Historical

China

China

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  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-07-10 06:51:31
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Edward Rutherfurd
  • ISBN：1444787837
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

The internationally bestselling author of Paris and New York takes on an exhilarating new world with his trademark epic style in China: The Novel

Edward Rutherfurd has enthralled millions of readers with his grand， sweeping historical sagas that tell the history of a famous place over multiple generations。 Now， in China: The Novel， Rutherfurd takes readers into the rich and fascinating milieu of the Middle Kingdom。
The story begins in 1839， at the dawn of the First Opium War， and follows Chinese history through Mao's Cultural Revolution and up to the present day。 Rutherfurd chronicles the rising and falling fortunes of members of Chinese， British， and American families， as they negotiate the tides of history。 Along the way， in his signature style， Rutherfurd provides a deeply researched portrait of Chinese history and society， its ancient traditions and great upheavals， and China's emergence as a rising global power。 As always， we are treated to romance and adventure， heroines and scoundrels， grinding struggle and incredible fortunes。
China: The Novel brings to life the rich terrain of this vast and constantly evolving country。 From Shanghai to Nanking to the Great Wall， Rutherfurd chronicles the turbulent rise and fall of empires as the colonial West meets the opulent and complex East in a dramatic struggle between cultures and people。
Extraordinarily researched and majestically told， Edward Rutherfurd paints a thrilling portrait of one of the most singular and remarkable countries in the world。

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Reviews

Samantha ，

A historical fiction account of China from the Opium Wars until the fall of Empress Cixi in 1875。 I was unimpressed by the writing， characterisations and the disjointedness of the story。 Whilst many historical events are encapsulated in the book they are not covered in great detail yet the book is unnecessarily long。

Prince ，

All thanks to Dr ekpoma for helping me to get my penis longer and bigger with his cream in just two week his cream is very active and also it work fast for everyone who have used his， the best thing about his herbal cream is that it does not have side effects and the results is permanent cream note he can also cure the below sicknesses and diseasePREMATURE EJACULATIONLOW SPERM COUNTERECTILE DYSFUNCTIONHIV/AIDS CUREHERPES CUREINFECTION CUREPILESTROKEHEART FAILURECANCER email him via: （drekpoma77t All thanks to Dr ekpoma for helping me to get my penis longer and bigger with his cream in just two week his cream is very active and also it work fast for everyone who have used his， the best thing about his herbal cream is that it does not have side effects and the results is permanent cream note he can also cure the below sicknesses and diseasePREMATURE EJACULATIONLOW SPERM COUNTERECTILE DYSFUNCTIONHIV/AIDS CUREHERPES CUREINFECTION CUREPILESTROKEHEART FAILURECANCER email him via: （drekpoma77temple@gmail。com） or WhatsApp him （+2348139206346）。Carl 。。。more

Julie ，

I love the historic epic novels that Edward Rutherfurd and James Michener have written。 This one did not disappoint either。 The cast is varied and extremely interesting。 The time period is a bombshell moving into the 1900's。 My only regret is that the time frame is so small in China's vast history。 It soon became apparent that to write a book about the WHOLE history of China in the Rutherfurd fashion is impossible。 Sigh。 I love the historic epic novels that Edward Rutherfurd and James Michener have written。 This one did not disappoint either。 The cast is varied and extremely interesting。 The time period is a bombshell moving into the 1900's。 My only regret is that the time frame is so small in China's vast history。 It soon became apparent that to write a book about the WHOLE history of China in the Rutherfurd fashion is impossible。 Sigh。 。。。more

Helen Castrucci ，

While this book is long， the author is able to maintain the reader’s interest the entire story。 When I was beginning to tire of one topic or event， the author skillfully moves to another abandoned the reader soon finds how all these events are related。 I had a little trouble keeping some of the characters straight， I soon was able to sort them。

Barb Thompson ，

I listened to this book on audio which was read by several gifted readers who brought Rutherfurd‘S story to life。 However the story was disappointing as China has such a rich history and he focused on a period less than 100 years。 In the development of the characters there was too many pages spent in mundane activities… such as feet binding。 I enjoyed New York， London and Paris and felt the story of China could be told more effectively。

