Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester

This is the story of Hong Kong in the twentieth century. It is a very carefully planned book in three parts. The first part is narrated by Dawn Stone, an ambitious journalist who tells a very familiar story. Since she is not a very interesting character and neither was her narrative style I had to struggle through this part of the book.
I was glad I did because the best and the longest section of the novel is narrated by a quiet Englishman called Tom Steward. I found this part of the story fascinating. The author made excellent use of language with well turned dialogue. The narrator's style was cool and measured. The plot was haunting and included a few "surprises". The setting was very convincing and very well researched. I felt that I was there. All the characters were totally credible. I liked, in particular, his treatment of the two nuns. They were portrayed as characters rather than caricatures, which was refreshing.
The final part of the book, narrated by a young Chinese entrepreneur is also impressive if a little implausible. All in all, there is a depth and emotional candour here, that long after you have finished the book, is hard to forget.

Member of Terenure Library Readers' Group, Dublin, Ireland

John Lanchester's novel is divided onto four parts, each introducing a new character to the story. Part two, by far the longest section, could almost stand alone as a novel in its own right. The author has produced a work of epic proportions and gives a vivid account of Hong Kong over a period of seventy years. The reader becomes immersed in the life of this multi-faceted city, its work ethic, its customs, the horror of life after the Japanese invasion, but particularly one man's life in and love of his adoptive country. It also illustrates how seemingly insignificant events in one's life can affect future generations.

The four parts come together in the end but I must confess this reader had to return to the beginning and reread part one -"Donna Stone". By the time this character reentered the plot at the very end of the novel I had forgotten her existence. However it is a very worthwhile read.

Member of the Raheny Library Reading Group, Dublin, Ireland