Review of The Dragon from Guangzhou
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Srinidhi Vittal
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- Latest Review: The Dragon from Guangzhou by DW Plato
Review of The Dragon from Guangzhou
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Dragon from Guangzhou" by DW Plato.]
Thriller novels are usually centered around a main character on the side of the law. Rarely are stories written about the villains and the odds they encountered to get where they got to. The Dragon from Guangzhou by DW Plato is an interesting exception to the norm. This crime-thriller novel presents a historical adventure that sails through the turbulent waters of 19th-century China. The pace is fiercely fast, and the heroine of the novel is unforgettable. Just like Hollywood is churning out movies with female protagonists beating the run-of-the-mill males, DW Plato has successfully woven a historical story about Mogu (mushroom), a once discarded daughter transformed into a ruthless female pirate who defies great odds to become successful at ruling the seas around China.
The Dragon from Guangzhou offers important life lessons to the reader through the story of Mogu, a girl from rural China, born to a fisherman family. Mogu is perfectly happy in her simple life, enjoying her father’s love, unbothered by poverty. One day, a sea storm takes her father, and her mother remarries. Following which Mogu’s half-brother is born, she is sold to a convent, and then subsequently ends up in a brothel at a young age. The novel tells the story of survival, strategy, and self-definition, as evidenced by the life of its central character.
Even though beginning her life as a marginalized figure – abandoned by her family, raised by nuns, and sold into a brothel – Mogu develops into a resilient, sharp, and street-smart individual. Mógū doesn’t ask for permission; she takes what she’s owed. Plato’s storytelling is bold and evocative, making The Dragon From Guangzhou a must-read for fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists.
The story begins with an introduction to Mogu, a flower girl and prostitute, quietly practicing her trade in a boat off the coast of China. The fast-paced narration then delves into her getting kidnapped by a client and lover, Zheng Yi, a fierce pirate commander. The latter proposes marriage, and Mogu makes a deal to get half of everything he owns as part of the bride price. During the raid on her flower ship, Mogu loses her confidant and best friend to the sword of a pirate; her grief at this loss is very well depicted. Events in Mogu's life, including her elaborate marriage, indulgence in opium and transition into a wife, mother, pirate, and leader of a band of sea bandits, are chronicled at a fast pace, making the book almost unputdownable.
The novel highlights the sheer mental gymnastics played by Mogu, which demonstrates the quiet strength, wisdom, intelligence, and resolve of the protagonist. She thrives in every situation and has a great ability to gently but firmly convince anyone to get her way. This comes across early in the book when Mogu follows her husband to the shipyard and convinces him to take her on a pirate raid. Slowly but surely, she rises to power to ultimately command one of the largest pirate fleets in history.
Mogu’s character is well developed as someone who successfully sees opportunity in every adversity and achieves benefits from the situation. This story is loosely based on Ching Shi, the historically infamous pirate, who reveals her quick-thinking, smart, seductive, and adaptable psyche. Plato’s effort in bringing this significant, yet lesser-known historical character to life through this thriller is indeed superb. The story’s momentum never falters. From sword fights to political intrigue to plundering ships, the story continues to make the reader beg for more. An ideal plot indeed for a Hollywood movie in the future.
The book, however, does not pay too much attention or detail to the cultural traditions, customs, and religious aspects of the day and age it is set in. The dialogues are written in modern-day conversational style rather than in ancient Chinese. Also, scant attention is given to the kind of food and drinking habits of common people, pirates, and royalty.
I would give this book a 4/5 stars in terms of a rating score for its interesting, fast-paced, and thrilling storyline. The editing and typesetting of this book are par excellence; I couldn’t find even one grammatical or spelling mistake throughout the volume. The Dragon from Guangzhou would be ideal for adolescents and adults. Due to the presence of violence and profanity, I would not recommend this book for children.
******
The Dragon from Guangzhou
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Thriller novels are usually centered around a main character on the side of the law. Rarely are stories written about the villains and the odds they encountered to get where they got to. The Dragon from Guangzhou by DW Plato is an interesting exception to the norm. This crime-thriller novel presents a historical adventure that sails through the turbulent waters of 19th-century China. The pace is fiercely fast, and the heroine of the novel is unforgettable. Just like Hollywood is churning out movies with female protagonists beating the run-of-the-mill males, DW Plato has successfully woven a historical story about Mogu (mushroom), a once discarded daughter transformed into a ruthless female pirate who defies great odds to become successful at ruling the seas around China.
The Dragon from Guangzhou offers important life lessons to the reader through the story of Mogu, a girl from rural China, born to a fisherman family. Mogu is perfectly happy in her simple life, enjoying her father’s love, unbothered by poverty. One day, a sea storm takes her father, and her mother remarries. Following which Mogu’s half-brother is born, she is sold to a convent, and then subsequently ends up in a brothel at a young age. The novel tells the story of survival, strategy, and self-definition, as evidenced by the life of its central character.
Even though beginning her life as a marginalized figure – abandoned by her family, raised by nuns, and sold into a brothel – Mogu develops into a resilient, sharp, and street-smart individual. Mógū doesn’t ask for permission; she takes what she’s owed. Plato’s storytelling is bold and evocative, making The Dragon From Guangzhou a must-read for fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists.
The story begins with an introduction to Mogu, a flower girl and prostitute, quietly practicing her trade in a boat off the coast of China. The fast-paced narration then delves into her getting kidnapped by a client and lover, Zheng Yi, a fierce pirate commander. The latter proposes marriage, and Mogu makes a deal to get half of everything he owns as part of the bride price. During the raid on her flower ship, Mogu loses her confidant and best friend to the sword of a pirate; her grief at this loss is very well depicted. Events in Mogu's life, including her elaborate marriage, indulgence in opium and transition into a wife, mother, pirate, and leader of a band of sea bandits, are chronicled at a fast pace, making the book almost unputdownable.
The novel highlights the sheer mental gymnastics played by Mogu, which demonstrates the quiet strength, wisdom, intelligence, and resolve of the protagonist. She thrives in every situation and has a great ability to gently but firmly convince anyone to get her way. This comes across early in the book when Mogu follows her husband to the shipyard and convinces him to take her on a pirate raid. Slowly but surely, she rises to power to ultimately command one of the largest pirate fleets in history.
Mogu’s character is well developed as someone who successfully sees opportunity in every adversity and achieves benefits from the situation. This story is loosely based on Ching Shi, the historically infamous pirate, who reveals her quick-thinking, smart, seductive, and adaptable psyche. Plato’s effort in bringing this significant, yet lesser-known historical character to life through this thriller is indeed superb. The story’s momentum never falters. From sword fights to political intrigue to plundering ships, the story continues to make the reader beg for more. An ideal plot indeed for a Hollywood movie in the future.
The book, however, does not pay too much attention or detail to the cultural traditions, customs, and religious aspects of the day and age it is set in. The dialogues are written in modern-day conversational style rather than in ancient Chinese. Also, scant attention is given to the kind of food and drinking habits of common people, pirates, and royalty.
I would give this book a 4/5 stars in terms of a rating score for its interesting, fast-paced, and thrilling storyline. The editing and typesetting of this book are par excellence; I couldn’t find even one grammatical or spelling mistake throughout the volume. The Dragon from Guangzhou would be ideal for adolescents and adults. Due to the presence of violence and profanity, I would not recommend this book for children.
******
The Dragon from Guangzhou
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Dragon from Guangzhou by DW Plato
