Chung Kuo: The Middle Kingdom: Book 1

by David Wingrove

Book Overview

The Year is 2190. China has once again become a??world unto itself and this time its only boundary??is space . . . The world is City Earth, ruled by??the Seven, China's new kings. Beautiful,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440207614
• ISBN13: 9780440207610
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Dell Publishing Company
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

One of SF's best works

It's not surprising that this mammoth 8-volume novel hasn't won a wider audience. It's brilliantly written, brimming with fresh ideas and unusual characters. Set in a future world ruled by a world-spanning Empire, it depicts a vast global city ruled by seven T'angs. Han Chinese are the rulers; Europeans control several major corporations but their power is subordinate to the T'angs. Where are all the other races? Let's just say it's not an oversight by the author. The plot centers on the struggle by European "Dispersionists" who seek to overthrow the rule of the T'angs. In the midst of this war, which is just getting started in this first volume, Kim Ward, a brilliant scientist, and Ben Shepard, an artistic genius, are on their path to revolutionizing society. Chung Kuo is like no other SF or fantasy series in that it's one continuous narrative in eight parts. The volumes need to be read in sequence; although they do resolve some plot threads so that each book is a satisfying read, they aren't stand-alone pieces set in a common universe. So why isn't this series more popular? It's brutally violent in one or two places, and one of them is in this volume. Wingrove acknowledges that this sequence cost him readers, but felt it was necessary. Overall the tone is very dark, and it's frequently difficult to tell the "good guys" from the "bad guys" (and sometimes it's flat out impossible). This is a grim, often apocalyptic world, and it's clearly too much for some people's tastes. It's only fair to mention that a lot of people were very upset about the ending. It's not strictly kosher to mention that here, but I'll just say that I've never read an SF novel that took this direction. Wingrove's writing is solid and vivid, compellingly readable. Although there is a large cast of characters it's not hard to keep track; the listing at the beginning of each volume is very accurate. The current listing shows used copies beginning at one cent. With shipping that will be a couple of bucks more, but it's still the steal of the century. This is one of the best SF novels ever written, completely unique. I'd recommend getting the first book; if you're not hooked after that, no harm done. But more people need to read this; it's great stuff.

Beautiful book

I'm rather sad to find out that the rest of the books in this series are out of print, not that I won't track them down eventually, but this is a brilliant beginning.It's two hundred years in the future and China rules the world. Not only do the Chinese dynasties rule everything, but they've changed history so that they've always ruled everything. Dispersionists fight to overthrow the system, but in many ways they are more corrupt and evil than the actual system itself.Akin to Dune in that you can't completely side with anyone, this book depicts a world of cutthroats and diplomats. You'll find yourself siding with the people trying to uphold the system simply because they have honor and integrity while the rebels are vicious creeps. Ultimately the best character in this book is Chen, the trained assassin that helps expose DeVore's manipulations (but doesn't catch him). However, this is a large canvas and something that can't be taken in all at once. It's one of the best books about horrible people that you will read in a long time.

Edgar Allan Poe, Frank Herbert, Confucius, and Orwell

Unlike the majority of the reviews present here, this one is being written after only having read the first book in the series. (Chung Kuo) As has been stated many times before, you will either LOVE this book or you will HATE it. The book is definitely not for the weak of heart (or stomach). I have seen many of the so-called "Death Videos" out there without too much trouble. However, the depiction of sado-masochistic sex left me nothing short of sick. I have no doubt that, had I not been reading the book on an empty stomach, I would have vomited as soon as finished that particular passage. This is one of those few times that I seriously wonder about the mental stability of the author. The passage in question is there in order to imbue you with a deep hatred for one of the major antagonists in the story which at least partially justifies the brutality of it.The two biggest complaints I have seen (other than the violence) has been the plot/character structure and the stereotyping/racism/etc. In terms of plot twists, character depth, and other issues, you had better be prepared. The character list which was thoughtfully provided by the author is 4 pages long. (One name per line) I found myself flipping back to the list often, yet I found it rather engaging. It truly shows the breadth of thought of the author.In adressing the issue of racism/sexism/etc, there is not much to be said. If you truly believe that ancient China was NOT racist and sexist, perhaps you should check out "The Little Engine That Could." For those who can view the world as it is, the book is a depiction of what would happen if (when?) ancient Chinese culture became the world norm as opposed to the current Americanized world culture.To address the issue of all women being treated as sex objects, etc, I have found that the majority of the female characters portrayed are quite cunning, some much more so than their male counterparts.If you are a reader of science fiction or any sort of political intrigue, I implore you, find the book at your local library. If you get offended by it, or if you can't quite keep up with the multitude of characters, you won't have wasted any money. However, if you enjoy it, you will be drugged by it. You will find yourself sitting up WAY past your bedtime to read it. I will confess that, for 3 days, I went on 2 hours of sleep per night because of this book. This one is definitely a keeper.

AMAZING.

This series is fantastic. It is compared to Herbert, Asimov, etc. Frankly, I think it's better. The plot is gripping, almost without exception, to the point that my heart races when I'm reading it. The characters are complex, varied, and believable. The setting is ingenious; the breadth of the author's understanding of Chinese culture mind-boggling. I have read the series once already, about eight years ago; and now I'm through book III again. As I read the other reviews, I see that for the most part readers either love it or hate it. The negative criticism I see includes the following: it is too complex, with too many characters; it is too violent, and sex especially is mixed with violence too often; and it is racist and sexist.My response: indeed, the story is complex, but it is equally tight. If you enjoy--and can hold in your mind--a richly textured world, you will savor its breadth. If you want something less meaty, you won't have to look far: water covers most of the earth. Next: the book is violent--graphically so. If you have a weak stomach, don't read it. The story is not all sugar and spice. It's a story of social and political revolution, not romance. Some of the characters are really nasty, and do really nasty things, just like real-life historical and contemporary characters. But in contrast are numerous scenes and episodes which are quite touching and beautiful; they are expressions of the author's depth of soul and endearing sense of humanity. And the sex...well, much of it is violent, as (like it or not) it is in real life; but what the critics fail to acknowledge is the many sweet, truly romantic and beautiful episodes of love-making that are portrayed. Likewise with the criticism that the book is sexist or racist: I suppose the reader will see that for which he or she is looking. Those who insist that the women in the book are degraded fail to remember the numerous heroines who impress the reader with their strength and intelligence; or they assume that the author's depiction of a patriarchal society is the description of his wished utopia. Do not apologize, Mr. Wingrove. Your readers will either appreciate your achievement and thank you for not patronizing them; or they will condemn you for not giving them the politically-correct narcotic they desire.

Facscinating Epic SF

This is a political SF epic in the same vein as Dune, spiced with Chinese culture. Unlike Dune, it takes place in the near future (a couple of hundred years rather than thousands), so the society is somewhat more identifiable to the modern-day reader. Like Dune, it's filled with colorful characters and complex political intrigue deciding the fates of billions.Although I woudn't quite rate the level of writing here as "literature", it's certainly higher than that of the bulk of popular novels, especially SF. Smooth sailing all the way. I found this book especially tough to put down- in addition to following the thrilling twists and turns of the plot, I was enthralled by the colorful descriptions of the future worldwide society saturated with Chinese culture.Another feature which makes Chung Kuo stand out is the ambiguity of the characters and their causes. Initially, the two sides of the conflict seem pretty clear-cut. However, as the story progresses, we find that the line between good and evil is severely blurred, and ask the age-old question, "Does the end justify the means?". What feelings are brought out in the reader by an evil character fighting the good fight? A man of honor fighting to preserve an oppressive status (Chung) quo? [Sorry :) ] If you read this novel, you will find out.Despite the (very) occasional moments of sexual depravity mentioned by other reviewers, I am eagerly looking forward to the second book in the series. (And the number of SF series which held my attention long enough to read more than one book can be counted on one hand.)