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China Coast Trilogy #1
Shanghai
An epic New York Times bestseller chronicling the rise of a Taipan.
John Denton lands in famed Shanghai in 1903, a young customs officer newly assigned. A "griffin," green and inexperienced, he struggles to adapt to the roiling city. Tailors live and sleep on the floor of their employers' shops, and onlookers dip money in the blood of freshly beheaded pirates to make the bills lucky. The life teeming in the city's narrow streets and grand boulevards is beyond exotic. Shanghai's fascinations are of another world. Denton, the expatriate, thrives in China and remains, acquiring wealth and power, children, a mistress. Shanghai claims him, body and soul.
This epic novel spans the most volatile decades of China's existence and reveals to us its amazingly cosmopolitan heart. Shanghai was an international bestseller and is available again for the first time in a decade.
John Denton lands in famed Shanghai in 1903, a young customs officer newly assigned. A "griffin," green and inexperienced, he struggles to adapt to the roiling city. Tailors live and sleep on the floor of their employers' shops, and onlookers dip money in the blood of freshly beheaded pirates to make the bills lucky. The life teeming in the city's narrow streets and grand boulevards is beyond exotic. Shanghai's fascinations are of another world. Denton, the expatriate, thrives in China and remains, acquiring wealth and power, children, a mistress. Shanghai claims him, body and soul.
This epic novel spans the most volatile decades of China's existence and reveals to us its amazingly cosmopolitan heart. Shanghai was an international bestseller and is available again for the first time in a decade.
811 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 28, 1985
21 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Christopher New
149 books27 followersEducated at Oxford and Princeton, I have taught philosophy in England and Hong Kong, where I was for some years Head of the Philosophy Department in Hong Kong University. Equally at home in East and West, I now divide my time between the two. My novels are set in China, India, Egypt and Europe.
I think too many western novelists are concerned only with their own small corner of the western world, as if that was the centre of everything. It isn't.
I think too many western novelists are concerned only with their own small corner of the western world, as if that was the centre of everything. It isn't.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 3, 2012
Have you ever read a book that, when you are done, you just can't seem to let it go and move on to something else? This book was like that. So rich in history and culture. But what surprised me was that, even though he was a man, I so identified with the main character. The author so exquisitely painted the passages through life that, where ever you find yourself, you can identify with John Denton at that stage. I feel as though I knew him personally and felt a loss at his passing. I wonder about the grandson he was raising, about his surviving children. And I want to know more about China. Truely great book.
September 14, 2014
A fantastic epic of Shanghai in the 20th century - like a Chinese equivalent of Doctor Zhivago. I will definitely go on to read volumes 2 and 3 in the China Coast Trilogy.
May 17, 2009
The blurb on the book said" In the tradition of Shogun". Well, like Shogun this is a huge, historical novel set in Asia, but in China, not Japan.
The hero John Denton is much different from Blackthorn; he is more passive, not an adventurer as much as an observer. He does not "do" much; things happen to him. I find him a bit too passive--not a strong lead character. Also, the first 300 pages or so are from his viewpoint. Later, when scens are shown from the viewpoints of other characters, I beleive it improves the story.
But the acutually "star" of this book is China. This books covers the time from 1903 until just after the Second Wrold War. A pivotal time in China's history---the Manchu dynasty was overthrown; Dr. Sun Yatsen was elected President; attemts to begin mordernization; then the growing Japanses influence in the late 1930's; then the War, then the rise of Communism. The story is very well told,
It is packed with interesting characters, both major and mior. The historical details are accurate as far as I can tell. The atmosphere and sense of place is especially good. Bascially, it is a really good compelling read. It is quite long---but for me it never dragged.
If you like historical fiction, this book is for YOU.
Techni9cal NOte---the Book title is "Shanghai"---it is listed as "Shanghai-p"---beleive the P means paperback but I did not know how to re-list it.
The hero John Denton is much different from Blackthorn; he is more passive, not an adventurer as much as an observer. He does not "do" much; things happen to him. I find him a bit too passive--not a strong lead character. Also, the first 300 pages or so are from his viewpoint. Later, when scens are shown from the viewpoints of other characters, I beleive it improves the story.
But the acutually "star" of this book is China. This books covers the time from 1903 until just after the Second Wrold War. A pivotal time in China's history---the Manchu dynasty was overthrown; Dr. Sun Yatsen was elected President; attemts to begin mordernization; then the growing Japanses influence in the late 1930's; then the War, then the rise of Communism. The story is very well told,
It is packed with interesting characters, both major and mior. The historical details are accurate as far as I can tell. The atmosphere and sense of place is especially good. Bascially, it is a really good compelling read. It is quite long---but for me it never dragged.
If you like historical fiction, this book is for YOU.
Techni9cal NOte---the Book title is "Shanghai"---it is listed as "Shanghai-p"---beleive the P means paperback but I did not know how to re-list it.
February 13, 2013
About halfway through this one, what a pleasure to read so far! Can't wait to see what happens in it next, for me that is a sure sign of a well-written book!
I really enjoyed this. Every time it felt like the story was just gonna roll around using tried and true plot lines something totally unexpected would get thrown in and that really kept my curiosity piqued to the end of the book.
I really enjoyed this. Every time it felt like the story was just gonna roll around using tried and true plot lines something totally unexpected would get thrown in and that really kept my curiosity piqued to the end of the book.
January 2, 2012
Outstanding and captivated me until the end...they don't write them like this anymore and publishers ceratinly don't publish them.
A saga that sweeps from 1900 to 1945 with a cast of family characters that are British and Chinese.
As a story, it enegages you with a lower middle class man who is sympathtic but not weak and tough but not a bully ( rare) and is admirable in the stands he takes but yet they are understandable and in period unlike so many books that take today's moral judgements. His path from rags to riches and the hurdles he overcomes wins you over until you root for him at the horrid end...with some happiness...so it is like life.
This is a book of real people, many flawed, and although I thought at first it was too lomg, New keeps the plot going and I was sad to end it and read it night by night.
As history is also teaches you much about the period without lecturing.
Just a super work of art and very readable.
A saga that sweeps from 1900 to 1945 with a cast of family characters that are British and Chinese.
As a story, it enegages you with a lower middle class man who is sympathtic but not weak and tough but not a bully ( rare) and is admirable in the stands he takes but yet they are understandable and in period unlike so many books that take today's moral judgements. His path from rags to riches and the hurdles he overcomes wins you over until you root for him at the horrid end...with some happiness...so it is like life.
This is a book of real people, many flawed, and although I thought at first it was too lomg, New keeps the plot going and I was sad to end it and read it night by night.
As history is also teaches you much about the period without lecturing.
Just a super work of art and very readable.
May 30, 2023
A well written history of Shanghai, China during the first half of the 1900s as seen through the life of John Denton, an Englishman who arrives in Shanghai in 1903 and lives through Chinese internal wars, WWI and II, and the Communist takeover after WWII. John falls in love with a Chinese actress, but then marries an American woman, who ends up hating affection with a man. A divorce ensues and John marries his Chinese lover. Great discrimination results against John.
This is book one of a Trilogy and it is a long one. Book 2 will be very short and will be reading it next. It will have entirely separate characters while book 3 will return to Denton's offspring.
This is book one of a Trilogy and it is a long one. Book 2 will be very short and will be reading it next. It will have entirely separate characters while book 3 will return to Denton's offspring.
May 15, 2013
EPIC!!!!
Want to read
October 14, 2014Great details and descriptions - really made you feel like you were there... ultimately it didn't grab my attention story-wise (despite the mystery) enough to want to go beyond the preview...
October 21, 2022
Mr. New made an unbelievable story believable. “Shanghai” held my attention on every page throughout the book.
Denton, a young and poor and naïve English man, came to Shanghai to work as a low ranking custom officer in 1903. He lived in Shanghai for the rest of his life, during that period Shanghai went through from imperialism to European concession to Japan occupancy to communist. Danton eventually became a taipan and a famous person in social and political circle in Shanghai. He fell into love with Shanghai, the city and the culture. He married a local woman which was very rare those days.
In New’s opinion Shanghai was a great place but Chinese people there were humiliated by foreigners and Shanghai was tortured by Japanese then wasted by communist.
Most streets names and locations were real. (That made me homesick).
A few things were confused Shanghai with Hong Kong.
The book cover was terrible. The artist probably never read the book.
Denton, a young and poor and naïve English man, came to Shanghai to work as a low ranking custom officer in 1903. He lived in Shanghai for the rest of his life, during that period Shanghai went through from imperialism to European concession to Japan occupancy to communist. Danton eventually became a taipan and a famous person in social and political circle in Shanghai. He fell into love with Shanghai, the city and the culture. He married a local woman which was very rare those days.
In New’s opinion Shanghai was a great place but Chinese people there were humiliated by foreigners and Shanghai was tortured by Japanese then wasted by communist.
Most streets names and locations were real. (That made me homesick).
A few things were confused Shanghai with Hong Kong.
The book cover was terrible. The artist probably never read the book.
August 9, 2011
Just finished this very large book. I enjoyed it almost as much as I did Shogun by James Clavell. Same sort of comparison of European culture with Asian culture in this case, China in early 1900's. The book did a great job of giving equal attention to fleshing out the characters as well as the historical events in a very turbulent time in China's history. A great book for anyone who likes historical fiction populated with believable characters.
November 20, 2021
I read this book on the recommendation of a friend who loved it, I didn't. I stuck with it until the end but at parts, I found it a bind.
Parts of the storyline were so obvious to me, (I won't add spoilers) some parts obviously were not.
The book started well and I really enjoyed it, then the introduction of some characters really changed the storyline and I struggled to keep going I found it monotonous in parts. It picked up a little but I also found the end very dissapointing. A long book to stay with when not really enjoying it.
On the plus side, the history of China at the time was interesting and some insights into the culture.
Parts of the storyline were so obvious to me, (I won't add spoilers) some parts obviously were not.
The book started well and I really enjoyed it, then the introduction of some characters really changed the storyline and I struggled to keep going I found it monotonous in parts. It picked up a little but I also found the end very dissapointing. A long book to stay with when not really enjoying it.
On the plus side, the history of China at the time was interesting and some insights into the culture.
August 3, 2022
I loved this book. Loved the story, the history - everything. I was enthralled.
August 10, 2023
My copy of this book is from 1986 (I try to buy many of my books from 2nd hand stores, online, and is "used but in good condition"). However, the print size is very small so I shall see if I can find a more recent publication (I believe there's a 2005 publication which I shall try to locate). Meanwhile, I shall continue reading this excellent story, very slowly! I'll keep you posted. 👓😣
Well, I obtained a better edition (Orchid Pavilion Hong Kong 5th printing 2005) & around £6 including postage & I confirm that this story makes for reading that is holding me. So much so that I've also ordered the next 2 books of the trilogy!
Shanghai, early 1900s when the British presence (& the French, German, et al) were making a great deal of money there. It is a time of upheaval as China wrests control back to themselves. It's a powerful story set against the background of a world being turned upside down!
BRILLIANT! I can't wait to read the next book of the trilogy "The Chinese Box".
Well, I obtained a better edition (Orchid Pavilion Hong Kong 5th printing 2005) & around £6 including postage & I confirm that this story makes for reading that is holding me. So much so that I've also ordered the next 2 books of the trilogy!
Shanghai, early 1900s when the British presence (& the French, German, et al) were making a great deal of money there. It is a time of upheaval as China wrests control back to themselves. It's a powerful story set against the background of a world being turned upside down!
BRILLIANT! I can't wait to read the next book of the trilogy "The Chinese Box".
December 10, 2013
A young Englishman arrives in China as a customs official in 1903. The books follows his life as he witnesses several major events as they occur in China. He ultimately ends up spending his entire life in this land that he adopts as his own.
I have seen this book compared to "Tai Pan" and "Shogun" by James Clavell, but there is no comparison . . . don't expect similarities. The Clavell books are high adventure with superb character development while this book is less exciting and, for its length, lacking a bit in character development. All that said, I rather enjoyed the book, almost bringing a tear to my eyes in the last 5-10 pages.
I have seen this book compared to "Tai Pan" and "Shogun" by James Clavell, but there is no comparison . . . don't expect similarities. The Clavell books are high adventure with superb character development while this book is less exciting and, for its length, lacking a bit in character development. All that said, I rather enjoyed the book, almost bringing a tear to my eyes in the last 5-10 pages.
June 17, 2020
I found the story interesting in regard to the description of the city itself and the lives of the various people who inhabited it. It was an interesting time in history and I had no idea what life in Shanghai was like then. I loved the character of Su Mei. Denton was not a sympathetic character, in my opinion. He was emotionally detached from people, even his own children, he did not have close friends, and seemed to be just going through the motions most of the time - pulled along by the tide of events.
In 2020, I was drawn to re-read this book for some reason. I enjoyed it a little more than the first time, but still rate it 3 stars.
In 2020, I was drawn to re-read this book for some reason. I enjoyed it a little more than the first time, but still rate it 3 stars.
February 22, 2016
A great read - really captivating all the way through! It kept my attention and interest and the characters have still stayed with me a week after finishing the book
March 25, 2009
I really liked it, but I love period novels and was fascinated with chinese culture
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews