The Gate of Happy Sparrows

by Daniele Varè

Excellent Book

Genres: Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Brought up in Scotland, served as an Italian diplomat in China. Wrote a number of novels, as well as several memoirs about his family, parents &c.

Reviews

[Hela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread of a favourite vintage novel set in China in the first decades of the 20th century. Just as delightful as on my first read more than 25 years ago! Daniele Vare remains one of my favourite authors. . His autobiography 'The Laughing Diplomat' is just as delightful, amusing, and informative as his much smaller size novels. Anyone interested in novels and/or autobiographies set in the international/foreign enclaves (American, British, German, Italian, French, Japanese, etc) of China in the pre World War II days cannot go past the books of Daniele Vare.

Short stories, sketches, personal experiences -- and delightful reading. Recalls the Somerset Maugham's East and West, etc. Some of the stories tie in with the enchanting Maker of Heavenly Trousers. Setting -- China. (Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1937)

[Alberto Simal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Varè keeps his charming style in this book, and his wealth of juicy anecdotes seems inexhaustible! There are really fascinating stories, but the book may seem not as captivating as his first "The maker of heavenly trousers". It is indeed hard to live up to such a gem!
Now for the third instalment, "The temple of Costly Experience". This one I could only get in German, so I must feel really heroic to start it....