Beth ，

His previous novels kept the same family lines throughout and went through hundreds or even more years of history within the particular country。 I was hoping to find the same with this one。 Instead， there were some stories that continued through 2 or 3 generations of a family but then there was nothing more about them。 There were various families and I kept waiting for them to somehow intersect later in the book but they never did。This book very quickly summarized the early history of the Chines His previous novels kept the same family lines throughout and went through hundreds or even more years of history within the particular country。 I was hoping to find the same with this one。 Instead， there were some stories that continued through 2 or 3 generations of a family but then there was nothing more about them。 There were various families and I kept waiting for them to somehow intersect later in the book but they never did。This book very quickly summarized the early history of the Chinese dynasties and clans， but the stories really took place within approximately 100 year period or less。 Also， it was as much and at times even more so about British and other European family lines in China rather than Chinese。 。。。more

John ，

Worth the time -- entertaining -- great historical fiction。

Jowat3cableone。Net watson ，

I love Edward Rutherfurd books。 However， I didn't find myself "connecting" with this newest historical novel。 A great look at how China ruled and the oppressive nature it's women had to bear。 A country steeped in cultural rites in everything they did。 A good book， just not a great book for me。 I love Edward Rutherfurd books。 However， I didn't find myself "connecting" with this newest historical novel。 A great look at how China ruled and the oppressive nature it's women had to bear。 A country steeped in cultural rites in everything they did。 A good book， just not a great book for me。 。。。more

Dayle ，

So much history to cover that this must be， perforce， a novel covering only about seventy years of the Chinese and "barbarian" interactions but an excellent story that kept me turning the pages。 This also has a nice little twist at the end that satisfies！ So much history to cover that this must be， perforce， a novel covering only about seventy years of the Chinese and "barbarian" interactions but an excellent story that kept me turning the pages。 This also has a nice little twist at the end that satisfies！ 。。。more

Marie Z Johansen ，

I have never met a book by Edward Rutherfurd that I did not love and “China” was no exception。 I know very little about China in general， and even less about the country’s history。 As I did some research as I read this book I learned！ The Ming dynasty， The Opium Wars， Empress Cixi， the Boxer Rebellion and so much more are all featured in the book that follows the lives of of very well crafted （as always！） characters as they rise and and fall along with the history of the country。 I could brely p I have never met a book by Edward Rutherfurd that I did not love and “China” was no exception。 I know very little about China in general， and even less about the country’s history。 As I did some research as I read this book I learned！ The Ming dynasty， The Opium Wars， Empress Cixi， the Boxer Rebellion and so much more are all featured in the book that follows the lives of of very well crafted （as always！） characters as they rise and and fall along with the history of the country。 I could brely put the book down to sleep！Edward Rutherfurd’s books always make me want to dig into my history books to learn more about his subjects and his stories always manage to mesmerize me。 He is one of a handful of favorite authors whose hefty books （the thicker the better imho） draw me in and invite me to sit， read and enjoy。 The only problem I have is that they always end too soon leaving me to wonder what the next book will be about and hoping that the wait won’t be too ling！ 。。。more

Cindy Prost ，

While I ws a big fan of Rutherfurd’s other books， this did not keep my interest。 I do not know if it was because the characters were not that developed or that the book jumped around between characters， but I had difficulty caring about what was happening。 I did learn more about China from the novel and since I had been to many of the places featured in the book， I did enjoy those descriptions。 But I was disappointed with the novel。

Dawn Clarke ，

Focused on the opium era China's history。 I quite enjoyed it。 The characters are engaging。 It left me wanting more！ Focused on the opium era China's history。 I quite enjoyed it。 The characters are engaging。 It left me wanting more！ 。。。more

Peter Mellalieu ，

Fabulous。 Informative。 Engaging。 Rich。

Kris Taylor ，

So I'm a sucker for Rutherford's epic historical novels -- Russka and Lonon are two of my alltime favorites。 When I heard he'd taken on China， therefore， I was ready to cover thousands of years of Chinese history as only Rutherfurd can do！ This one's different， though -- where the others cover hundreds of years， generation after generation， this one focuses on several different lives， but all within one generation - centered around the final years of the Qing dynasty， just as it is opened to the So I'm a sucker for Rutherford's epic historical novels -- Russka and Lonon are two of my alltime favorites。 When I heard he'd taken on China， therefore， I was ready to cover thousands of years of Chinese history as only Rutherfurd can do！ This one's different， though -- where the others cover hundreds of years， generation after generation， this one focuses on several different lives， but all within one generation - centered around the final years of the Qing dynasty， just as it is opened to the world （against its will）。 The story focuses on the lives of a series of different characters， jumping between them at times and overlapping at times， which allows Rutherfurd to paint a picture of the key events of the age from all sides。 The novel begins with the ethical dilemmas of the British Opium Trade， follows through the Opium Wars， hopscotches over the intervening years mainly by switching focus to a Chinese Eunuch's story， and then ends with the Boxer Rebellion。 **Review under construction ** 。。。more

Ebonie Macleod ，

Edward Rutherfurd is unparalleled as the emperor of epic historical fiction。 A remarkable work

Ellen ，

Historical fiction”lite” but easy to read。 Covered multiple perspectives， from a peasant to an Empress。 Learned a lot about China from about 1840 to 1900。

Suzanne （suz&mark） ，

I really enjoyed this- not necessarily a 5 star book for me though。 I’m so fascinated that real historical figures are part of this book - like empress Cixi - who I knew nothing about。

Alison Starnes ，

This is a vast historical novel， based on real events that took place in China between 1839 and 1903。Several characters are introduced in the course of the novel， including British merchant John Trader， his missionary cousin Cecil Whiteparish， a Chinese eunuch Lacquer Nail， a peasant woman Mei-Ling， a soldier Guanji， and an administrator Shi-Rong。 At certain points， their stories intertwine。 All play out against the backdrop of the Opium Wars， the Taiping rebellion， and finally the Boxer rebelli This is a vast historical novel， based on real events that took place in China between 1839 and 1903。Several characters are introduced in the course of the novel， including British merchant John Trader， his missionary cousin Cecil Whiteparish， a Chinese eunuch Lacquer Nail， a peasant woman Mei-Ling， a soldier Guanji， and an administrator Shi-Rong。 At certain points， their stories intertwine。 All play out against the backdrop of the Opium Wars， the Taiping rebellion， and finally the Boxer rebellion and its aftermath。Edward Rutherfurd weaves his narrative skilfully between the main characters， and is able to convey the differences of culture and belief that cause so much of the disaffection between China and the outsiders they view as barbarians。I particularly enjoyed the stories of Lacquer Nail and Mei-Ling， but all the stories sustained their interest。 John Trader is the main character， who seems almost peripheral at the start but takes on a more central role as events progress。For anyone interested in Chinese culture and history， this novel would be a good place to start。I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Hodder & Stoughton， in return for an honest appraisal。 。。。more

Elissa ，

So long！

Jane ，

This didn’t live up to Rutherford’s previous books like New York and Paris。 It didn’t quite have the breadth or the characters。 Still， I learned much about the Opium Wars for sure。

Sandie ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Love Rutherfurd's books but this novel does not go to present day，or even the cultural revolution， as described。 Unlike his his other novels this focuses on the 19th century。 Still wonderful Love Rutherfurd's books but this novel does not go to present day，or even the cultural revolution， as described。 Unlike his his other novels this focuses on the 19th century。 Still wonderful 。。。more

John Sinclair ，

BOOK REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️I’m being generous due to my fondness for Rutherfurd （one ⭐️ is for him。） I struggled with this from the beginning， kept putting it down， and finally did a skim of the last third。 It just did not hold my attention， and that’s a major disappointment。#bibliophile #book #bookish #booklover #books #books2021 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookworm #goodreads #homelibrary #instabook #instabooks #reader #readers #reading #readingroom #readersofinstag BOOK REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️I’m being generous due to my fondness for Rutherfurd （one ⭐️ is for him。） I struggled with this from the beginning， kept putting it down， and finally did a skim of the last third。 It just did not hold my attention， and that’s a major disappointment。#bibliophile #book #bookish #booklover #books #books2021 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookworm #goodreads #homelibrary #instabook #instabooks #reader #readers #reading #readingroom #readersofinstagram #tbr #currentlyreading #bookreview2021📚 46/84 。。。more

Elizabeth Sulzby ，

I have now read all of Edward Rutherfurd's novels， starting with Russka and ending with China。 I did not have google when I read Russka and am very glad that I did for China。 Also thankful for the brief epilogue by the author。 The story of the dowager empress Cixi was amazing and I intend to read the biography of her that Rutherfurd mentions。I remember reading about the Boxer Revolution as a child forced to attend Methodist "sunday school" but I really did not understand much about it except tha I have now read all of Edward Rutherfurd's novels， starting with Russka and ending with China。 I did not have google when I read Russka and am very glad that I did for China。 Also thankful for the brief epilogue by the author。 The story of the dowager empress Cixi was amazing and I intend to read the biography of her that Rutherfurd mentions。I remember reading about the Boxer Revolution as a child forced to attend Methodist "sunday school" but I really did not understand much about it except that they attacked the protestant missionaries。 （I don't remember the Catholics being mentioned。） The way that Rutherfurd describes the long siege of the missionaries， converts， and foreign leaders was terrifying to me。 And John Trader was a fascinating character all the way through the book。Another fascinating character was Mei-Ling and her rescue of her daughter was totally unexpected--and more motivated by the death of "Little Brother" Nio。 And Rutherfurd never let us know whether the wayward daughter later came to the bad end predicted in Mei-Ling's dream。My disappointment in the book was that it seemed to be more a story of the foreigners （Barbarians） than of China and it was only the period of China's history surrounding Cixi even though the characters refer to Buddhism and Confusianism and also to different rulers from different parts of the empire。 。。。more

Penny ，

An epic novel in all senses of the word。 Learned alot。 Was engrossed with the multiple plot lines。 What more can you ask from a book？

Jim Bullington ，

As always， Rutherfurd makes history fascinating while giving you a view of the identity of the country he is writing about。 We all need to try to understand China if we don't all want Chinese to be our national language。 My next book is about the communist era。 The White Boned Demon， a biography of Madame Mao Zedong。 Another recommendation would be Taipan by James Clavell。 it is about the founding of Hong Kong。 I have read it three times。 Clavell did a follow up in 1981 called Noble House。 It is As always， Rutherfurd makes history fascinating while giving you a view of the identity of the country he is writing about。 We all need to try to understand China if we don't all want Chinese to be our national language。 My next book is about the communist era。 The White Boned Demon， a biography of Madame Mao Zedong。 Another recommendation would be Taipan by James Clavell。 it is about the founding of Hong Kong。 I have read it three times。 Clavell did a follow up in 1981 called Noble House。 It is about modern Hong Kong and predicts what has come to pass。 。。。more

Lacey Marie ，

I am not usually a fan of historical fiction but I really enjoyed this one。 Maybe it was seeing both sides or an era I know very little about？ Though 1 woman's voice was not enough in such an epic tale。 I would highly suggest brushup on the different ethnic groups of China before reading。 I am not usually a fan of historical fiction but I really enjoyed this one。 Maybe it was seeing both sides or an era I know very little about？ Though 1 woman's voice was not enough in such an epic tale。 I would highly suggest brushup on the different ethnic groups of China before reading。 。。。more

Loretta ，

3。5 rounded up。 Not like his other books that take the reader through the entire history of a city and link generations as that place changes and grows。 This book spanned about 80 years and detailed the effect of outsiders and the opium trade on China。 Thus bringing about the fall of Chinese dynastic rule。 It was really interesting but not as engaging as his other works。 Of course the huge country of China would be an epic undertaking if following Rutherfurd’s style in his other novels so his ch 3。5 rounded up。 Not like his other books that take the reader through the entire history of a city and link generations as that place changes and grows。 This book spanned about 80 years and detailed the effect of outsiders and the opium trade on China。 Thus bringing about the fall of Chinese dynastic rule。 It was really interesting but not as engaging as his other works。 Of course the huge country of China would be an epic undertaking if following Rutherfurd’s style in his other novels so his choice makes sense。 I enjoyed China but this story is not what I anticipated from this author。 。。。more

Colleen Callegari ，

ChinaI have read all of Edward Rutherford 's books。 This book took awhile to get started with the story。 Not like his former literary accomplishments。 Sarum was his first book I read 30 years ago。 I loved it and was anxious to read more of his work。 I waited patiently for China but it didn't 。meet up to my expectations。 ChinaI have read all of Edward Rutherford 's books。 This book took awhile to get started with the story。 Not like his former literary accomplishments。 Sarum was his first book I read 30 years ago。 I loved it and was anxious to read more of his work。 I waited patiently for China but it didn't 。meet up to my expectations。 。。。more

Dana Brittan ，

This is like 5 different historical fiction novels all put together in to one。

Mónica C ，

I really enjoyed it - it’s characters are vivid， distinctive and beliable， and I love how the different points of view give you a broader vision

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=China

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=China&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,China&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0