I wanted that one, but the bookstore didn't have it. I guess it's a little bit unfair to complain about thin characterization in the fourth book in a detective series. ^^ The weak writing and slight sexism, however, I feel totally comfortable calling out.
It sounds like Red Heroine has a better sense of place, too. XD; Since the first book wasn't available, I went with the one set partially in St. Louie, figuring I could at least contrast the scenes set in Shanghai with the ones set in Xiaolong Qiu's hometown - see whether he was more comfortable with one than the other. There wasn't much difference, though.
Plotting remains weak. For instance, they end up in St. Louis because an elder member of the writer's delegation Chen is heading (long story) wanted to see "Master Ma's hometown" - i.e. the birthplace of Mark Twain (actually born in Hannibal, Missouri).
It's too bad that Xiaolong Qiu ran out of class and generational gap commentary by this book, because I would have liked to have read it - but now that I've read one, I'm not sure whether I'd like to read another. ^^ Anyway, the writing definitely doesn't get any better, and the ideas are scarcer, it seems to me based on your description.
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Date: 2010-05-22 04:04 am (UTC)It sounds like Red Heroine has a better sense of place, too. XD; Since the first book wasn't available, I went with the one set partially in St. Louie, figuring I could at least contrast the scenes set in Shanghai with the ones set in Xiaolong Qiu's hometown - see whether he was more comfortable with one than the other. There wasn't much difference, though.
Plotting remains weak. For instance, they end up in St. Louis because an elder member of the writer's delegation Chen is heading (long story) wanted to see "Master Ma's hometown" - i.e. the birthplace of Mark Twain (actually born in Hannibal, Missouri).
It's too bad that Xiaolong Qiu ran out of class and generational gap commentary by this book, because I would have liked to have read it - but now that I've read one, I'm not sure whether I'd like to read another. ^^ Anyway, the writing definitely doesn't get any better, and the ideas are scarcer, it seems to me based on your description.