Scan barcode
savaging's review against another edition
3.0
Despite this book's problems, I feel like everyone should read it before talking about a drug crisis or imperialism or the meaning of Free Trade. We're haunted by the cruelty of racist imperialism, but we remain ignorant of our history and misdiagnose our disease.
But this book was a slow slog after Sea of Poppies. It is largely composed of meetings between businessmen. It doesn't pass the Bechdel Test (though I'm slightly more forgiving of that since it mostly takes place in Canton's foreign enclave, where women weren't allowed).
Maybe this book only exists to set things up for the final book in the trilogy. I just wish it wasn't so long. Long sections describing buildings or reminiscing on seeing Napoleon once. (Ew, Napoleon.)
But this book was a slow slog after Sea of Poppies. It is largely composed of meetings between businessmen. It doesn't pass the Bechdel Test (though I'm slightly more forgiving of that since it mostly takes place in Canton's foreign enclave, where women weren't allowed).
Maybe this book only exists to set things up for the final book in the trilogy. I just wish it wasn't so long. Long sections describing buildings or reminiscing on seeing Napoleon once. (Ew, Napoleon.)
rigzin22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lennartvn's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
I really really really dislike it when half of the plot moves forward through letters instead of dialogue and narration.
tindrajargen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-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
3.75
drjoannehill's review against another edition
5.0
The second of the Ibis trilogy; like Sea of Poppies this covers more history we don't learn in schools (not in England anyway). It's excellent for the richness of languages and cultures brought together across the seas; a celebration of words and communication. Within the beginnings of the Opium Wars, River of Smoke gives us interesting aspects of the arguments around free trade, civilisation and corruption that lie behind the development of the British Empire, stories which are important to remember now when some are trying to put the "glory" of Britain's imperial projects at the centre of school history. Ghosh's novels are some of the most valuable sources for me for learning about the motives for and consequences of turning the map pink.
The story line is perhaps not quite as engaging as Sea of Poppies', though. There are a huge number of characters and stories to read (I'd recommend keeping a note of each character that comes along, because when they came back, I couldn't remember who they were). I am disappointed to learn that the third book in the trilogy is not out yet, so I'll have to wait for that. Well worth reading
The story line is perhaps not quite as engaging as Sea of Poppies', though. There are a huge number of characters and stories to read (I'd recommend keeping a note of each character that comes along, because when they came back, I couldn't remember who they were). I am disappointed to learn that the third book in the trilogy is not out yet, so I'll have to wait for that. Well worth reading
anitaw16's review against another edition
2.0
Having read and loved Sea of Poppies, I was very surprised at how hard it was to get in to this sequel; I almost gave up on it more than once. The second half of the book was more entertaining than the first but I was still disappointed. There were several problems with the novel but the thing that bothered me the most was that the author chose to give us caricatures rather than characters. Perhaps two memorable characters emerged from what felt like a cast of thousands. Having said all of that, I probably will read the third installment and hope that this one was an aberration.
krobart's review against another edition
5.0
The first two thirds of Ghosh's Ibis Trilogy are my great discoveries of the past two years. In this second book of the series, Ghosh stirringly leads us up to the Opium Wars, when British traders kept the Chinese emperor from banning the sale of opium in his own country. The novel features a cast of fascinating characters and is beautifully written.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/river-of-smoke/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/river-of-smoke/
dlrcope's review against another edition
5.0
Intricate descriptions bring to life people, places, and events that make up a fictional re-telling of the opium trade in China before the war. Listen to the audiobook so that you can enjoy all the many accents and characterizations. Like the first book in the series, this book is a rare gem, not to be missed.
ltg61's review against another edition
2.0
What in the hell just happened? Sea Of Poppies was incredible...real, complex characters, a well-paced plot, everything was great...I'm at a loss for words for how disappointing the second installment was.
The optimist in me is hoping this is just a small, boring, albeit necessary piece to a larger picture. I'm hoping I'll be able to appreciate River Of Smoke more when I get around to reading Flood of Fire.
Unfortunately, standing on its own, this book was a drag to get through. The plot really didn't get moving until 300 pages in and the characters basically just stood around doing nothing but observing, never really taking part.
...not to mention reading dozens upon dozens of pages about botany made me want to toss the book in the fire on several occasions.
The optimist in me is hoping this is just a small, boring, albeit necessary piece to a larger picture. I'm hoping I'll be able to appreciate River Of Smoke more when I get around to reading Flood of Fire.
Unfortunately, standing on its own, this book was a drag to get through. The plot really didn't get moving until 300 pages in and the characters basically just stood around doing nothing but observing, never really taking part.
...not to mention reading dozens upon dozens of pages about botany made me want to toss the book in the fire on several occasions.