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fletcherflute 's review for:
Shanghai: A Novel by Yokomitsu Riichi
by Riichi Yokomitsu
Probably a 1 star for enjoyment, but adding a star because I do think this novel does what it sets out to do effectively.
This is very much one of those books that is concerned with painting a picture of a time and a place in a very artistic way, and not really concerned with character or plot, which is fine. Just not to my taste at all. I would rather just read a short story or an essay than read a novel like this.
Shanghai itself becomes a bit of a character in this book, and it is the main plot driver. It strips away any agency from the characters, and everyone is succumbed to their tumultuous surroundings.
I will say that the author is talented. He uses the characters almost as different lenses on a camera that he switches out frequently, all of them processing events slightly differently. There are some truly chilling descriptions here as well. If you’re interested in the May 30th incident, or cosmopolitanism and modernism in general, this would maybe be one to put on your radar. Just not for me.
This is very much one of those books that is concerned with painting a picture of a time and a place in a very artistic way, and not really concerned with character or plot, which is fine. Just not to my taste at all. I would rather just read a short story or an essay than read a novel like this.
Shanghai itself becomes a bit of a character in this book, and it is the main plot driver. It strips away any agency from the characters, and everyone is succumbed to their tumultuous surroundings.
I will say that the author is talented. He uses the characters almost as different lenses on a camera that he switches out frequently, all of them processing events slightly differently. There are some truly chilling descriptions here as well. If you’re interested in the May 30th incident, or cosmopolitanism and modernism in general, this would maybe be one to put on your radar. Just not for me.