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schwimfan's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thereaderred's review against another edition
3.0
Let me preface this by saying that I know most of what to expect from this series, yet I am still surprised. Not because I don't know where the adventure will take us next but rather because...get ready for it...
I ACTUALLY ENJOYED THIS ONE!
Now don't get me wrong I've made it no secret that I find Rohmer to be a one note writer with very limited skill, but I'll be honest I think the writing got better here, let me explain:
The prose is still melodramatic, yet it is not overpowering. Each time before this I dreaded picking up another Fu Manchu because I know that I'd be bombarded by a ton of run on sentences, to the point that I even nicknamed the writing style as “The Purple Peril". It was still there but to a lesser degree, and ran along much smoother I thought. I could understand if it was a drama about the uncaring civil servant who wishes to get to know a well to do noble Chinese man, except it is not: this is an thriller and I wish to be entertained, simple as, and this does exactly what it sets out to achieve.
The characters are starting to come into their own a bit more. Smith, Petrie and Barton get decent coverage as our heroes. Though Smith and Petrie appear fleetingly their presence sort of helps to ground it a bit. Every other supporting character is a block of wood though, including our dear narrator and his wife. That being said the villains are still awesome. Fu Manchu and Fah Lo Suee still bring that exotic mysticism which kept me in suspense on what new plan they devised. Fah Lo Suee only appears in a few brief scenes as the token femme fatale but I can buy that (it also helps that she was played by Myrna Loy), Fu Manchu is just as cunning as always but I really like the chemistry in one scene where he and Smith meet up again, and the prior scene Smith makes a reference to their code of honour. It really adds some dimension to their personalities rather than the Devil Doctor being just another villain of the week.
The ending peters out a bit, and is somewhat of an anticlimax. It's like "We're on a boat now!" before it then goes to "Also a wedding!"
Despite this I enjoyed the final moments where Fu Manchu writes a note to the narrator for congratulating him on his marrage, and sends a necklace to his wife. What a sweetheart!
In short this is the best in the series I've read so far and it done something that none of the others have: It left me wanting more. I'll admit I'm impressed, Mr Rohmer, and for that I'm giving you the slow clap award.
I ACTUALLY ENJOYED THIS ONE!
Now don't get me wrong I've made it no secret that I find Rohmer to be a one note writer with very limited skill, but I'll be honest I think the writing got better here, let me explain:
The prose is still melodramatic, yet it is not overpowering. Each time before this I dreaded picking up another Fu Manchu because I know that I'd be bombarded by a ton of run on sentences, to the point that I even nicknamed the writing style as “The Purple Peril". It was still there but to a lesser degree, and ran along much smoother I thought. I could understand if it was a drama about the uncaring civil servant who wishes to get to know a well to do noble Chinese man, except it is not: this is an thriller and I wish to be entertained, simple as, and this does exactly what it sets out to achieve.
The characters are starting to come into their own a bit more. Smith, Petrie and Barton get decent coverage as our heroes. Though Smith and Petrie appear fleetingly their presence sort of helps to ground it a bit. Every other supporting character is a block of wood though, including our dear narrator and his wife. That being said the villains are still awesome. Fu Manchu and Fah Lo Suee still bring that exotic mysticism which kept me in suspense on what new plan they devised. Fah Lo Suee only appears in a few brief scenes as the token femme fatale but I can buy that (it also helps that she was played by Myrna Loy), Fu Manchu is just as cunning as always but I really like the chemistry in one scene where he and Smith meet up again, and the prior scene Smith makes a reference to their code of honour. It really adds some dimension to their personalities rather than the Devil Doctor being just another villain of the week.
The ending peters out a bit, and is somewhat of an anticlimax. It's like "We're on a boat now!" before it then goes to "Also a wedding!"
Despite this I enjoyed the final moments where Fu Manchu writes a note to the narrator for congratulating him on his marrage, and sends a necklace to his wife. What a sweetheart!
In short this is the best in the series I've read so far and it done something that none of the others have: It left me wanting more. I'll admit I'm impressed, Mr Rohmer, and for that I'm giving you the slow clap award.
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