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Night in Shanghai
In this stunningly researched novel, Nicole Mones not only tells the forgotten story of black musicians in the Chinese jazz age, but also weaves in a startling true tale of Holocaust heroism little-known in the West.
In 1936, classical pianist Thomas Greene is recruited to Shanghai to lead a jazz orchestra of fellow African-American expats. From being flat broke in segregated Baltimore to living in a mansion with servants of his own, he becomes the toast of a city obsessed with music, money, pleasure and power, even as it ignores the rising winds of war.
Song Yuhua is refined and educated, and has been bonded since age eighteen to Shanghai's most powerful crime boss in payment for her father's gambling debts. Outwardly submissive, she burns with rage and risks her life spying on her master for the Communist Party.
Only when Shanghai is shattered by the Japanese invasion do Song and Thomas find their way to each other. Though their union is forbidden, neither can back down from it in the turbulent years of occupation and resistance that follow. Torn between music and survival, freedom and commitment, love and world war, they are borne on an irresistible riff of melody and improvisation to Night in Shanghai's final, impossible choice.
In this stunningly researched novel, Nicole Mones not only tells the forgotten story of black musicians in the Chinese jazz age, but also weaves in a startling true tale of Holocaust heroism little-known in the West.
In 1936, classical pianist Thomas Greene is recruited to Shanghai to lead a jazz orchestra of fellow African-American expats. From being flat broke in segregated Baltimore to living in a mansion with servants of his own, he becomes the toast of a city obsessed with music, money, pleasure and power, even as it ignores the rising winds of war.
Song Yuhua is refined and educated, and has been bonded since age eighteen to Shanghai's most powerful crime boss in payment for her father's gambling debts. Outwardly submissive, she burns with rage and risks her life spying on her master for the Communist Party.
Only when Shanghai is shattered by the Japanese invasion do Song and Thomas find their way to each other. Though their union is forbidden, neither can back down from it in the turbulent years of occupation and resistance that follow. Torn between music and survival, freedom and commitment, love and world war, they are borne on an irresistible riff of melody and improvisation to Night in Shanghai's final, impossible choice.
In this stunningly researched novel, Nicole Mones not only tells the forgotten story of black musicians in the Chinese jazz age, but also weaves in a startling true tale of Holocaust heroism little-known in the West.
278 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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October 8, 2014
A forbidden love story set in the backdrop of Japanese invasion in Shanghai will totally going to awe your mind by its passion, pain and sacrifice amidst of war and bloodshed. Nicole Mones, an American author, has penned down a riveting love story based on the true events during the Japanese invasion in Shanghai in 1936.
If you want knowledge, you must take part in the practice of changing reality. If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself.... If you want to know the theory and methods of revolution, you must take part in revolution. All genuine knowledge originates in direct experience.
---Mao Tse Tung
Back in 1936, Shanghai, was the most happening city in Asia; thereby hordes of people are migrating in Shanghai, in order to find work. Similarly, a young African-American guy, named, Thomas Greene, too finds himself among those people, to join a jazz orchestra in Shanghai. From being broke in America to an almost rich man living in a house full of servants in Shanghai, Thomas finds himself in the midst of colorful nights and culture of Shanghai. His days are prosperous, his employer, Lin Ming, the illegitimate son of the most nasty and politically powerful man in Shanghai, named, Du, being his best pal, having an affair with a Russian blond, Anya and always catching the eyes of the most beautiful Chinese girl, named Song Yuhua, a bonded servant of Du. But soon his happy days comes to an end when the Nationalist party couldn't stop Japan from invading Shanghai in the south, whereas in the east, the Communist party is growing their power bit-by-bit and in the difficult times, more and more people are joining the Communist party to save their homeland. Among those many people, SongYuhua, also one who has vowed to serve her nation till her very last breath. Slowly, Thomas and Song, becomes more than friends and at last end up in each other arms. Their love is dangerous and forbidden because, Song was the bonded servant and in her bond, she cannot be with any other man. But still she breaks that bond, finds the way to Thomas's apartment. When Japan is dropping bombs in the streets of Shanghai, Song and Thomas were wrapped up in each other's skin. But in the end love and pleasure never becomes a forever thing. Whereas on the other, Lin had found love with a prostitute named, Pearl, but after Japanese invasion, he too loses her amidst of dirty Japanese soldier. Well, in the end , Night in Shanghai, known as Ye Shanghai, becomes deadly and dirty with opium clubs and dirty crimes and those warmness, brightness, colors, aura and fragrances of Ye Shanghai gets lost in the stench of blood and drugs.
The climax is beautiful; the description is so vivid and colorful, that the image is forever going to etch over our minds. This story is completely based on actual facts and events. The way the author has woven this tale, it is quite evident that the author's love for Shanghai is very true and strong. The clashes and tension between Nationalists and Communists parties, Green gang movement, Germany's throwing out of the Jews and finding their way to Shanghai with the help of fake Visas, the Japanese chief luring the Chinese people to join their hands with them, the droppings of bombs, the stench of death in every corner, the torture and pain and the Communists growing stronger by each passing day and finally the war- everything has been mentioned so strikingly and eloquently. The characters are so well-developed and are quite remarkable in their natures. The plot is highly intriguing and enthralling to read with a good pace.
The book has got two love stories with an amount of mystery, first is between Song and Thomas, whose love story takes a sweet, tragic end, leading to sacrifice for one’s own nation and Pearl and Lin, whose love story is painful and passionate and will break your heart in millions of pieces. The music, lyrics and jazz makes the book more and more delectable.
Thanks to the author, Nicole Mones and her publisher in Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, for the copy of the book, in return for an honest review.
If you want knowledge, you must take part in the practice of changing reality. If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself.... If you want to know the theory and methods of revolution, you must take part in revolution. All genuine knowledge originates in direct experience.
