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China Shadow
new- copy-quick ship- --b2420
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
38 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Ross
71 books9 followersWilliam Edward Daniel Ross, W. E. Daniel "Dan" Ross (born 1912) is a bestselling Canadian novelist from Saint John, New Brunswick who wrote over 300 books in a variety of genres and under a variety of mostly female pseudonyms such as Laura Frances Brooks, Lydia Colby, Rose Dana, Jan Daniels, Ross Olin, Diane Randall, Clarissa Ross, Leslie Ames, Ruth Dorset, Ann Gilmer, Jane Rossiter, Dan Ross, Dana Ross, Marilyn Ross, Dan Roberts, and W.E.D. Ross. As Marilyn Ross he wrote popular Gothic fiction including a series of novels about the vampire Barnabas Collins based on the American TV series Dark Shadows (1966-71).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 20, 2013
I give it 3.5.
It's often silly & the writing is littered with flaws, but this book has a certain charm. The inclusion of Charles Dickens as a character has made me reconsider the purpose behind such plot devices as the bizarrely comic burial scene (worst funeral ever, y'all), the skeevy madhouse (a staple in 1860s/70s sensational fic), & Flora's unbelievable innocence at the beginning of her adventures (literal & metaphorical virginity is the starting point for most Victorian heroines) -- not to mention (revealed at the last possible moment, but entirely expected if you're familiar with genre tropes). In fact, the more I mull over everything in my mind, the more I suspect a certain purpose behind this one, warts & all. China Shadow isn't a bodice-ripper, & it's barely even a gothic romance -- rather, it's a sensational novel with gothic elements, much like Dickens or Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Taken as a whole, this book is a sloppy homage to penny-dreadful sensation storytelling of the mid-Victorian period.
So...yeah. While it's 'trash' in the sensational sense, with plenty of goofy WTFery to keep the entertainment factor rolling, I do think there's a healthy sense of literary roots & appreciation of Dickens, Braddon, etc. (Lady Dudley's Secret? I SEE WHAT YOU DID THAR, Dan Ross. >:D) I also liked the way the romance was resolved -- a bunnies-and-rainbows HEA wasn't wedged into the plot, but rather we're shown the first glimmer of what will become a HEA after time has passed.
It's unfortunate that Ross's writing isn't up to par with others of his ilk. I don't recommend them to general audiences because the quality varies & the narrative ticks can make a bumpy ride, especially in his longer novels. But I do think the sprawling Ross oeuvre has merit in the context of campy 70s paperbacks. His style is something of an acquired taste, like chai tea without milk. (And yes, I love chai without milk. Don't judge.)
It's often silly & the writing is littered with flaws, but this book has a certain charm. The inclusion of Charles Dickens as a character has made me reconsider the purpose behind such plot devices as the bizarrely comic burial scene (worst funeral ever, y'all), the skeevy madhouse (a staple in 1860s/70s sensational fic), & Flora's unbelievable innocence at the beginning of her adventures (literal & metaphorical virginity is the starting point for most Victorian heroines) -- not to mention (revealed at the last possible moment, but entirely expected if you're familiar with genre tropes). In fact, the more I mull over everything in my mind, the more I suspect a certain purpose behind this one, warts & all. China Shadow isn't a bodice-ripper, & it's barely even a gothic romance -- rather, it's a sensational novel with gothic elements, much like Dickens or Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Taken as a whole, this book is a sloppy homage to penny-dreadful sensation storytelling of the mid-Victorian period.
So...yeah. While it's 'trash' in the sensational sense, with plenty of goofy WTFery to keep the entertainment factor rolling, I do think there's a healthy sense of literary roots & appreciation of Dickens, Braddon, etc. (Lady Dudley's Secret? I SEE WHAT YOU DID THAR, Dan Ross. >:D) I also liked the way the romance was resolved -- a bunnies-and-rainbows HEA wasn't wedged into the plot, but rather we're shown the first glimmer of what will become a HEA after time has passed.
It's unfortunate that Ross's writing isn't up to par with others of his ilk. I don't recommend them to general audiences because the quality varies & the narrative ticks can make a bumpy ride, especially in his longer novels. But I do think the sprawling Ross oeuvre has merit in the context of campy 70s paperbacks. His style is something of an acquired taste, like chai tea without milk. (And yes, I love chai without milk. Don't judge.)
March 22, 2013
DNF. Really tried to get into this one, but the dialogue was stilted, the hero was a mega-beta (blech), and some of the plot contrivences were too ridiculous even for a 1970's gothic.
If you're looking for a good gothic with an oriental overtones, I recommend Moondragon by Noel Vreeland Carter instead.
Not even the hero's last name could save this one...
If you're looking for a good gothic with an oriental overtones, I recommend Moondragon by Noel Vreeland Carter instead.
Not even the hero's last name could save this one...
June 29, 2025
It was given to me. I felt obliged to read it. Don't do it.
September 27, 2015
I did not like this at all. I could figure out who the heroine was as it was obvious but if Henry was supposed to be the hero he was an utter failure. When I found out what the mystery was I felt utter distaste for him and his family. To be so negligent of the safety of others just to prevent scandal was hideous.
November 27, 2015
I love the old Gothics and this one involves another of my loves - China.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews