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A review by takemyhand
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
5.0
Lord, where to begin. This absolute masterpiece of a book had a hold on me before I even started reading it (no, seriously, every time i saw it in a bookshop, or heard about it, my heart swelled up at the thought of getting it), and safe to say it is one of my favorites ever. Quick summary, These Violent Delights is set in 1920s Shanghai, promoted as a Romeo and Juliet retelling, with bits of fiction and loads of colonialism criticism. It follows main characters Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, heirs of Shanghai’s leading rival gangs, and ex-lovers, in their quest of trying to save their city, as well as their people, from falling in the hands of a monster in the Huangpu River.
I believe that even in five-star ratings, there has to be something one wouldn’t have enjoyed in the book, but I think These Violent Delights has to be the exception to the (read: my very personal) rule. It’s been three months, and I should have done this earlier, but I simply couldn’t find the words to describe how wonderful it was, to share how immersed in the universe I was. Not only have I finally figured out that historical fiction and retellings are my favorite genres in literature, but I have, most likely, also found my “instant-buy author”.
Chloe Gong’s writing style and story-telling is right up my alley : third person narrator, lots (and I mean lots) of angst, characters who don’t always do the “universally right” thing, and whose moral compasses sometimes point south, but in the end, value the greater good.
Everything about this book was pretty much made for me to love. This story is one of hate (with crumbs of love, every now and then), family, trust, treachery, and betrayals and it has become one of my favorite books ever. I’m writing this after finishing the sequel too, and all I have to do now is warn everyone whose tempted to pick this up to be ready to fall in love with one of the best worlds I’ve ever had the chance to read. Chloe Gong is truly a genius.
I believe that even in five-star ratings, there has to be something one wouldn’t have enjoyed in the book, but I think These Violent Delights has to be the exception to the (read: my very personal) rule. It’s been three months, and I should have done this earlier, but I simply couldn’t find the words to describe how wonderful it was, to share how immersed in the universe I was. Not only have I finally figured out that historical fiction and retellings are my favorite genres in literature, but I have, most likely, also found my “instant-buy author”.
Chloe Gong’s writing style and story-telling is right up my alley : third person narrator, lots (and I mean lots) of angst, characters who don’t always do the “universally right” thing, and whose moral compasses sometimes point south, but in the end, value the greater good.
Everything about this book was pretty much made for me to love. This story is one of hate (with crumbs of love, every now and then), family, trust, treachery, and betrayals and it has become one of my favorite books ever. I’m writing this after finishing the sequel too, and all I have to do now is warn everyone whose tempted to pick this up to be ready to fall in love with one of the best worlds I’ve ever had the chance to read. Chloe Gong is truly a genius.