---Mao Tse Tung
Back in 1936, Shanghai, was the most happening city in Asia; thereby hordes of people are migrating in Shanghai, in order to find work. Similarly, a young African-American guy, named, Thomas Greene, too finds himself among those people, to join a jazz orchestra in Shanghai. From being broke in America to an almost rich man living in a house full of servants in Shanghai, Thomas finds himself in the midst of colorful nights and culture of Shanghai. His days are prosperous, his employer, Lin Ming, the illegitimate son of the most nasty and politically powerful man in Shanghai, named, Du, being his best pal, having an affair with a Russian blond, Anya and always catching the eyes of the most beautiful Chinese girl, named Song Yuhua, a bonded servant of Du. But soon his happy days comes to an end when the Nationalist party couldn't stop Japan from invading Shanghai in the south, whereas in the east, the Communist party is growing their power bit-by-bit and in the difficult times, more and more people are joining the Communist party to save their homeland. Among those many people, SongYuhua, also one who has vowed to serve her nation till her very last breath. Slowly, Thomas and Song, becomes more than friends and at last end up in each other arms. Their love is dangerous and forbidden because, Song was the bonded servant and in her bond, she cannot be with any other man. But still she breaks that bond, finds the way to Thomas's apartment. When Japan is dropping bombs in the streets of Shanghai, Song and Thomas were wrapped up in each other's skin. But in the end love and pleasure never becomes a forever thing. Whereas on the other, Lin had found love with a prostitute named, Pearl, but after Japanese invasion, he too loses her amidst of dirty Japanese soldier. Well, in the end , Night in Shanghai, known as Ye Shanghai, becomes deadly and dirty with opium clubs and dirty crimes and those warmness, brightness, colors, aura and fragrances of Ye Shanghai gets lost in the stench of blood and drugs.
The climax is beautiful; the description is so vivid and colorful, that the image is forever going to etch over our minds. This story is completely based on actual facts and events. The way the author has woven this tale, it is quite evident that the author's love for Shanghai is very true and strong. The clashes and tension between Nationalists and Communists parties, Green gang movement, Germany's throwing out of the Jews and finding their way to Shanghai with the help of fake Visas, the Japanese chief luring the Chinese people to join their hands with them, the droppings of bombs, the stench of death in every corner, the torture and pain and the Communists growing stronger by each passing day and finally the war- everything has been mentioned so strikingly and eloquently. The characters are so well-developed and are quite remarkable in their natures. The plot is highly intriguing and enthralling to read with a good pace.
The book has got two love stories with an amount of mystery, first is between Song and Thomas, whose love story takes a sweet, tragic end, leading to sacrifice for one’s own nation and Pearl and Lin, whose love story is painful and passionate and will break your heart in millions of pieces. The music, lyrics and jazz makes the book more and more delectable.
Thanks to the author, Nicole Mones and her publisher in Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, for the copy of the book, in return for an honest review.
January 9, 2017
engaging piece of historical fiction. Explores a little known bit of nazi resistance based in China. Very likable protagonists.
November 21, 2015
Mones has written a thoroughly captivating book set in Shanghai in the late 1930's just before and the during the Japanese take over of the city. We arrive on Shanghai w Thomas a young Afr Am musician, classically trained, who is being thrust into a jazz band when he knows little about jazz and its improvisational riffs and tempos. Mones is a fabulous writer and we are swept away w Thomas on this incomparable personal adventure as a musician, social adventure freed from racial prejudice - in fact being rather a celebrity as an AfrAm jazz musician, and political adventure surviving the various alliances of Japanese occupied Shanghai. Mones created a rich tapestry of interesting characters both fictional and real. I learned not only about how Jazz musicians were recruited in America to perform in Shanghai, but also how powerful Chinese men actively sought to provide refuge for tens of thousands of Jewish people in Shanghai.
Partly a love story between Thomas and a strong young Chinese woman committed to the Communist cause, partly a moving tribute to friendships between the various people trying to survive these war fraught years, it is a fascinating rendition ( music, food, sights) of a time and place from new perspectives .
I' m sure I read at least half a dozen books of that era set in shanghai ... maybe more? But I loved all the new things I learned and new perspectives. Loved the book and Mones. She is an amazingly smart and energetic woman whose passions for China and history I appreciate.
Partly a love story between Thomas and a strong young Chinese woman committed to the Communist cause, partly a moving tribute to friendships between the various people trying to survive these war fraught years, it is a fascinating rendition ( music, food, sights) of a time and place from new perspectives .
I' m sure I read at least half a dozen books of that era set in shanghai ... maybe more? But I loved all the new things I learned and new perspectives. Loved the book and Mones. She is an amazingly smart and energetic woman whose passions for China and history I appreciate.
March 4, 2019
Night in Shanghai has a fascinating premise. Thomas Greene, an African-American jazz musician lives in Shanghai in the 1930s, experiencing freedom he could never find in the US. He becomes involved with a Chinese woman who is linked up with Chinese gangsters, but it takes a long time for that relationship to develop and the gangster subplot is not developed and seems misplaced. The character development in this novel is not strong enough for the reader to develop any connection with the story.
February 11, 2017
Night in Shanghai by Nicole Mones was recommended on a thread discussing The Book of Harlan by Bernice McFadden on the Goodreads group, African American Historical Fiction. These novels are linked by their African American musician protagonists and the fact that they both take place in World War II.
I already knew that the situation for Jews in WWII Shanghai was unique. I had an instructor in college who fled Germany in the 1930's and took refuge in Shanghai. It was from him that I first learned that Shanghai had been a major haven for European Jews and Communists during WWII. It seems evident that this happened with the consent of the Japanese occupiers of Shanghai. What isn't entirely clear is why Shanghai accepted so many refugees from the Nazis. I gained some insight into this situation from reading Night in Shanghai.
There was a romance in this novel, but it was somewhat peripheral. This is not a romance novel. The relationship existed for plot and thematic reasons. There is no HEA (Happily Ever After).
The sentimental part of me wished that the female protagonist believed in the romance more than she did, but I could see why Nicole Mones chose otherwise for these characters. Other readers disagree. I have seen reviews that are deeply critical of this book's ending. I found it both chilling and bitterly ironic.
I thought this book was original and that Nicole Mones showed us hard truths because perfection isn't possible. Night in Shanghai is the best historical fiction that I've read in the first half of 2016.
For the blog version of this review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
I already knew that the situation for Jews in WWII Shanghai was unique. I had an instructor in college who fled Germany in the 1930's and took refuge in Shanghai. It was from him that I first learned that Shanghai had been a major haven for European Jews and Communists during WWII. It seems evident that this happened with the consent of the Japanese occupiers of Shanghai. What isn't entirely clear is why Shanghai accepted so many refugees from the Nazis. I gained some insight into this situation from reading Night in Shanghai.
