Reviews

Visto per Shangai by Qiu Xiaolong, Paola Vertuani

mikime's review against another edition

4.0

Trama piacevolmente elaborata, nel contesto di criminalità delle triadi mafiose cinesi e dei loro rapporti di corruzione con la polizia locale. La collaborazione di una Marshal statunitense con l'ispettore Chen offre l'opportunità all'autore di illustrare i rapporti diplomatici tra Cina e Stati Uniti. Non mancano inoltre riferimenti e brevi digressioni interessanti sulla storia e la società cinesi.

jascolib's review against another edition

5.0

I really like Qui Xiaolong's writing and his description of Chinese culture. His description of food is what keeps me intrigued along with a great mystery story.

chava_in_oz's review against another edition

4.0

I'm enjoying these books as audiobooks on my travels. I enjoy the Chinese setting

niwrad93's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

shibosan's review against another edition

3.0

Второй роман из серии приключений старшего полицейского инспектора Чэня Цао. В русском издании идиотское название - "Закон триад".

Герою поручено найти исчезнувшую жену важного свидетеля, который должен давать показания на суде в США. За пропавшей супругой свидетеля прилетела из Штатов федеральный маршал Кэтрин Рон, вместе с которой Чэню и придется разбираться в этом деле, преодолевая политические и культурные различия двух стран. Ну а дело с каждым днем становится все запутаннее и опаснее. Международные контрабандисты, триады, коррумпированные полицейские - прилагаются в комплекте.

Второй роман получился куда более удобоваримым, более легкий язык (или переводчик постарался). Присутствие американской гостьи позволяет куда органичнее вписать в текст множественные исторические и культурные мини-справки, хотя инспектор Чэнь все равно выглядит ходячей википедией.

Но в целом образ героя стал живее, он уже не кажется тем образцовым отличником-пионером с плакатов, каким был в первой части. Политических интриг тоже куда меньше, их сменили коррумпированные китайские полицейские и мафия, которая бессмертна.

В результате получился вполне бодрый полицейский детектив, который вполне легко представить экранизированным - как самими китайцами, так и американцами.

laurakatarooma's review against another edition

4.0

Tää runojen ja sanontojen mukana olo tekee Chen Cao-dekkareiden lukemisesta kerrassaan ihanaa.

teawithhobi's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

graff_fuller's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Again, this series reminds me of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series.

It is dealing with a Communist regime...that I definitely do NOT agree with. The protagonist (Inspector Chen Cao) is a good person, who is trying to be the best person "under the circumstances". 

In this story, he is forced to spend time with Catherine Rohl, a US Marshall tasked to escort a Chinese National to leave China and be united with her husband in the US...but when she arrives in China to escort her out of China, she is told that she is missing. At first she thinks this is a ploy by the Chinese government, but then in time, realizes that she really is missing, possibly abducted/killed.

Inspector Chen and US Marshall Catherine then leave no stone unturned in their effort to find this woman.

I liked the dynamic between Chen and Catherine. Even at the very beginning stages it was obvious that he and her would "possibly" become an item. 

Their enemies to lovers trope was well crafted. 

BUT, I also loved how the story ended. Two for two, but what will happen in book three?

Well, I'll find out in time, too. Will pick the next one up in a little while.

doppy's review against another edition

informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

elisala's review against another edition

3.0

Comme le premier du même auteur, [b:Mort d'une héroïne rouge|218422|Mort d'une héroïne rouge|Qiu Xiaolong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348937833l/218422._SY75_.jpg|1404008], ce roman ne se limite pas du tout à l'intrigue policière: les caractères des personnages, les relations des différents personnages entre eux, la culture chinoise sont aussi essentiels, voire plus que la "simple" intrigue (que je trouve d'ailleurs ici un peu trop compliquée).
Dans ce deuxième tome des aventures de Chen Cao, il est en particulier question des triades et de la révolution culturelle, ce qui m'intéressait d'autant plus que je lisais en parallèle [b:Le petit livre rouge d'un photographe chinois: Li Zengsheng et la révolution culturelle|7623538|Le petit livre rouge d'un photographe chinois Li Zengsheng et la révolution culturelle|Li Zhensheng|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616384960l/7623538._SX50_.jpg|1223963] traitant justement de cette période historique noire de la Chine, les deux livres se mettent réciproquement en perspective, c'était pas fait exprès mais c'est bien intéressant...