The Dragon Republic by R.F. KuangMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Once in a while, everyone needs a good old fashioned adventure/fantasy novel that just sucks you in and leaves you oblivious to everything: the outside world, adult responsibilities, and the political situation in your country.
I have known this deep joy before in Pierce Brown's RED RISING series, and I am grateful for the book angel that made it possible for us to continue R.F. Kuang's amazing POPPY WAR trilogy. But my God! What's up with this trend of wreaking as much emotional damage as possible on readers?!?
Kuang's second book is again a thinly veiled do-over of REAL Chinese history. There's that meme of Leo DiCaprio pointing excitedly at something. Well, this is kind of what I did, only I was shouting names of real-life historical figures as soon as I figured out who they REALLY were, as Kuang changes the names and adds some fantasy elements, but otherwise stays true to the geopolitical and sociological truths that give this novel its solid weight. It's as if the author declared: THIS REALLY HAPPENED. LET ME SHOW YOU HOW, AND WHY.
I apologize to the neighbors if they overheard me alternating between shouting names like CHAIRMAN MAO! and CHIANG KAI - SHEK, and loud gasps and maybe a few heartfelt curses. Nothing to see here, folks. Just a reader enjoying a REALLY. EPIC. BOOK.
For anyone who's a bit hazy on the whole Mainland China versus Taiwan issue (who isn't?), this is a must-read!
The everlasting debate between democracy and a dictatorship rings with special force now, as well as the struggle amongst the classes, and provincialism. Should the masses be given the power to vote, when they are "unformed, uneducated and uncultured?" But then, how do we ensure that there is a check and balance in a government where one man, or one party, wields absolute power?
All of these themes make this series one for adults, as younger readers might not be able to understand the full context. There's loads of fun battle scenes, as well as references to the Battle of Red Cliff and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (which I NEED to read, soon!).
By any rubric, this book gets a perfect score!
It's a Sunday night. Book 3 is within reach. I promise I'll wake up and be a good girl, and go to work tomorrow. Only a few chapters...
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