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French Concession
French Concession | Xiao Bai
8 posts | 3 read | 7 to read
Shanghai 1931: a mesmerizing era of revolution, money and adventure, this Chinese novel - marking Xiao Bais English-language debut - is a heart-stopping literary noir. A boat arrives in Shanghai harbor to the raucous sound of firecrackers. An important official in the Nationalist Party has returned from Hong Kong, accompanied by his striking wife, Leng. An assassin suddenly appears, firing three bullets before killing himself. Leng disappears in the ensuing chaos. Hseuh, a Franco-Chinese photographer, is captivated by Lengs beauty. But he has his own problems: he suspects that his White Russian lover, Therese, is cheating. When Hseuh is arrested in the French Concession and forced to become a police spy, he realizes that in the seamy, devious world of Shanghai, no one is who they appear. Therese is secretly an arms dealer, supplying Shanghais gangs, while Leng, has her own ties to a menacing new gang, one led by a charismatic Communist whose acts of terrorism could have a devastating impact on the entire country. Soon Hseuh is forced to play both sides, spinning his own lies in a feverish struggle to stay alive.
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review
Thebooky
Mehso-so

French Concession has an intriguing premise based on the politics and events of Shanghai in 1931. A treat for those with an interest in the era. Sadly, the writing (or the translation, not sure which) makes this a challenging book. The casual reader would be right to be put off by the two page List of Characters that promises a complicated plot with many players. The rest of us will soldier on only to be left with an ending that falls flat.

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BiblioNyan
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Check out this historical fiction novel that's steeped in intricate political intrigue, espionage, assassinations, and mysterious plot lines to keep you guessing!! Also, that cover is just 😍😍!!

#ownvoices #diversebooks #frenchconcession #xiaobai #litsygram

JazzFeathers Fine, you've convinced me 😆 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Looks really good!! 7y
8 likes2 comments
review
prowlix
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Pickpick

This book is inspired by some fragments of archived documents! There's a coerced spy, arms dealers, Communist cell and assassinations all taking place in 1930 Shanghai. It's fast paced and overall a fun read! Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction or spy novels. 3.5 ⭐️

#China #translation #historicalfiction

30 likes1 stack add
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prowlix
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Happy Friday Littens! 🍻Tonight I'm relaxing, digging into this (which is twisty and great!), and an adult beverage! I'm off for a few days next week so hopefully there will be more of these pictures in the next few days! #booksandbrews

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prowlix
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This book begins with an assassination and a huge cast of characters who are not really introduced. So far I'm intrigued but confused. I keep turning to the provided list and hoping they give some backstory!

#translation #China

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prowlix
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Second part of my library #bookhaul - I picked up some possible options for #X in the #LitsyAtoZ challenge! One is a historical fiction about 1930s Shanghai and the other is a collection of retellings classic myths! I have high hopes for both 📚

#LibraryLove

lovelybookshelf Oooh I enjoyed xo Orpheus so much! 8y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BiblioNyan
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Spontaneous gift from the BF at Seattle airport. He knows my addictions so well, haha. French Concession takes place in 1930s Shanghai and is a story about war, family, and friendship. There's also love and cultural exploration!
📘🎁🎈☔️
#diversebooks #chineseliterature #asianliterature #rainydaybook #fictionliterature #culturalfiction #historicalfiction #warfiction

WOCreads Oooh that sounds fantastic! Adding to my tbr📚📚 Ur BF has excellent taste😁👌 8y
BiblioNyan Haha, thanks! 😁 He knows my obsession for Asian lit quite well, so he always keeps an eye out. 8y
6 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Matilda
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One of my TBR books I've been excited about which I finally bought--so starting it while I eat lunch. (I really need to stop confusing the title with the store French Connection.)

squibblesreads omg I neeeeeed this! 😍 9y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment