Peking

by Anthony Grey

An epic novel of a wide-eyed missionary and a rebellious woman thrust into China's Communist revolution.

In 1931, young English-born missionary Jakob Kellner brings all the crusading passion of his untried Christian faith to a China racked by famine and bloody civil war. He burns to save the world's largest nation from Communism.

But when he is swept along on the cold, unforgiving Long March, Jakob becomes entangled with Mei-ling, a beautiful and fervent revolutionary. Soon, powerful new emotions challenge and reshape his faith - and entrap him forever in the vast country's tortured destiny.

Once held hostage by Red Guards in Peking for more than two years, author Anthony Grey traces the path of China's Communist party from its covert inception through purge and revolution. He crafts a portrait of China as a land of great beauty and harshness - of triumph and tragedy - in a sweeping narrative, rich in historical and cultural revelations.
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Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, China, Asian Literature, Novels, Asia, Historical

645 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Anthony Grey OBE is a British journalist and author. As a journalist for Reuters he was detained for 27 months in China from 1967 to 1969. He has written a series of novels and non-fiction books, including several relating to his detention.

Reviews

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio of Peking: an epic novel of twentieth-century China by Robert Grey. It is 26 hours long and I learnt a lot about China's history from it. However, I doubt I would have made it through the 900-page-odd book. It starts as a story about a well-intentioned but naïve missionary posted to China. The book spans an extended time period, and, as can be expected from the author, a distinguished historian, it is minutely detailed. Because the work spans many years, it was hard to engage with particular characters. Overall, this is a worthwhile read/listen, particularly for readers seeking to expand their knowledge of the turbulent 20th century in China.

[Dave Wickenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the rise of Communist China. It begins in the 1930s and chronicles the Long March across China by the fledging Communist Army as they attempted to escape the National Army. The story also portrays the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, where thousands of people were killed for defying Chairman Mao Zedong and his class struggle. Finally, it describes the power struggle that followed the death of Mao.

The story is highly researched. It is extremely brutal, but is true to the suffering of both sides of the conflict. This is an enormous book, but it needed to be to bring the full story to light. It is a magnificent story that brings to light the struggles of the Chinese people over fifty years.

[Braden Bernards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peking is a massive and remarkable story, full of insights into China's 20th century history.. The book is fascinating in its coverage of some 50 years...hardly ever before had I left a book feeling nostalgic for the character's lives at the beginning. Reading as part adventure and part history book, Grey's writing detailed but keeps the story moving as you follow Jacob from 20 year old missionary onwards. The descriptions of the march are particularly terrifying, and left me with quite the impression. Changed and complexified the view of modern China.

[Christine L. Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read

This was a fascinating read that carried me through the development of communism in China. I found the story to be captivating and the history seemed to be well researched. I highly recommend!

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZINGLY GREAT STORYTELLING.

“The China that you’re about to venture into, [. . .] is a leaking ship with a broken tiller drifting on an uncharted ocean.” (Kindle Locations 1224-1225).

Just what is it about the myths of Communism that made them so much more effective at converting so many more Chinese peasants—literally tens of millions, in a relatively short period of time—than the myths of Christianity? Both modes of magical thinking were foreign imports, and both promised the masses large measures of ’something-for-nothing;’ so why was it Communism that won out so handily as China’s state religion?

Those are the questions I am left with after reading Anthony Grey’s insanely great historical novel, Peking: An Epic Novel of Twentieth-Century China.

Recommendation: A must read for all China watchers; and all historical fiction fans.

“Eight thousand missionaries have been working in China for the last hundred years. They now lay claim to eight hundred thousand converts to Christianity — that’s only one convert per missionary per year. And you know that most of those are rice Christians, who pretend to believe in order to ensure that their bellies are filled. Doesn’t that prove the futility of your task?” (Kindle Locations 5975-5978).

Open Road Media. Kindle Edition, 11,865 Kindle Locations, 645 pages.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful historic fiction of how Communism came into being in China. Through the characters I was able to 'relive' alot of what my relatives felt and experienced during this tumltuous period of China's history. For those who've been to China, it is also a facinating glimpse into the changes that have occurred since and a greater understanding of the pride that Chinese have in their history. Imbeded into the history is a moving story of love and the family ties that bind us.

[Tracie Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a journey! I laughed! I cried! I've enjoyed spending the last few weeks in 1900s China.

[Ming Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line in this book spans many decades, which I feel can make it difficult for a reader to deeply get a feel for a character, The journey of the book is vast, and maybe this book could have be broken down into multiple books, maybe one book per decade, sometimes I feel that there is not enough historical theme running in the background that maybe would make it easier for a reader who is reading a book from this period for the 1st time to follow. Thus said, for somebody that understands this period in Chinese history, it is a good book and well worth reading, a book that I did enjoy, sections within the book are written very well, and with such detail and description, the China history theme throughout the book is very accurate to the periods that it is written in. Political themes are present in the story, I certainly will read more of the authors work, The book cover is very attractive, no editorial errors in the book, Well worth reading. I would recommend this book to others. I am very happy I read it

[McKenna Sumrak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars is because while it was excellent, I struggled to finish it because it had so much detail. But on that note, the history this book covers is incredible. I am already fascinated with China, but this just heightened my interest. I like the way Grey uses personal stories to tell the story of the full communist movement in China from the 1930s to the 1970s. Rich with descriptions, history, and emotions, this book is a masterpiece.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the novel's postscript I learned that the travails of Jakob, the missionary, were based on a conglomerate of actual characters. I already appreciated the historical account of China's revolution and leaders, but the knowledge that Jakob's story was not entirely fictional was an added bonus. Anthony Grey is a fine historian. I read of all his books, and am wiser for it.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Usually I find the political info in a book boring and tend to skip it. Not this book. Maybe because I have always been fascinated by China and have never before even heard of the Long March and have read hardly anything about the Cultural Revolution. Easy reading. I can’t believe I had never run across this author.

[Catherine D. Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly Alive and Colorful Saga of China’s Fight From Communism

A story with monumental life, one forgets immediately that it’s a book and you’re really not there, you’re simply reading.
Absolutely amazing and brilliantly written.

[Susan McAlice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Anthony Grey as an author. However, his books tend to be heavy reads but always an excellent read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really 4.5 stars. I thought this book was very good. I kind of wanted to stop reading at the beginning, since I didn't really like the really long chapters that were basically a history of China lesson. But once the author started concentrating on Jakob and his story, I became fascinated with the story and had a hard time putting the book down. The writing was well done and kept my interest. I even got used to the history chapters, since they were the author's way of catching us up to what was happening in China during the usual 10 year gap(or more) that took place in the story line.
I must admit I was a bit disappointed that the author chose to kill off so many people. I also thought that Jakob's daughter's treatment of him was a bit childish. I don't really think that someone would treat his or her only living relative with such cruelty and also show so little understanding why her father couldn't really come out and talk to her about all of this. I also think the author should have taken the time to give us an epilogue telling us about Jakob and what happened to him. Chiao's was interesting, since it talked about what was happening in China, but Jakob's would have been a much more satisfying end to the book. There was obviously much research done on this book and I think the author did a good job of keeping the readers interested in the story line even when a large span of years had gone by in which you didn't know what each character was doing. I came to appreciate all of the history included in the story because I really knew very little about China's history and how it became to be the country that we know today.

[J.M. Hochstetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is set during the Communist revolution in China. Overall I enjoyed the story, and I definitely gained a great many insights into the forces that have shaped this great country since the 1930s. The author inserts several brief sections of history where he skips over a number of years to continue the story of his characters, and although the technique is unconventional, it helps tremendously to keep the story's progression straight. The novel is very long, but I found myself quite engaged with the characters throughout.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! I read a lot on China so I'm familiar with its history. I have also actually travelled to China several times. This book's history is spot-on, and his description of China and it's beauty is impeccably accurate. The characters come to life and you feel like you know them. I have read one other book by Anthony Grey (Saigon), and after reading this one, I will buy everything written by him. He is a great author!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, probably a 3.25/3.5, but like Saigon too wordy and too many coincidences. Because of the large chunks of time that is skipped over, with little historical notes, you lose the feeling for the characters and lose some the depth they would otherwise have., the same was true in Saigon. None the less I enjoyed both.

[Carolynk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book, rich in history. I thought it was unbelievable and must be purely fiction, until I read a couple of biographies written about the same time and place in history. Though this book IS fiction, I believe it represents that difficult time in China's history.

[Claire Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another personal favourite. I count it an achievement too... This is no light read and its pretty thick for a paperback. Loved the story and the glimpse at a culture and time in history totally unfamiliar to me... A fascinating read!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding literary feat!! I could not put it down. I learned so much about China's history from Mao on. Storyline was incredible and the main character was based or developed around a true story .. I've ordered all the rest of his books.

[Sharon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful history of China and their on-going war with establishing Communism. I did not know much about this subject and the book handled it in two ways; 1) actual history in various chapters and then a fictional story based on real life characters. It was an excellent and educational read.

[Dwight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting, elaborate historical fiction set in the time of China's Maoist revolution.

[Drew]

Peking: A Novel of Chinas Revolution 1921-1978 by Anthony Grey (1988)

[Krist 1966 · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice relaxing

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book although I liked Saigon more but both 5star reads

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Kyle Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic spanning 3 generations, this book manages to have a huge scope wile never losing the pace of the march.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and engaging historical fiction. History of 20th century China was new to me, and the story of a missionary through the time period was engaging.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ultimate booooring read. I liked "Saigon" so much I can't believe it's written by the same author. I read 300+ pages and it's all about the "Long March" in south-west China in the early 1930s. The Long March was a real long ramble, and a real historic event, obviously, but reading about it is painfully dull, especially since interior China's geography is not very clear in my mind and so it's hard to be excited about getting from point A to point B. To add an insult to an injury, the protagonists have zero personality to them. Mei Ling is a frozen zombie that shows no emotion even when her child dies and Jakob is so pious and godly he makes you want to throw up. No texture and nuance whatsoever to these two.
A disappointment!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and researched book. This is a long book but in no way does it drag, the writer incorporates both history and fiction together to make this a most readable book. It didn’t take me months to read but due to the nature of the book I needed a break at times with something more lighthearted. I have read quite a few books on China about this era and this would have to be one of the best.