this book changed my life!!!!!
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I wasn't into "science fiction"...but this book is so factual, so easy to read and so futuristic yet traditional. Beautiful, inspiring and morbidly realistic in it's view of the future. Not a saga but a future history. AMAZING!
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Superb Epic
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There are 3 truly excellent sci-fi series; Asimovs Foundation, Clarkes Rama and Wingroves Chung Kuo.
In terms of originality of concept this book is outstanding.
Set in a future where the population is 36 billion, the vast majority of Earths land mass is covered in multidecked continent spanning cities, ruled by 7 Tang or Chinese emperors. The culture is based on imperial Chinese, but with high technology. The society is set in distinct classes, the law of the Tang is absolute and often brutal.
The characters are slowly built up and their situations make compelling reading. The story is exciting and curious, often brutal and horrific. Many strands to a larger story are introduced and many of these don't seem to be connected in book 1, but this was designed as a 7 book series (and a weird eighth was written).
People know their place. However, knowing your place and accepting that situation is not the same thing. Where some people simply vie for the opportunities to move up to the next level, within the context of working hard or doing exceptional favours, others plot to destroy their cantons and the Tang themselves.
Riveting stuff. I couldn't wait for the next in the series to come out.
I only gave this 5 stars because it wouldn't let me give 6.
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Probably the best in the series
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This series began with the excellent Chung Kuo which tells the story of a future world dystopia wherein society is divided into levels - literally - and is governed by a (benevolent?)Chinese dictatorship. The momentum is sustained in this sequel which develops the many threads begun in the first novel and is in many ways more interesting.
Planned as a seven volume series, apparently, the ideas eventually stretched to eight - but after the fourth volume the series loses its way and descends almost into farce. This second novel, however, shows what could have been - it is imaginative, well paced and enthralling.
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1st book in Chung Kuo Saga leaves you wanting more..........
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I had been threatening to read this series for a long time and have finally gotten around it - I'm only sorry I didn't do so earlier! In this the first of the series, Wingrove's style can be a little melodramatic at times but this is more than compensated for by the pace and sheer scope of the book. Plot, characterisation and detail are superb. For some strange reason these books are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of - my advice is to read them while you still can.
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History, Sci-Fi, Blistering Action!
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As I imagine most people would, I had my reservations about starting to read the first book in a nine-book series. By the time I had finished The White Mountain I can honestly say that not since I went through my Dragonlance phase have I enjoyed reading so much. This series has even prompted me to buy my first ever book of poetry too (Ancient Chinese love poems at that). The plot has endless twists and turns, David Wingrove has no favouritism with his leading characters either, with an everchanging cast and new ideas for each of them that keeps the story well paced and fresh. As long as Mr Wingrove can keep each book this imaginative and not too stale as Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series has become in my opinion, I will buy every last book. The only problem with this book is that I can't seem to be able to get my hands on any later volumes in the series. Luckily I tend to stockpile novels like a squirrel with nuts so I should manage until about christmas. Buy this series, it ought to be a crime not too. A friend of mine in the states who got me hooked onto this series and worked in China for a year said that this series taught her more about China than any other reference book. Nuff said.
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