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gifflesnooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.0
mercey's review against another edition
1.0
This book did not attest to Ruth Rendell’s writing, so it wasn’t my smartest choice for a break into her work. Essentially, I needed a book published 15 years before I was born for a reading challenge, and because I’ve been meaning to read Rendell’s work for years it seemed fortuitous that she had published this in 1984. However, I suspected ‘The Speaker of Mandarin’ would be dicey from reviews and also the context of the time it was written so, while this won’t be my last Rendell, I won’t be rating it very high.
The writing was fine, immersive and powerful—at times haunting—but I couldn’t get past the poor representation of the Chinese characters and culture. There are better crime novels written by extraordinary Chinese voices to read nowadays, so I’ll be reading those instead. I’ll be more scrupulous when I choose my next Rendell so as to avoid such disappointment in future.
Some crime authors I suggest reading for positive Chinese representation are Diane Wei Liang, Grace D. Li, Susan Barker, and Qiu Xiaolong. Their books are incredible and I promise you won’t be cringing at racist overtones from the viewpoint narrator while you read.
Madi
The writing was fine, immersive and powerful—at times haunting—but I couldn’t get past the poor representation of the Chinese characters and culture. There are better crime novels written by extraordinary Chinese voices to read nowadays, so I’ll be reading those instead. I’ll be more scrupulous when I choose my next Rendell so as to avoid such disappointment in future.
Some crime authors I suggest reading for positive Chinese representation are Diane Wei Liang, Grace D. Li, Susan Barker, and Qiu Xiaolong. Their books are incredible and I promise you won’t be cringing at racist overtones from the viewpoint narrator while you read.
Madi
laila4343's review against another edition
2.0
My least favorite Inspector Wexford title so far. I didn't really get into it until the last third of the book, which is unusual for me. I think the first third of the book, which is set in China - a departure from the norm - distracted me.
ianl1963's review against another edition
2.0
Audiobook, reader Michael Bryant; for me personally awful.
Really detracted from book, all seemed rather rushed.
Really detracted from book, all seemed rather rushed.
brandt_sch's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a typical Wexford, although the crimes are sparked by events that happened in China, during a visit Wexford was able to make there. He met a tour group there including some people from near his jurisdiction. The China sequences in the beginning make it a lot slower than a typical Wexford novel.
1mpossiblealice's review against another edition
3.5
This is a bit of an unusual Wexford, as the first section is set in China and is quite weird. Once we move back to the UK it feels more of a standard Wexford, and it's fine - an enjoyable mystery, but not one of the best. And marred slightly by some racist language which I thought would have been unacceptable even in the 80s, but apparently not.
I'm thinking 3.5 stars, but bear in mind I'm rating it against other Ruth Rendell books, she's still better than many other crime writers even when she's just OK.
I did enjoy the meaning of the title though.
I'm thinking 3.5 stars, but bear in mind I'm rating it against other Ruth Rendell books, she's still better than many other crime writers even when she's just OK.
I did enjoy the meaning of the title though.
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
The way this book starts is a bit disconcerting because it seems almost horror-like. The Inspector takes a trip to China and green tea visions ensue. The rest of the book is more traditional British mystery format with a death of someone familiar and many connections to the China trip. Overall, a slight step outside the usual pattern, and I think it works to make this different from the typical murder mystery.
davidlz1's review against another edition
3.0
This story was a classically composed 'whodunit' with many twists and turns. The classic Inspector Wexford is assigned to solve the case. Ms. Rendell does an excellent job of throwing out paths that are dead ends for the reader yet are entertaining and loosely tied to the overall story as well. Certainly not a highly complicated book but certainly an enjoyable and read. The novel is not written in a highly formal manner which allows for a relaxed reading style.