A review  of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 20th of October 2023

5 stars out of 5 

Tony Henderson’s The Shanghai Circle is an enthralling and suspenseful novel that unfolds in Shanghai, China, during the late 1930s. The narrative immerses readers in the lives of a youthful taipan, a triad leader, and a Russian character as they eventually relocate to Hong Kong due to the imminent Japanese invasion of Shanghai. Davina Guest finds herself burdened with the responsibility of managing her father’s trading house as she endeavours to achieve success despite the challenges she faces as a young female taipan.

She also confronts unforeseen threats on her path. Joseph Cheung embarks on a journey to master the ways of leading the Sung Triad society, a long-standing criminal organization in both Shanghai and Hong Kong. Furthermore, he carries the weight of an unfinished family legacy. Irina, a striking young Russian woman, seeks to begin anew in Hong Kong, surmounting the obstacles she previously encountered. The author’s brilliance shines as he introduces these compelling characters into real historical events, offering intricate insights into their preparations and strategies for survival amidst the impending political upheaval. The narrative also highlights the profound impact of crime, climate change, war, and political instability on the lives and possessions of individuals.

The reason I love this book is its compelling storyline, which offers a captivating glimpse into the world of pre-invasion Shanghai, complete with themes of power, survival, grief, suspense, and romance. The historical insights it provides about this era in Shanghai have deepened my appreciation for the period. Moreover, the author’s skilful storytelling creates a gripping narrative that keeps me eagerly turning the pages. What truly seals my love for this book is the way the author weaves together a cast of fascinating characters, making their interconnected stories a key factor in my enjoyment of the book.

I can’t say there was anything I disliked about the book, but I must admit that memorizing the names of some characters presented a minor challenge. They somehow sounded alike and were initially a bit confusing, leading me to backtrack a few times to recollect. Aside from this minor issue, the book was exceptionally well-edited and error-free. I highly recommend it to history enthusiasts since, despite its historical focus, the writer managed to make it engaging and enjoyable for readers.

I gave this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The reason for this top rating is that the book offers a captivating storyline that delves into the world of pre-invasion Shanghai, exploring a range of compelling themes such as power, survival, grief, suspense, and romance. The historical insights embedded in the narrative provided a deeper understanding of the era, making it not only an enjoyable read but also an informative one. Despite minor challenges related to memorizing certain character names, the flawless and error-free writing style kept me thoroughly engaged. The way the author interweaved the stories of the intriguing characters added to the overall enjoyment of the book. I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially to history enthusiasts, as it manages to combine historical content with an engaging narrative that makes it an outstanding read.