seemed like Mr. Arnold got tired of writing it and just decided to shut it down. Either that or, it comes across as though he planned to write a sequel.
Certainly a well-researched and well-written novel, with noticeable personal insight from Mr. Arnold (I was not surprised to read about William Arnold's background and his ties to Taiwan).

[Judy Nesbit]

I read this while travelling in Taiwan and loved it. An engrossing thriller centred on a gang started in Taipei American School and linked with the Chinese underworld and the American government. Even more appealing to me was the alternative but feasible take on Asian history in the 1970s.

[Al]

An interesting novel tracing the emergence of Taiwan after the end of WWII and its economic emergence in the 1960s and '70s.

[Marni]

This is a novel about the relations between Taiwan (Chinese Nationalists) and the US starting in 1947. I'm guessing that at least some of it is based on actual happenings. It is disturbing, but not unbelievable.

[Kat]

This was a great peek into an era in history that still evokes strong emotions in so many, but it's a story told from a different perspective. Really well written.

[Charlie Buxton]

Good story giving picture of Taiwan from expatriate point of view。