Hock G. Tjoa

It took me a bit to get into it, it felt a bit like when I read an ancient piece of Greek literature that has been translated... it just didn't flow for me right out of the gate. Once I was able to get the characters squared away and into the flow of the story, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I particularly enjoyed the intrigue and strategies employed by the different parties in the story and then I have to remind myself that this isn't entirely fiction, the battle of Chibi really took place.

I admit that prior to reading this, I knew very little about Chinese history or culture beyond the last 50 years or so. This has definitely piqued my interest and I hope to find more about the great nation of China and how it came to become what it is.


For what it's worth, John Woo has also produced a film about the same battle, unrelated to the book. However, thanks to this book I'll be checking that out too.

This was a First-Reads selection.… (mere)

This seems overwhelming at first - but is definitely worth sticking with it for the treasure inside. This story is a blend of genres that speaks across culture and time, really making connections with readers who can see that people are, on an emotional and social level, the same no matter when or where we live. Politics and war seems so large and impersonal, but the personal shows through in this sweeping saga. I am not familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and this seems like a fantastic introduction to a classic that should be more well-known and hopefully, with Tjoa's work here, will be. A very readable, enjoyable way to absorb some fascinating history.… (mere)