A well translated so that it retained the feel of rural China during times of great upheaval and change. I struggled a bit with the first part, getting used to the characters and their language especially the Old Constable but as we really got in to the story of The Colonel the story openened up and came to life for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Colonel and the Eunuch

‘The Colonel and the Eunuch were different names for the same person.’

Twentieth century rural China provides the setting for this novel. Our protagonist, a boy, has grown up in a small village listening to stories about the Colonel, whom some call the Eunuch. As the story gradually unfolds, we learn why some consider the Colonel a hero and others consider him a traitor. The boy wonders: is the Colonel a Eunuch? Who can answer this question?
The boy grows to manhood at a time when China in undergoing rapid change. But he never forgets the Colonel and, as he himself grows into middle age, he learns the truth.

‘I didn’t know shame could weigh so much that it could break someone.’

I found this an absorbing read. Yes, it is slow paced. Yes, almost every character has at least one nickname and at times I really had to concentrate – much as I imagine the boy had to as the story began. While I think the novel is easier to understand if you have some knowledge of twentieth century Chinese history (especially of the war between China and Japan), such knowledge is not essential. Mai Jia takes the reader deep into Chinese rural life, through rumour and superstition into the life of a man who has been elevated within the village to a near mythic status.

Mai Jia shows more intimate view of twentieth century life in China, one in which the Colonel retains his mystery until near the end. Was he a hero? Was he a villain? Who can be trusted?

I intend to reread this novel. The setting is an important part of the story, but in my first read I was more focused on trying to learn the ‘truth’ about the Colonel.

‘A person has two sides, like a coin. There’s a good side and a bad side.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I enjoyed this very much to start with. I thought the Colonel/Eunuch was an intriguing and very interesting character and loved the way different people in the village reacted to him. I liked the writing, albeit in translation. But I found it became a little long winded and repetitive, which was a shame.

A little disappointed with this one - as a fan of sprawling historical novels. I found it hard to follow, however I also know very little about Chinese history, so lacked the tools to locate the narrative. Writing was beautiful though

This is a coming-of-age story of a different kind. A boy – the narrator - growing up in China during the years of the political and social chaos caused by the cultural revolution is trying to solve the puzzle of the enigmatic Colonel/Eunuch. Colonel to some and Eunuch to others, was a good friend of the boy’s father and fought at various stages for all sides during the political upheaval. This journey allows the reader glimpses into China’s recent history, including the Japanese occupation, the civil war and the rise of Communism. This I found very fragmented and one-dimensional due to the meandering story and the way it is told.

The story illustrates the hardship people went through during those times and poses questions about the heroism of survival, but I found it impossible to empathise with any of its characters. This is mainly due to the very descriptive style of narration, which may well be intended but didn’t do anything for me.

I am proud to have finished this book. Having read so much praise about it, I kept waiting for the key moment that would open it up for me. Sadly, it never came.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Head of Zeus / Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis of this book really interested me, I enjoy historical fiction but this one wasn’t my cup of tea!
While it offers glimpses into Chinese culture and history, the excessive crude language made it hard to read/enjoy. It’s not what I thought it would be. Probably more of a me issue as it’s considered to be a bestseller and literary masterpiece by others.

A sprawling tale which spans much of the twentieth century through the eyes of our protagonist. He grows up in a remote village where everyone had a nickname and one of the adults was the Colonel. Some also called him the Eunuch. The tone is hazy, time feels somewhat superfluous and the novel doesn't narrate things chronologically so if you don't have a working understanding of Chinese history, some parts may be confusing. Through various events, our protagonist ends up overseas and with that, plus time, he gains some perspective on these events.

Given that the Colonel is the Eunuch, I'm not sure why the book is titled as it is - would "Colonel, Eunuch" or "Colonel: Eunuch?" work better? It's also worth saying that a number of the characters spend a lot of time discussing sex and women in crude terms. I'm not sure if that's a difference between cultures or how people from a remote Chinese village would have spoken at the time. As a reader, it's off-putting and means that the novel would probably have a 15 or even an 18 rating were it a film.

Life in the village is clearly very tough and given how casually our narrator brings it up, that drinking pesticide was the easiest way to escape was such a normal part of life that no-one batted an eyelid at it. So, so tragic.

Given the volume of unnecessary profanity, the lack of time markers and my feelings of "meh" towards the protagonist, I dragged myself through this one so it's not one I can recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A tale spanning the turbulent years of recent Chinese history seen through the eyes of one young boy growing up in a small village and influenced by his grandfather and elders.

The story of the Colonel was told mainly in terms of peasants gossip and if I’m completely honest I didn’t really care about him or his tattoo. I felt that whilst massive changes were taking place in the world this book concentrates on largely uneducated people in an unappealing village. A very long book with, in my opinion, little to say.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

Colonel or eunuch or both, that is the question the whole village is wondering. One extraordinary man's story through the eyes of a child and the words of the village, until the child grows up and discovers the truth. Fascinating characters and setting.

The Colonel and the Eunuch spans the lifetime of the narrator, We learn about the culture, relationships and violence within the town they both live in. The Colonel to some, the Eunuch to others, he is a mystery for most of the book. As we move into the narrator's story as an adult, everything falls into place and the harsh language and treatment throughout paints a picture of the time and the political climate. It's an era that I had little knowledge of previously but I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoy historical fiction but I did not enjoy this book.
The last quarter was the best part. The first three quarters had so much bad language I nearly
gave up reading it. Some parts are quite slow.
I would not recommend this book.

This was a well translated and written book. It has a charm to it, filled with characters who are well developed and endearing, even the awful ones! In the midst of a very unstable and politically fraught era, the cultural revolution underpins the goings on in the village. A worthwhile read. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I like this book because I think it developed very wealthy characters. I love historical fiction, so this was the kind of book that I wanted to read. I think they also did a fantastic work writing it, and the horrible circumstances that this book is setting on it just make it like a delightful book. I think it's well-written. I think the plot was perfect. I think that the structure of the book made it easy to read, and I think we have to take a lot to the translator who did this brilliant work and that in the translation, the book didn't lose its essence.

The Colonel and the Eunuch is an amazing book by Mai Jia that has already sold over 2,5 million copies in China. With a masterful translation by Dylan Levi King English speakers/readers can now see what the fuss is about.

This is a hugely entertaining tale that's part coming of age story,part historical fiction,part social history,part war story and much,much else....most importantly an excellent story.

We first meet an unnamed boy in a small village in Southern China not long after the Korean War. Amongst the many local characters is the enigmatic war hero "The Colonel" as he is called to his face,"The Eunuch" behind his back by those who disparage him. Locals,including the boy's family,seem to either love him or loathe him for reasons that only become apparent as his history is related throughout the book.

When the Cultural Revolution hits the village , local bullies and nonentities join the Red Guards and old certainties and traditions are ,often literally,demolished,the Colonel is targeted and branded a traitor and collaborator ,amongst other things.

A story that spans decades,from the boy's childhood to his senior years,the Colonel's story emerges as circumstances demand,his heroics on all sides during China's most turbulent period,his life,loves and complex relationships. The book is full of excellent characters,some good,some bad,a few evil and a handful that show many sides.

I'm a big fan of Pierre Le Maitre's historical novels,full of odd characters and bizarre events and this book reminded me very much of those.

An excellent read that I really enjoyed.