There was a romance in this novel, but it was somewhat peripheral. This is not a romance novel. The relationship existed for plot and thematic reasons. There is no HEA (Happily Ever After).
The sentimental part of me wished that the female protagonist believed in the romance more than she did, but I could see why Nicole Mones chose otherwise for these characters. Other readers disagree. I have seen reviews that are deeply critical of this book's ending. I found it both chilling and bitterly ironic.
I thought this book was original and that Nicole Mones showed us hard truths because perfection isn't possible. Night in Shanghai is the best historical fiction that I've read in the first half of 2016.
For the blog version of this review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
July 8, 2020
Re-read - recommended for readers with interest in well told tales in exotic settings, particularly holocaust era Shanghai. Impressive research.
Story told from perspective of several characters with primary player being a pianist with Baltimore area African-American roots being recruited by Chinese to lead a jazz band in Shanghai. (This music elements of book impressive.)
Interesting to compare with the current status of being of color in the USA. Commander of Japanese army in Shanghai presented in relatively favorable light.
After reading book for first time, I sought out other books by author but did not find them captivating.
Read this time relatively non-stop and rate story solid 4+.
Story told from perspective of several characters with primary player being a pianist with Baltimore area African-American roots being recruited by Chinese to lead a jazz band in Shanghai. (This music elements of book impressive.)
Interesting to compare with the current status of being of color in the USA. Commander of Japanese army in Shanghai presented in relatively favorable light.
After reading book for first time, I sought out other books by author but did not find them captivating.
Read this time relatively non-stop and rate story solid 4+.
December 3, 2015
This is a wonderful story of a young black musician Thomas Greene, who, in 1936, leaves the segregated USA to work in as a band leader in Shanghai. The jazz scene in Shanghai in vibrant and open and accepting to blacks. However, Thomas is unaware that war is brewing between Japan and China as well as in Europe. Soon after finding success and respect in his new home the realities of war make themselves known.
Mones has included many real historical people in her story, including musicians, politicians, key military figures and even victims of crime. She has done an extraordinary amount of research including the discovery of a long "lost" article about a Jewish Resettlement Plan that was to create a community of 100, 000 Jews on the China-Burmese border - it never came to fruition, but how fascinating!
The book also gives us insight into the Green Gang who had a strong presence in the city, the Shanghai nightlife and the Concession system of a city divided into Foreign communities- Concessions- where each country was allowed to enact their own "laws". Thomas learns which parts of the city are safe and open to him and which are dangerous - the American Concession still had racial laws! Later we see how the Japanese siege of the city impacted the lives of the differing citizens, and some of what we learn is surprising.
Communism was a new movement in China and there is a struggle between the Nationalists and the Communists as well the invading Japanese. Thomas is aware of this but we are given additional insight through the eyes of his connected friend Lin Ming and Thomas' forbidden lover. There is also another storyline involving the Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler, many of them musicians, and how Ho Feng-Shan, the Chinese Consul in Vienna saved thousands of them by writing fake visas.
Throughout the novel we are engrossed in the story of Thomas, his love of music, his struggle to stay in Shanghai, continue playing his music, keep his friends safe, keep himself safe, and finally to make difficult choices. Lovers of music will relish the descriptions of the music, the rich music scene in Shanghai and Thomas' musical growth. We also read about the food, the clothing, housing, gambling, opium, concubines, and how Thomas deals with servants, shopping and more. We learn how the Japanese "introduced" their new drug - heroin.
There are so many characters to care about in this novel, and we care about many of them. It is not a long book, but it is packed with a fascinating, moving story and an important history lesson - win-win.
Mones has included many real historical people in her story, including musicians, politicians, key military figures and even victims of crime. She has done an extraordinary amount of research including the discovery of a long "lost" article about a Jewish Resettlement Plan that was to create a community of 100, 000 Jews on the China-Burmese border - it never came to fruition, but how fascinating!
The book also gives us insight into the Green Gang who had a strong presence in the city, the Shanghai nightlife and the Concession system of a city divided into Foreign communities- Concessions- where each country was allowed to enact their own "laws". Thomas learns which parts of the city are safe and open to him and which are dangerous - the American Concession still had racial laws! Later we see how the Japanese siege of the city impacted the lives of the differing citizens, and some of what we learn is surprising.
Communism was a new movement in China and there is a struggle between the Nationalists and the Communists as well the invading Japanese. Thomas is aware of this but we are given additional insight through the eyes of his connected friend Lin Ming and Thomas' forbidden lover. There is also another storyline involving the Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler, many of them musicians, and how Ho Feng-Shan, the Chinese Consul in Vienna saved thousands of them by writing fake visas.
Throughout the novel we are engrossed in the story of Thomas, his love of music, his struggle to stay in Shanghai, continue playing his music, keep his friends safe, keep himself safe, and finally to make difficult choices. Lovers of music will relish the descriptions of the music, the rich music scene in Shanghai and Thomas' musical growth. We also read about the food, the clothing, housing, gambling, opium, concubines, and how Thomas deals with servants, shopping and more. We learn how the Japanese "introduced" their new drug - heroin.
There are so many characters to care about in this novel, and we care about many of them. It is not a long book, but it is packed with a fascinating, moving story and an important history lesson - win-win.
February 7, 2014
Nicole Mones is one of my favorite writers. I've enjoyed her other novels and was excited to read "Night in Shanghai", not just because I love her writing, but also because it's a time period that I find fascinating.
This story, unlike others from WWII Shanghai, features a black jazz musician from Baltimore. Thomas Greene was one of many jazz musicians who found acceptance in 1930s Shanghai, a place without the segregation laws and other prejudices of the US. Greene falls for Song, an English-speaking indentured servant of notorious gangster, Du Yuesheng. Song is used more as a front for Du's affairs (apart from his four wives), but will not be able to gain her freedom for another ten years. To numb her pain, she joins the Communist Party and spies on Du.
"Night in Shanghai" also weaves in the story of the Shanghai Jewish refugees and the Nationalist Party's plan to gain favor in the West by resettling 100,000 European Jews in Western China. Those plans are of course shot down, but it's commendable of Mones to resurrect this little-known history.
This story, unlike others from WWII Shanghai, features a black jazz musician from Baltimore. Thomas Greene was one of many jazz musicians who found acceptance in 1930s Shanghai, a place without the segregation laws and other prejudices of the US. Greene falls for Song, an English-speaking indentured servant of notorious gangster, Du Yuesheng. Song is used more as a front for Du's affairs (apart from his four wives), but will not be able to gain her freedom for another ten years. To numb her pain, she joins the Communist Party and spies on Du.
"Night in Shanghai" also weaves in the story of the Shanghai Jewish refugees and the Nationalist Party's plan to gain favor in the West by resettling 100,000 European Jews in Western China. Those plans are of course shot down, but it's commendable of Mones to resurrect this little-known history.
March 29, 2016
I wanted to read Night in Shanghai because it is set in Shanghai in the 1930s and 1940s and it has an inter-ethnic couple. It was about the couple, but also the atmosphere of politics in China and war approaching, as well as the culture of Shanghai at the time. There were various groups of people living in Shanghai like french, jewish, americans and other internationals. That old world Shanghai fascinated me. I'm sad it no longer exists in the same way it did then.
What kept me from giving this a higher rating were the parts about music. I just didn't get it, probably because I don't know about music (classical piano or jazz).
My favorite parts to read were of Thomas and the guy who played classical music (I can't recall his name) in hotels and Ho Feng Shan trying to help Jewish people seek refuge in China. I might try re-reading this sometime to refresh my mind, maybe I'll like it better and see if I give it a higher rating.
What kept me from giving this a higher rating were the parts about music. I just didn't get it, probably because I don't know about music (classical piano or jazz).
My favorite parts to read were of Thomas and the guy who played classical music (I can't recall his name) in hotels and Ho Feng Shan trying to help Jewish people seek refuge in China. I might try re-reading this sometime to refresh my mind, maybe I'll like it better and see if I give it a higher rating.
April 22, 2014
Another book that I picked because I wanted to read it. I was in the mood for a good love story set in a foreign area. Sadly this book was not for me. I tried really hard to want to love or even like this book as I read so many did like this book. I did not fall in love with the characters. It was the location that did win me over. However this was not enough for me to stick with this book after a while. It started out slow. I then jumped a few chapters and started reading again. I was starting to get into the story and thought ok, I just did not give it enough time. My excitement was too quick and I soon faltered again. The descriptive writing by the author was nice as it did help me to envision Shanghai but it was this same writing that helped drag the story on for me. So with a lack of interest in the characters and the long drawn out writing of the story, I finally threw in the towel.
Read
August 2, 2019“Tell me the style of the piece.”
“The way I was playing it, with that arpeggiated left hand and the melodic, singing right hand - that would be a nocturne. A piece for the night.”
“Like Ye Shanghai,” she said. “Yes, Night in Shanghai.”
“Call it that. It belongs to this city.”
When pianist Thomas Greene arrived in Shanghai from Baltimore in 1936 to lead a Jazz band he never expected to feel such freedom. Freedom to mix socially, the freedom of being respected in his job and freedom to earn what others were earning. He was used to an environment of segregation, and he very much wanted to be accepted for who he was rather than be judged by the colour of his skin. “Suddenly he was not different anymore, everybody was different. No one looked twice at him, for the first time in his life.” His music came with constraints too. A gifted pianist, he had been classically trained and he played strictly what he read. This of course would hamper his new found career as leader of a jazz band: “He called out the changes in the new arrangements, and played a minimally credible piano line beneath the Kings’ bluesy surge, but everything was teetering. He was bringing too much of himself to the role. Back in America, he could never be light enough, never fully pass for European. He had always had to work extra hard on his precision and the subtlety of his touch to compensate, just as he had chosen his clothes and cultivated his manners in the same fashion.” Jazz was offering him freedom in his music too, if only he could let go of that which had been drummed into him.
It is not only Thomas who is concerned about freedom; the themes of prejudice versus liberty and equality reverberate throughout this novel. The story takes place during the Sino-Japanese War and ends on the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbour. There are several other examples of people seeking liberty in one way or another.
Thomas also learns that he cannot be responsible for those around him; they have to be free to make their own choices.
Song has been sold to the head of a triad for a period of ten years to acquit her family from debt. She seeks not only her own freedom, but that of her country. She is also a Communist spy.
Pearl is the woman loved by Lin Ming, and she needs to be liberated from her position as lady of negotiable virtue.
Lin Ming wants to be freed from his commitments to his father’s triad so that he can concentrate on his Jazz musicians
The Chinese wish to be liberated from the Japanese.
Thousands of Jews stream into Shanghai to escape Hitler’s scourge. Kung plans to save 100,000 Jews and bring them to China.
And of course music permeates the novel. Music brings together people from different countries and walks of life. Thomas plays with other Americans, but he also plays with Jewish musicians arrived from Germany. Japanese Admiral Morioka loves music, but loyalty to Japan comes first. But even he can be influenced by listening to some Mozart…
Author Nicole Mones states in the Afterword that much of the novel is historically accurate, and she mentions the names of those characters in the novel who were real people and what happened to them subsequently.
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Some excerpts in spoiler tags:
December 19, 2020
The first half of this novel was an amazing amalgam of romance, atmospheric setting, compelling characters, jazz, political intrigue and yes..classical music and food. It's a tale of a young black American musician who arrives in the thriving but dangerous city of Shanghai just before WWII. The city is a veritable Aladdin's Cave of wordly riches and peopled with various Westerners seeking freedom from conventionality and making fortunes on the side. Unfortunately, the city is also teeming with thousands of starving refugees fleeing the civil war in China and with Japanese soldiers who are the vanguard of a cruel and destructive invading army. There is every kind of occupation described here from the collecting of faeces to fertilize crops, to being a wealthy hotel owner or an uber wealthy criminal. And there is every kind of business from the selling of luxury goods to the pandering to the worst vices of humankind.
The main character, Thomas Greene, has come to Shanghai to play jazz and to escape the inequalities of life he faced as a black man in America. He meets two members of the entourage of a famous and feared Chinese gangster named Du. Thomas falls in love with Song, who is a kind of dogsbody assistant to Du, having been sold into slavery to him. He befriends Song's friend, Lin, the unlucky illegitimate son of Du.
Unfortunately I found the latter half of the novel to be less compelling than the first. Thomas stays on in Shanghai during the Japanese invasion until 1941, while Song who is a secret Communist, ultimately frees herself from Du and helps Thomas escape to the West. I am not sure why but as the characters flee to various cities in Asia after the Japanese invasion, the story loses its strength snd focus. But the beginning is a real treat for history lovers and romantics everywhere.
The main character, Thomas Greene, has come to Shanghai to play jazz and to escape the inequalities of life he faced as a black man in America. He meets two members of the entourage of a famous and feared Chinese gangster named Du. Thomas falls in love with Song, who is a kind of dogsbody assistant to Du, having been sold into slavery to him. He befriends Song's friend, Lin, the unlucky illegitimate son of Du.
Unfortunately I found the latter half of the novel to be less compelling than the first. Thomas stays on in Shanghai during the Japanese invasion until 1941, while Song who is a secret Communist, ultimately frees herself from Du and helps Thomas escape to the West. I am not sure why but as the characters flee to various cities in Asia after the Japanese invasion, the story loses its strength snd focus. But the beginning is a real treat for history lovers and romantics everywhere.
August 25, 2016
I had the good fortune of attending a lecture put on by our local library in which Nicole Mones discussed her current novel and the historic events it covers, so of course I was thrilled to receive a copy of this novel through the Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway. During the years leading up to and entering into World War II, Shanghai was a fascinating mix of music, dance and international flair. Jazz musicians, primarily African Americans, were enticed to play in clubs for better pay and more freedom than they received in the United States at the time. As the Japanese invasion approached, Shanghai began to change in inconceivable ways and a lot of those same musicians were no longer safe. This novel follows Thomas Greene and his band mates; Lin Ming, the illegitimate son of a Chinese gangster and Song, the paid servant of the same gangster and a committed Communist. The three lives intersect as the world implodes into war and their story is absorbing, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful.
Nicole Mones is an incredible writer with a gift for creating believable characters and an amazing knowledge of Chinese history. My only criticism of this book is that it could definitely be longer with more detail and less glossed over in parts. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone who likes historically accurate, entertaining novels.
Nicole Mones is an incredible writer with a gift for creating believable characters and an amazing knowledge of Chinese history. My only criticism of this book is that it could definitely be longer with more detail and less glossed over in parts. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone who likes historically accurate, entertaining novels.
April 22, 2014
Night In Shanghai is the story of a Shanghai on the precipice of war, a man between worlds, and a woman of opposing loyalties.
Nicole Mones has managed to seamlessly interlace the stories of African American band leader, Thomas Greene, interpreter and servant, Song Yuhua, and the onslaught of WWII.
Having just one of the above mentioned aspects of this epic tale handled with the historical precision, lyrical voice, and descriptive eye of a seasoned storyteller, would be enough to delight any reader. Having all three components, makes for nothing less than a stellar reading experience.
Both Song and Thomas present very strong lead characters. Each are dealing with the specters of servitude, the need to find themselves, and the quest for personal freedom against the backdrop of a land in turmoil.
The reader is allowed to experience each of these dynamic personas separately, making their coming together and the subsequent relationship and intrigue that follows all the more compelling.
The militaristic aspects of this read are handled on a personal level. Instead of taking center stage and becoming the story; WWII is made a personal experience because it is seen, heard and felt through the characters, rather than as its own entity.
This is a wonderful read that uses history to introduce readers to a Shanghai that they never knew!
Nicole Mones has managed to seamlessly interlace the stories of African American band leader, Thomas Greene, interpreter and servant, Song Yuhua, and the onslaught of WWII.
Having just one of the above mentioned aspects of this epic tale handled with the historical precision, lyrical voice, and descriptive eye of a seasoned storyteller, would be enough to delight any reader. Having all three components, makes for nothing less than a stellar reading experience.
Both Song and Thomas present very strong lead characters. Each are dealing with the specters of servitude, the need to find themselves, and the quest for personal freedom against the backdrop of a land in turmoil.
The reader is allowed to experience each of these dynamic personas separately, making their coming together and the subsequent relationship and intrigue that follows all the more compelling.
The militaristic aspects of this read are handled on a personal level. Instead of taking center stage and becoming the story; WWII is made a personal experience because it is seen, heard and felt through the characters, rather than as its own entity.
This is a wonderful read that uses history to introduce readers to a Shanghai that they never knew!
December 4, 2016
Loved this book! I've read everything by Nicole Mones and this is one of my favorites. Beautifully written and very well researched. Filled with historical figures and spans a part of history with which I lacked much familiarity. A glimpse into the international city of Shanghai in the late 1930s and early 1940s with a focus on the black Americans in the jazz scene. This story soon intertwined with Japan invading China, the German and Austrian Jews escaping to Shanghai and the divisions between the Nationalists and the growing Communist movement. And some surprising parts of history. I was shocked to learn that America had imported its race laws to the American and British Concessions in Shanghai, that a plan to resettle 100,00 Jews in China was scuttled by Chiang Kai-Shek and that Japan had stood up to the German request to murder the Jews of Shanghai. Love when I learn a little history as part of a good read.
March 22, 2014
Found the book in the new section of South Pasadena Library. I don't Google an author until I have finished the book and after I finished the book I went to the author's web site (http://www.nicolemones.com/) and found a very nice series of photographs about the story line of the book showing several of the real characters and places that are within the novel.
One page 143 I ran across the use of the word "microsecond". At that time (pre-1940) microsecond was a technical term that denoted 10-6 time division not a popular usage describing a short period of time. "So after resting a microsecond on the low D-flat, he let go of the rippling,"
Here is a list of most of the songs and music in the book on my blog. To hear the songs click on the underlined song. http://kayamawasailor.blogspot.com/
One page 143 I ran across the use of the word "microsecond". At that time (pre-1940) microsecond was a technical term that denoted 10-6 time division not a popular usage describing a short period of time. "So after resting a microsecond on the low D-flat, he let go of the rippling,"
Here is a list of most of the songs and music in the book on my blog. To hear the songs click on the underlined song. http://kayamawasailor.blogspot.com/
May 9, 2014
Well, I found yet another WWII perspective that I knew nothing about... While this book was confusing to read at times (especially all the Chinese and Japanese names), I was able to follow enough to understand what was going on. Loved the American jazz musicians and later the Shanghai Jews. As all of her books, I was fully engaged with the characters and learned a lot.
March 9, 2014
Amazing work of historical fiction. I could literally smell the spicy scent of Shanghai and hear the music. What a n adventure. I hated that it had to end.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : Night in Shanghai - Nevisande : Nicole Mones - ISBN : 547516177 - ISBN13 : 9780547516172 - Dar 278 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2014
March 29, 2021
3 stars
I love reading novels set in 1920’s-1930’s Shanghai, a love born when I first read Anchee Min’s Becoming Madame Mao in high school. It’s such an interesting setting & period, with so many layers of politics, arts, intermingling of cultures—and the dark underbelly of racism, colonialism, poverty, & organized crime.
This book delivers on the interesting, detailed, & well researched setting front. The geography, food, nightlife, & day-to-day living is described in a nuanced & vivid way. (I’m a huge sucker for well developed settings, okay)
The characters are...not quite as well developed. They are unique for sure, including an African American jazz musician, a Chinese warlord, a Japanese army officer, & a young Chinese woman trapped as a servant with a burning desire for revenge. However, the action & intricate plot take prominence & character development sorta falls by the wayside.
The plot—well at first it’s very engaging. There is lots of intrigue underfoot, which starts to weave together as the various MC’s become interconnected. However, there are a few meandering side plots which didn’t really fit with the main narrative, & seemed a bit superfluous, especially the tangent about resettling Jewish refugees from Europe outside of Shanghai.
But anyway, it was an interesting read, & well worth it imo if you’re interested in the setting or early jazz music.
I love reading novels set in 1920’s-1930’s Shanghai, a love born when I first read Anchee Min’s Becoming Madame Mao in high school. It’s such an interesting setting & period, with so many layers of politics, arts, intermingling of cultures—and the dark underbelly of racism, colonialism, poverty, & organized crime.
This book delivers on the interesting, detailed, & well researched setting front. The geography, food, nightlife, & day-to-day living is described in a nuanced & vivid way. (I’m a huge sucker for well developed settings, okay)
The characters are...not quite as well developed. They are unique for sure, including an African American jazz musician, a Chinese warlord, a Japanese army officer, & a young Chinese woman trapped as a servant with a burning desire for revenge. However, the action & intricate plot take prominence & character development sorta falls by the wayside.
The plot—well at first it’s very engaging. There is lots of intrigue underfoot, which starts to weave together as the various MC’s become interconnected. However, there are a few meandering side plots which didn’t really fit with the main narrative, & seemed a bit superfluous, especially the tangent about resettling Jewish refugees from Europe outside of Shanghai.
But anyway, it was an interesting read, & well worth it imo if you’re interested in the setting or early jazz music.
June 19, 2020
History and Jazz
Interesting history of China leading up to Japan entering WWII. The descriptions of music are so vivid that I could almost hear the jazz.
Interesting history of China leading up to Japan entering WWII. The descriptions of music are so vivid that I could almost hear the jazz.
April 11, 2014
Night in Shanghai, by Nicole Mones, was a wonderful original and inspiring story. It featured a forbidden love story, but yet had so many other layers as well. It dealt with racism, the arts, culture (esp Asian vs. Western), war, servitude.
As much as I love history, and even really like Asian history, it was completely different to me for her to feature black musicians in the Chinese Jazz Age. I didn’t even know China had a jazz age, or any racism towards African-Americans. It was so wonderful of her to research a time in history not well-talked about and bring it to life.
Her voice, or rather the voice of her characters, were strong, vibrant, piercing, believable, and captivating. I really enjoyed hearing the story of Thomas Greene–how he came to Shanghai, how he learned to play jazz after years of classical in America, how he had to deal with racism and segregation, and how he overcame music being dead due to the laws. As the conflict in China and war ensued, he didn’t pick sides, national or communist, as neither supported music. When he meets Song, a Communist spy, he inadvertently becomes intertwined in war, and life is almost all consumed by war. But all he wanted was to play music, and as war ensued, his race no longer mattered, only the music. He longed to keep Shaghai’s jazz clubs alive with sound.
As Mones weaves the story of war, she also gives us a glimpse of how the holocaust came to China. I was educated on the fact that many Jews were planned to be resettled in Western China by the Nationalists in order to gain favor in the West. In this book, Mones featured the struggle between Chinese communists, nationalists, and the Japanese during one of the worst World Wars in history–WWII. Mones put a lot political and military history and intelligence into her book, which I loved, yet it doesn’t feel over done or heavy. She is a wonderful author due to her work in China in which to showcase China’s culture in WWII, and all the political nuances and intrigue, yet she also does a beautiful job of displaying the music in full capacity, from the musical techniques, notes, and reading of music in various ways.
Mones has a great amount of detail to tell and several varying sub-stories, yet she kept the pace moving and her book was tightly edited. I loved her details, her full and lush sentences, and the way the words moved on the page as if they were music themselves.
The novel has strongly formed characters, beautiful sentences, a moving story and plots, and very well-written. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes war-time history with political intelligence yet also to those who appreciate good music and the people who kept these arts alive at one of the most depressing times in history.
I highly recommend this book for purchase if you like historical Asian culture, war stories, or music history. Really for anyone though, it’s a great historical novel that explores a less common time and place in history than many other books you might find on the shelf set in this time period.
As much as I love history, and even really like Asian history, it was completely different to me for her to feature black musicians in the Chinese Jazz Age. I didn’t even know China had a jazz age, or any racism towards African-Americans. It was so wonderful of her to research a time in history not well-talked about and bring it to life.
Her voice, or rather the voice of her characters, were strong, vibrant, piercing, believable, and captivating. I really enjoyed hearing the story of Thomas Greene–how he came to Shanghai, how he learned to play jazz after years of classical in America, how he had to deal with racism and segregation, and how he overcame music being dead due to the laws. As the conflict in China and war ensued, he didn’t pick sides, national or communist, as neither supported music. When he meets Song, a Communist spy, he inadvertently becomes intertwined in war, and life is almost all consumed by war. But all he wanted was to play music, and as war ensued, his race no longer mattered, only the music. He longed to keep Shaghai’s jazz clubs alive with sound.
As Mones weaves the story of war, she also gives us a glimpse of how the holocaust came to China. I was educated on the fact that many Jews were planned to be resettled in Western China by the Nationalists in order to gain favor in the West. In this book, Mones featured the struggle between Chinese communists, nationalists, and the Japanese during one of the worst World Wars in history–WWII. Mones put a lot political and military history and intelligence into her book, which I loved, yet it doesn’t feel over done or heavy. She is a wonderful author due to her work in China in which to showcase China’s culture in WWII, and all the political nuances and intrigue, yet she also does a beautiful job of displaying the music in full capacity, from the musical techniques, notes, and reading of music in various ways.
Mones has a great amount of detail to tell and several varying sub-stories, yet she kept the pace moving and her book was tightly edited. I loved her details, her full and lush sentences, and the way the words moved on the page as if they were music themselves.
The novel has strongly formed characters, beautiful sentences, a moving story and plots, and very well-written. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes war-time history with political intelligence yet also to those who appreciate good music and the people who kept these arts alive at one of the most depressing times in history.
I highly recommend this book for purchase if you like historical Asian culture, war stories, or music history. Really for anyone though, it’s a great historical novel that explores a less common time and place in history than many other books you might find on the shelf set in this time period.
July 30, 2017
Simply stated, a masterpiece. Besides being unendingly suspenseful and having quite interesting characters, it tells a story in a setting that was unusual, at least in my experience, which I grant you, is narrow.
Here we have expatriate African-American jazz men living in Shanghai just as the Japanese set their sights on China at the onset of WWII. The author explores the shifting ground the main character experiences of coming from a society where respect and justice are lacking for Black people and finding himself in Shanghai, an open port where all are welcome. His talents as a musician and his selfhood as a human being suddenly merit privileges he never expected to have.
Through all this, the history of the Chinese Nationalists of Chiang Kai-Shek and the Communist resistance, Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis, and native Chinese in servitude to a master who accrued them as payment for their parents' debts all interact.
In the afterword, I learned that many of these characters, locales, and situations were actually historically accurate. I thought it was the author's lively imagination, but it turns out to have been something even more impressive--research!
In her earlier novel, The Last Chinese Chef, the author offered detailed descriptions of the culinary arts and philosophy of Imperial cooking. In Night in Shanghai, she brings us inside the head and heart of a jazz musician. It really is exhilarating.
This book is entertaining, suspenseful, educational and fine writing, all at once. I have read three other novels by Nicole Mones; this is the best one yet.
Here we have expatriate African-American jazz men living in Shanghai just as the Japanese set their sights on China at the onset of WWII. The author explores the shifting ground the main character experiences of coming from a society where respect and justice are lacking for Black people and finding himself in Shanghai, an open port where all are welcome. His talents as a musician and his selfhood as a human being suddenly merit privileges he never expected to have.
Through all this, the history of the Chinese Nationalists of Chiang Kai-Shek and the Communist resistance, Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis, and native Chinese in servitude to a master who accrued them as payment for their parents' debts all interact.
In the afterword, I learned that many of these characters, locales, and situations were actually historically accurate. I thought it was the author's lively imagination, but it turns out to have been something even more impressive--research!
In her earlier novel, The Last Chinese Chef, the author offered detailed descriptions of the culinary arts and philosophy of Imperial cooking. In Night in Shanghai, she brings us inside the head and heart of a jazz musician. It really is exhilarating.
This book is entertaining, suspenseful, educational and fine writing, all at once. I have read three other novels by Nicole Mones; this is the best one yet.
January 31, 2015
I absolutely loved this book’s setting: 1930s Shanghai, as seen through the eyes of an African American jazz musician. Fascinating characters, fascinating setup, fascinating locale. I want to read more novels set in pre-war Shanghai - is there a shelf for that at the library?
The romance between Thomas and Song was totally perfunctory. (Unless it was symbolic of the intense but short-lived relationship between the western émigrés and their eastern host city? Possible, but if so it was totally lost on me during the reading.) Anyway, I just needed to accept that their love existed, because there was pretty much no basis for it. And really, it was almost an aside, since the other characters and the heady pre-war tension more than made up for their relationship flaws.
The second half of the book was not nearly as strong. It was filled with a lot of disparate elements that weren’t very well connected. Granted, it was still fascinating, but would have been better as a separate book – one story about Shanghai’s golden jazz age, and the other about the movement to shelter the Jews in a city that was itself under siege. The characters that were created for the pre-occupation Shanghai story – a music agent, an American jazz musician, a mob boss’ servant – felt crammed into situations that didn’t fit them quite as well. For example, how did Lin jump career (and character) from a saavy music agent to the organizer of a Jewish refugee camp? Again, they’re both fascinating, but each should have been it’s own story– when combined, each only muddied the other.
The romance between Thomas and Song was totally perfunctory. (Unless it was symbolic of the intense but short-lived relationship between the western émigrés and their eastern host city? Possible, but if so it was totally lost on me during the reading.) Anyway, I just needed to accept that their love existed, because there was pretty much no basis for it. And really, it was almost an aside, since the other characters and the heady pre-war tension more than made up for their relationship flaws.
The second half of the book was not nearly as strong. It was filled with a lot of disparate elements that weren’t very well connected. Granted, it was still fascinating, but would have been better as a separate book – one story about Shanghai’s golden jazz age, and the other about the movement to shelter the Jews in a city that was itself under siege. The characters that were created for the pre-occupation Shanghai story – a music agent, an American jazz musician, a mob boss’ servant – felt crammed into situations that didn’t fit them quite as well. For example, how did Lin jump career (and character) from a saavy music agent to the organizer of a Jewish refugee camp? Again, they’re both fascinating, but each should have been it’s own story– when combined, each only muddied the other.
Read
April 29, 2015An African-American jazzman and his circle in prewar Shanghai.
The backdrop is affecting, riddled with tension as the future of China hangs in the balance as well as its people. A dual love story taking place in Shanghai 1936 during the Japanese invasion. Mones crafts a riveting story of forbidden love filled with passion, agony, sacrifice during pre/post war along with its carnage.
The characters are well developed, each offering a vital role in the narrative, their uniqueness along with their individual circumstances adds drama. A patchwork cast meshing.
