RF Kuang's debut novel has been the subject of many fine reviews. And I find that the excitement is indeed justified. This is a very accomplished work, with useful and interesting things to say about the role of choice and consequences in all our lives. Kuang takes as her template the geography and recent history of China for her worldbuilding. The contest for supremacy between the empire of Nikata, and the island nation of Mugin has its obvious parallels with historical events in our own world.
The story is that of Fang Runin (Rin), a war orphan, brought up in oppressive circumstances in Tikany, a small rural town in one of 12 provinces of Nikata. Rin wants only to escape her fate, and through cunning, sacrifice and hard slog, succeeds in acing the empire wide Keju examination, qualifying for tuition at the renowned military Academy of Sinegard.
The events of Rin's time at Sinegard, the story takes on elements which might be described as 'Harry Potter with Chinese Characteristics'. Rin's low born origins make her persona non-grata with many of her fellows (the scions of the Warlords or rich merchants), and she struggles to find herself a 'tribe'. Her choice to study the rarely chosen discipline of Lore isolates her further from her peers, and even though she progresses in her studies with her very eccentric Master Jiang, his aims and advice often conflict with Jin's own desires. The adept of Lore is able to commune with the gods, and bring their powers back to the world. Jiang advises Rin to resist this temptation, lest disaster and madness follow.
But when the long feared resumption of hostilities between Mugan and Nikata occurs, Rin's lot is thrown in with the Cike, those others who preceded her in treading the perilous path between channeling the gods and madness. No one is in control, and everyone is a pawn in a very brutal game. It is only quite late in the piece that one is shown why the reader should choose one side over another. Rin observes when encountering a Muganese soldier, that her opponent looks just like her. Not a monster, not a monstrosity, but just another human in an inhuman circumstance.
There is very much violence and horror for Rin to endure before she comes to live out her destiny. When it comes there is a heavy price to be paid. 'The Poppy War' is honest and true when it tells of the suffering caused by warfare. Neither the fighters nor the non-combatants are immune from the horrors. Those of a sensitive nature should be warned that drug use, self-harm, rape and sexual assault, in addition to graphic descriptions of war crimes are part and parcel of this package.
The consequences of 'The Poppy War' are no doubt to be addressed in the upcoming sequel 'The Dragon Republic'. I will be looking forward to reading it too.
The story is that of Fang Runin (Rin), a war orphan, brought up in oppressive circumstances in Tikany, a small rural town in one of 12 provinces of Nikata. Rin wants only to escape her fate, and through cunning, sacrifice and hard slog, succeeds in acing the empire wide Keju examination, qualifying for tuition at the renowned military Academy of Sinegard.
The events of Rin's time at Sinegard, the story takes on elements which might be described as 'Harry Potter with Chinese Characteristics'. Rin's low born origins make her persona non-grata with many of her fellows (the scions of the Warlords or rich merchants), and she struggles to find herself a 'tribe'. Her choice to study the rarely chosen discipline of Lore isolates her further from her peers, and even though she progresses in her studies with her very eccentric Master Jiang, his aims and advice often conflict with Jin's own desires. The adept of Lore is able to commune with the gods, and bring their powers back to the world. Jiang advises Rin to resist this temptation, lest disaster and madness follow.
But when the long feared resumption of hostilities between Mugan and Nikata occurs, Rin's lot is thrown in with the Cike, those others who preceded her in treading the perilous path between channeling the gods and madness. No one is in control, and everyone is a pawn in a very brutal game. It is only quite late in the piece that one is shown why the reader should choose one side over another. Rin observes when encountering a Muganese soldier, that her opponent looks just like her. Not a monster, not a monstrosity, but just another human in an inhuman circumstance.
There is very much violence and horror for Rin to endure before she comes to live out her destiny. When it comes there is a heavy price to be paid. 'The Poppy War' is honest and true when it tells of the suffering caused by warfare. Neither the fighters nor the non-combatants are immune from the horrors. Those of a sensitive nature should be warned that drug use, self-harm, rape and sexual assault, in addition to graphic descriptions of war crimes are part and parcel of this package.
The consequences of 'The Poppy War' are no doubt to be addressed in the upcoming sequel 'The Dragon Republic'. I will be looking forward to reading it too.