The Taiping Rebellion

by Shunshin Chin, Joshua A. Fogel

Overview

Written by one of Japan' most popular modern authors, this is a lively, readable, and immensely entertaining fictional portrayal of one of the epochal events of the nineteenth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765601001
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/30/2001
Pages:	720
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Shunshin Chin, Shunshin Chin, Joshua A. Fogel

Table of Contents

This short history of China includes a new preface, additional illustrations and a more reader-friendly format.

Editorial Reviews

Believing that its activities may advance his own interests, influential Chinese merchant Lian Weicai sends his son Liwen to join the subversive Society of God Worshippers. Liwen finds himself increasingly drawn into the society's plans, which eventually entail a full-blown revolt against the Qing dynasty emperor. Such is the plot line that attempts to provide cohesion in this densely written, poorly translated, and apparently unedited historical novel. Born of Taiwanese parents, Chin is a popular, award-winning author in Japan. But it is important to note that his most significant literary awards have been for his popular detective novels and that his only other work to appear in English is the mystery, Murder in a Peking Studio (1986). This overly long historical novel, with its tedious recounting of factual minutiae and frequent repetitive digressions, is not helped by a translator who makes little attempt to render word-for-word translation into readable prose. Not recommended.--Tom Cooper, Richmond Heights Memorial Lib., MO Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Library Journal

Translator Fogel (U. of California, Santa Barbara) brings this sweeping historical novel to English readers in an unabridged format. Chin, a modern Japanese author, portrays the story of a quasi-religious and social movement that attempted to overthrow the Qing dynasty in the 19th century, using the fictional Lian family to tie together a story containing dozens of historical figures, such as Hu Linyi, Feng Yushan, and Lin Zexu. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

An enormous historical by a Japanese bestselling author renowned for such blockbusters as The Opium War, this telling the story of a mid–19thcentury Chinese religious revolution that threatened to topple a repressive dynasty and establish a propertysharing society based on both Christian and Communist principles. Chen energetically interweaves the lives of the fictional Lian family with the exploits and misfortunes of such reallife figures as the rebellion's founder Hong Xiuquian (who proclaims himself Jesus' younger brother), his secular (and militant) counterpart, the wily Feng Yunshan, and Manchu government functionary—and brilliant military tactician—Zeng Guolfan. These are attractive characters, and their stories make for alternately stirring and plodding melodrama, reminiscent of both James Michener and Soviet "historian" Mikhail Sholokhov. But even its best pages are marred by an infelicitous translation riddled with incorrect grammar and syntax ("Although unsigned, the author was apparent from the calligraphy") and what can only be unimaginative literalism ("The road ahead for the Taiping Army to follow was long").

Kirkus Reviews