The plot in intriguing and engaging. The pace is smooth and gains momentum slowly enabling the reader to absorb the narrative, feel the impending threat of war, the characters emotions, concerns, all palpable. Your senses fully engaged. The music, lyrics, the jazz aspect amplifies narrative with color and scope.
Mones cites factual events with the perfect blend of fiction. Well researched, her knowledge of China obvious. The strain between Communists and Nationalists, Green Gang, Jews relocating to Shanghai, Japanese recruitment of Chinese to defect, the devastation of war, the loss of life, delivered with such force as it is vividly detailed from the adroit hand of Mones.
The ending is memorable, guaranteed to resinate for quite some time.
A well written book encompassing much precursory to WWII, rich in historical events as well as the agony and ecstasy of love.
Find this and other reviews at http://ravenhairedgirl.com
The backdrop is affecting, riddled with tension as the future of China hangs in the balance as well as its people. A dual love story taking place in Shanghai 1936 during the Japanese invasion. Mones crafts a riveting story of forbidden love filled with passion, agony, sacrifice during pre/post war along with its carnage.
The characters are well developed, each offering a vital role in the narrative, their uniqueness along with their individual circumstances adds drama. A patchwork cast meshing.
The plot in intriguing and engaging. The pace is smooth and gains momentum slowly enabling the reader to absorb the narrative, feel the impending threat of war, the characters emotions, concerns, all palpable. Your senses fully engaged. The music, lyrics, the jazz aspect amplifies narrative with color and scope.
Mones cites factual events with the perfect blend of fiction. Well researched, her knowledge of China obvious. The strain between Communists and Nationalists, Green Gang, Jews relocating to Shanghai, Japanese recruitment of Chinese to defect, the devastation of war, the loss of life, delivered with such force as it is vividly detailed from the adroit hand of Mones.
The ending is memorable, guaranteed to resinate for quite some time.
A well written book encompassing much precursory to WWII, rich in historical events as well as the agony and ecstasy of love.
Find this and other reviews at http://ravenhairedgirl.com
April 15, 2014
"Casablanca" set in China. This book included a history lesson I hadn't heard before: the Chinese (Nationalists) had a plan to save 100,000 Jewish refugees from Europe by settling them in Yunnan. I knew Shanghai took in many (25,000) refugees. I didn't know that, if Chiang Kai-Shek hadn't caved in, there could have been many more.
This was so surprising to me that I thought the author was making it up, to add drama to the last third of the book. While the first half or so of the book does a very nice job creating the setting and developing the relationships among the main characters, once Shanghai is taken over by the Japanese, the main characters are just sort of running around doing their own thing. So I assumed the Resettlement Plan was a fiction, made up to give one of those characters a compelling storyline and bring the three main characters back together (which seemed contrived). I had a few quibbles with the pace of the book and the believability of some of the characters.
The little slices of Chinese culture, however, were wonderful. I especially liked how the author showed how poetic and colorful the language is.
This was so surprising to me that I thought the author was making it up, to add drama to the last third of the book. While the first half or so of the book does a very nice job creating the setting and developing the relationships among the main characters, once Shanghai is taken over by the Japanese, the main characters are just sort of running around doing their own thing. So I assumed the Resettlement Plan was a fiction, made up to give one of those characters a compelling storyline and bring the three main characters back together (which seemed contrived). I had a few quibbles with the pace of the book and the believability of some of the characters.
The little slices of Chinese culture, however, were wonderful. I especially liked how the author showed how poetic and colorful the language is.
January 29, 2015
I got this book free in exchange for agreeing to discuss it online with other readers (and. it turned out, the author). My "followers" know I don't often give more than three starts, so why did I give four to "Night in Shanghai?" The story is engrossing; the main characters are interesting and well-developed; however, those are not the real reasons I awarded the fourth star. The real reason is that I learned so much from this novel: about Shanghai in the immediately-pre-World War II years; about jazz; about China in general; about the Jews who were rescued from certain death by the courage of the Chinese counsel in Vienna, who wrote visas to allow whole families to escape and is recognized in Israel as one of the Righteous among Nations; about the foiled plan to relocate another 100,000 German Jews along the China/Manchuria border; and about the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists in China and the Japanese occupation of China. I would likely never have picked up a history book to research all these things, and learned very few of them in school. Learning so much while being entertained was a treat.
February 13, 2017
Really stellar writing and history research and musical description. I just would like to read a book with a happy ending for a change. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2014
Very good read. I grew up in the 50s & 60s so I was taught very little about China, this book told a great story while weaving a whole lot of history I never heard. Ho Feng-Shan saving over 1000 Jewish families from Nazi Austria should be taught in every school, along with the 1938 Evian conference where every country, including the U.S.A. and Great Britain refused to increase their immigration quota of European Jews. All 32 countries refused except Dominican Republic and Shanghai, which was an open port. If all of those countries would have accepted an extra 17,000 European Jews there would have been no death camps. There were many more monster countries than just Nazi Germany, and it was nice to learn about a few of the Heros of that time. Thanks for the suggestion Rita amazing story.
Chang Kai-Shek was no hero and it is amazing that the U.S. followed the fantasy of Taiwan/China until finally recognizing China in 1979. The 'Red Scare' did damage for a very long time.
Chang Kai-Shek was no hero and it is amazing that the U.S. followed the fantasy of Taiwan/China until finally recognizing China in 1979. The 'Red Scare' did damage for a very long time.
December 18, 2015
Thomas Greene is a classically trained African-American who gets recruited to play at a jazz orchestra in Shanghai in 1936. He falls straight into love-lust with Song Yuhua, who has been sold into slavery to the crime lord that owns the jazz club where Thomas works.
The history felt very solid, but the pace was far too slow. The love story was also underwhelming. Thomas is with Song because...she's pretty? And he got tired of his Russian professional mistress? It clearly didn't work for me and I could never buy into the supposed grand passion of Thomas and Song's love story as Shanghai falls into war.
The history felt very solid, but the pace was far too slow. The love story was also underwhelming. Thomas is with Song because...she's pretty? And he got tired of his Russian professional mistress? It clearly didn't work for me and I could never buy into the supposed grand passion of Thomas and Song's love story as Shanghai falls into war.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews