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China

An Epic Novel

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China

By: Edward Rutherfurd
Narrated by: Andrew Wincott, Daniel York Loh, Zheng Xi Yong
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About this listen

 'The unparallelled master of the historical saga returns, this time, with an eye on China. Beginning with the First Opium War in 1839 and continuing through the present day, Rutherfurd tells a sweeping tale that brings to life a nation's history, traditions and the people who lived through it as if by magic' Newsweek

The internationally bestselling author portrays the great clash of East and West in his new epic: China

China in the nineteenth century: a proud and ancient empire forbidden to foreigners. The West desires Chinese tea above all other things but lacks the silver to buy it. Instead, western adventurers resort to smuggling opium in exchange.

The Qing Emperor will not allow his people to sink into addiction. Viceroy Lin is sent to the epicentre of the opium trade, Canton, to stop it. The Opium Wars begin - heralding a period of bloody military defeats, reparations, and one-sided treaties which will become known as the Century of Humiliation.

From Hong Kong to Beijing to the Great Wall, from the exotic wonders of the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, to squalid village huts, the dramatic struggle rages across the Celestial Kingdom. This is the story of the Chinese people, high and low, and the Westerners who came to exploit the riches of their ancient land and culture.

We meet a young village wife struggling with the rigid traditions of her people, Manchu empresses and warriors, powerful eunuchs, fanatical Taiping and Boxer Rebels, savvy Chinese pirates, artists, concubines, scoundrels and heroes, well-intentioned missionaries and the rapacious merchants, diplomats and soldiers of the West. Fortunes will rise and fall, loves will be gained and lost.

This is an unforgettable tale told from both sides of the divide. The clash of worldviews, of culture and heritage, is shown in a kaleidoscope of jaw-dropping set pieces. China is a feat of the imagination that will enthral, instruct and excite, and show us how things once were, and how the turmoil of the nineteenth century led to modern China's revolution and rebirth.
(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2020 Edward Rutherfurd Action & Adventure Asia China Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Fiction War Pirate

Critic Reviews

takes an entertaining, educational journey through China's rich and complex history, geography, art, and diverse cultures during a tumultuous epoch
The unparallelled master of the historical saga returns, this time, with an eye on China. Beginning with the First Opium War in 1839 and continuing through the present day, Rutherfurd tells a sweeping tale that brings to life a nation's history, traditions and the people who lived through it as if by magic
A spectacularly glorious epic! . . . This barnstormer of a book can take its rightful place as a true historical epic
Bravo; this is a big, complex and utterly involving portrait of 19th-century China
It's a bravura performance, fizzing with incident, excitement and energy
Rich in detail, it'll give all readers pause for thought
All stars
Most relevant
I loved it how the author switched between characters following their life journeys and how they sometimes intercepted each other. The narration was great as always with his books.

In depth history and authentic characters

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Rutherford is the Master of this gendre I'm my opinion of course based on his style and blend of history with interesting ‘side-shows’.
Well done Sir👏🏻👏🏻
PS the wait was worth it😇

Just now waiting for your next book👍🏻

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More fiction than I am used to with his writing and a bit unbelievable at times ! Prefer more actual history although I realise this is hard being in China!
Good listening and good performances.

Written well

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I've been waiting for this book to come out on audible for years, pre-ordered it and downloaded it the day it came out and I loved it.... originally I was a little disappointed that he didn't follow his usual style and go back to prehistory and follow a group through history to the present day but I appreciate how massive the history of China is so perhaps that would have been impossible - but having said that, it didn't detract from the pure please of delving into Chinese history from the Opium War in the 1830s through the Boxer Uprising....... while most of the characters are not historical I have a love of Chinese history and found this book absolutely fascinating, especially the storyline that delved into the Forbidden City and the Empress Dowager.......... LOVED this book - and will listen to it again.

Love it!

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Absolutely loved this amazing account of Chinese history as interpreted by Edward Rutherford. Highly recommended

Epic

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