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anjanette's review
4.0
Fast paced and informative about a culture I know little about. Very enjoyable.
stefhyena's review against another edition
1.0
This was a disappointing read. I do love that it was book-ended by Hulan rather than the really irritating and passively arrogant David Stark. The romance of the two (if you can call it that when it has elements of abuse in it) gets in the way of what in some ways is a good story-puzzle. I predicted the twists but I have been reading crime fiction for years and I think in some ways they were well structured. What I didn't enjoy was the descriptions of various gruesome crime scenes (luckily these scenes were kept short and not dwelt on), I am not fond of too much creativity in killing methods.
Back to Stark, he is immediately introduced as a very selfish person, whose relationship has broken down because of his coldness and absence, but he seems to feel hard-done by because his ex-wife didn't choose to try to save the marriage by having children he would probably be as absent to as he was to her. Considering they both have careers and he feels like she was small minded for not honouring more his commitment to his, the idea of bringing children into the situation seems ludicrously selfish even for a 90s American white male. And the narrative of the book alludes to this again later in passing, both times completely uncritically, we are meant as readers to take it as reasonable.
Then the way capitalism in the story is presented as a good thing that improves and saves lives (see e.g. p55 "He's bringin modern technology to the countryside and rewarding people who work hard". Actually it is pretty obvious to almost anyone that the lack of labour laws in China (ironic considering the communism) mean that most Chinese poor people work hard and DON'T get anything that could be glorified by the term "reward". This glorification of capitalism is at times undermined, with for example admissions of how the US profits from the Chinese political situation. And at the same time the very descriptive and as far as I know probably accurate descriptions of life under the communist regime argue convincingly that China's answer to poverty and exploitation didn't work too well. But the constant presence of Stark as a white American male who is casual about his privilege over others (for example he keeps pushing Hulan for relationship even when she is saying "no", later he does not listen to her ideas when she knows more about it than he does, he abuses her as "corrupt...foul...revolting"p262 after grabbing her violently and then next chapter redundantly claims "I love you Hulan...nothing you could say or do would ever change that" p277 and suddenly they are closer than ever? Albeit that he STILL refuses to listen to her.
That "relationship" more than anything else ruined any enjoyment I could have drawn from the story but I felt there were a lot of contradictions around sexual (im)morality, corruption, wealth and class. Hulan seemed at first to be likely to be a feminst heroine, having refused to be just a tea pourer and worked herself through the glass ceiling into a decent sort of a job, but she still plays her femininity in a cringing way which the book accepts as natural and unproblematic, and she is also an individual in a very male-centred book (albeit by a female author).
I got this book second hand for $3, and for the price I appreciate some of the cultural and historical learning about China. It is a pity how little I liked the characters, and the extent to which the author chose to foreground Stark even against the more interesting Hulan.
Back to Stark, he is immediately introduced as a very selfish person, whose relationship has broken down because of his coldness and absence, but he seems to feel hard-done by because his ex-wife didn't choose to try to save the marriage by having children he would probably be as absent to as he was to her. Considering they both have careers and he feels like she was small minded for not honouring more his commitment to his, the idea of bringing children into the situation seems ludicrously selfish even for a 90s American white male. And the narrative of the book alludes to this again later in passing, both times completely uncritically, we are meant as readers to take it as reasonable.
Then the way capitalism in the story is presented as a good thing that improves and saves lives (see e.g. p55 "He's bringin modern technology to the countryside and rewarding people who work hard". Actually it is pretty obvious to almost anyone that the lack of labour laws in China (ironic considering the communism) mean that most Chinese poor people work hard and DON'T get anything that could be glorified by the term "reward". This glorification of capitalism is at times undermined, with for example admissions of how the US profits from the Chinese political situation. And at the same time the very descriptive and as far as I know probably accurate descriptions of life under the communist regime argue convincingly that China's answer to poverty and exploitation didn't work too well. But the constant presence of Stark as a white American male who is casual about his privilege over others (for example he keeps pushing Hulan for relationship even when she is saying "no", later he does not listen to her ideas when she knows more about it than he does, he abuses her as "corrupt...foul...revolting"p262 after grabbing her violently and then next chapter redundantly claims "I love you Hulan...nothing you could say or do would ever change that" p277 and suddenly they are closer than ever? Albeit that he STILL refuses to listen to her.
That "relationship" more than anything else ruined any enjoyment I could have drawn from the story but I felt there were a lot of contradictions around sexual (im)morality, corruption, wealth and class. Hulan seemed at first to be likely to be a feminst heroine, having refused to be just a tea pourer and worked herself through the glass ceiling into a decent sort of a job, but she still plays her femininity in a cringing way which the book accepts as natural and unproblematic, and she is also an individual in a very male-centred book (albeit by a female author).
I got this book second hand for $3, and for the price I appreciate some of the cultural and historical learning about China. It is a pity how little I liked the characters, and the extent to which the author chose to foreground Stark even against the more interesting Hulan.
chyneyee's review
3.0
The interesting part of this thriller is the differences between Chinese and Western culture and the story which sets during the Deng Xiaoping’s reign are clearly presented by the author to the readers. From the story, we can understand more about the life of Chinese people during Deng Xiaoping’s reign and also the political view at that time. This story is worth for reading if you are interested in stories related to Chinese history, politics and culture.
https://chyneyee.com/2013/08/20/flower-net-red-princess-1-lisa-see/
https://chyneyee.com/2013/08/20/flower-net-red-princess-1-lisa-see/
francescamoroney's review against another edition
2.0
Fairly decent for a beach read, but ultimately in satisfying.
gretlulu's review against another edition
4.0
Nothing is clear
Twists,turns, a little sappy but you will be surprised.No one in this story is what it seems.
Enjoy reading it!
Twists,turns, a little sappy but you will be surprised.No one in this story is what it seems.
Enjoy reading it!
summermsmith's review
4.0
This is the 1st of the Red Princess series of mystery novels about the U.S & China. Liu Hulan & David Stark are put together to investigate The Rising Phoenix gang and two murders that are very similar to each other; one found in China and one found in the U.S. Liu & David embark on a bi-continential adventure that leads to a surprising ending.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Lisa See's talent to weave the culture and history of China into a story so flawlessly, and then make it an action packed, mystery, romance, what a great combination. I can't wait to read the other two in the series.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Lisa See's talent to weave the culture and history of China into a story so flawlessly, and then make it an action packed, mystery, romance, what a great combination. I can't wait to read the other two in the series.
whitney210's review
3.0
I liked this book, it was hard to get through though... I enjoyed the stories and the characters, but found myself getting distracted by keeping them all straight...
cleng's review against another edition
4.0
Ms See has written some wonderful historical novels and now she has treated us to a contemporary mystery series with engaging characters and insightful perspectives on modern China. I will definitely continue this series!
emilyjc's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
angkniery5's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as Snow Flower and the Secret fan but a decent historical fiction/murder mystery. Quick read