China is the latest in Rutherfurd's series of historical novels, and China fits well within them. The story is set in the final 80 years or so of dynastic China and follows the western powers contribution to the destruction and exploitation of the empire. I was repulsed by the inevitable comparison I could not help but make of western "trade" to today's drug cartels. While China was more than capable of self-destruction, western means of exploitation certainly sped the process and did much damage some of which impoverishes us to the current day.. The story is told primarily through the eyes of a British trader, John Trader, whose life and death encompasses the period of the novel, and a member China's royal court that was a close, personal servant of empress Cixi whose life also encompasses the same period. I found myself unable to get overly attached to any of the characters this time around; however, I feel the book gave me a valued perspective and understanding of the path leading to modern day China and associated problems and attitudes the world must struggle through today.

Wonderful historical fiction of China from 1839 to 1901, Edward Rutherfurd's book is well researched, and the characters are an interesting mixture of players: from a eunuch in the court of the emperor, to an English opium trader; from a Chinese civil servant to an English missionary, and many more.

The book begins with the Opium War, which consisted of military engagements between England and the Qin Dynasty (often referred to as the Manchurian dynasty.) This was fascinating to me inasmuch as my knowledge was limited about it.

The novel depicts the continual humiliation and exploitation of China by Europe and how the Chinese adapted.
My favorite part of the novel deals with the interactions between Long Nail and Empress Dowager Cixi. Long Nail is a eunuch who is betrayed and then redeemed as Cixi's manicurist.

I am looking forward to the next novel by Rutherfurd which is set during the 20th Century in China, including the rise of Mao and the Cultural Revolution!