The Poppy War by R.F. KuangMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
You know it's a five-star-read when:
a) the real world vanishes for the length of time it takes to finish this fantasy novel, with events taken from real Chinese history!
b) you're so emotionally invested in the characters, you immediately look for Books 2 and 3 of the trilogy, and search AO3 for support group therapy
But be warned: this is not for everyone, and definitely not for young adult readers!! This is a thinly disguised history of Sino-Japanese relations, compressed in novel form. R.F. Kuang just changed names of people and places, but I think the reason the war scenes are so horrific is precisely because she didn't make them up. THEY REALLY HAPPENED. There is a very real possibility of experiencing something close to PTSD, because the events described ACTUALLY took place not too long ago. :'(
So why bother reading this?
Perhaps because it offers insight into human nature that made atrocities like the Rape of Nanking possible. We see the dangers of xenocentrism pushed to genocidal extremes, the dangers of blind obedience to authority, the weakness that lies in trusting gods and heroes to save one's country.
This is not escapism. This is the equivalent of a crash course in Chinese history and culture, with geeks rejoicing in thinly veiled references to Sun Tzu, Journey to the West, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and more that I'm sure I missed, but those more intimate with Chinese literature will delight in!
Highly recommended! And how lucky for Filipino readers that the trilogy is readily available in local bookstores! I so regret not getting the other two volumes when I had the chance, huhu. Best read with relaxing sips of hot tea, and afterwards... I think I'll de-stress by rubbing some White Flower ointment on my pounding temples.
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