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schwimfan's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sethlynch's review against another edition
4.0
My star gradings are relative to the book, this gets 4/5 because it's a good piece of pulp fiction. A ripping yard in 1930's London.
thereaderred's review against another edition
2.0
Like the last time I read a Fu Manchu book there's not much new for me to say, but I will try to boil down my thoughts into something more concise, even if it devolves into a series of gifs.
I can't really remember how much it follows on from the last book, but it doesn't matter. The character of Fleurette was introduced in the prior story but is largely absent here because of her capture. Speaking of characters there was two things I picked up about Nayland Smith and the chief inspector accompanying him. Apparently they're both strung out all the time because their sentences start or end with:
'Nayland Smith snapped'
or:
'Gallaho growled'
Literally most of the book was punctuated with those phrases and if anything is gonna stick in my mind about it then it will be these few lines.
I can't fault it too much because Smith carries the full weight of the plot on his back, and I really felt it when focus was shifted off him to other less important characters. Sterling (who I'm pretty sure was the main guy in the last novel) is a complete blank slate. Now I know it seems like a nitpick considering characterisation is not Rohmer's strong suit, but he literally contributes nothing to the story, despite what his backstory in botany might have you believe. Even the various plods, who are only there for show to make Smith look good, come in sometimes to lend a hand.
Fu Manchu is rarely seen but his scenes outshine even Smith's. He's evil but there's something cordial about him. He treats it as if he's speaking about a business arrangement, and he doesn't go back on his word which you've got to respect. There's a nice moment shared between him and Smith's original partner, Dr. Petrie, which I won't bother to spoil but it's one of the few really interesting parts of the book. That being said it's only a small highlight in what I think is an unremarkable adventure.
I have to be in the right mind to read a Fu Manchu novel, they aren't particularly well told stories, but they are so fun and, like me, if you often struggle to decide on what to read, these will do in a pinch. That is if you can look past their obvious shortcomings.
Can't wait to see what the next book is all about!
I can't really remember how much it follows on from the last book, but it doesn't matter. The character of Fleurette was introduced in the prior story but is largely absent here because of her capture. Speaking of characters there was two things I picked up about Nayland Smith and the chief inspector accompanying him. Apparently they're both strung out all the time because their sentences start or end with:
'Nayland Smith snapped'
or:
'Gallaho growled'
Literally most of the book was punctuated with those phrases and if anything is gonna stick in my mind about it then it will be these few lines.
I can't fault it too much because Smith carries the full weight of the plot on his back, and I really felt it when focus was shifted off him to other less important characters. Sterling (who I'm pretty sure was the main guy in the last novel) is a complete blank slate. Now I know it seems like a nitpick considering characterisation is not Rohmer's strong suit, but he literally contributes nothing to the story, despite what his backstory in botany might have you believe. Even the various plods, who are only there for show to make Smith look good, come in sometimes to lend a hand.
Fu Manchu is rarely seen but his scenes outshine even Smith's. He's evil but there's something cordial about him. He treats it as if he's speaking about a business arrangement, and he doesn't go back on his word which you've got to respect. There's a nice moment shared between him and Smith's original partner, Dr. Petrie, which I won't bother to spoil but it's one of the few really interesting parts of the book. That being said it's only a small highlight in what I think is an unremarkable adventure.
I have to be in the right mind to read a Fu Manchu novel, they aren't particularly well told stories, but they are so fun and, like me, if you often struggle to decide on what to read, these will do in a pinch. That is if you can look past their obvious shortcomings.
Can't wait to see what the next book is all about!
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