Wonderful historical fiction of China from 1839 to 1901, Edward Rutherfurd's book is well researched, and the characters are an interesting mixture of players: from a eunuch in the court of the emperor, to an English opium trader; from a Chinese civil servant to an English missionary, and many more.

The book begins with the Opium War, which consisted of military engagements between England and the Qin Dynasty (often referred to as the Manchurian dynasty.) This was fascinating to me inasmuch as my knowledge was limited about it.

The novel depicts the continual humiliation and exploitation of China by Europe and how the Chinese adapted.
My favorite part of the novel deals with the interactions between Long Nail and Empress Dowager Cixi. Long Nail is a eunuch who is betrayed and then redeemed as Cixi's manicurist.

I am looking forward to the next novel by Rutherfurd which is set during the 20th Century in China, including the rise of Mao and the Cultural Revolution!