‘The Colonel and the Eunuch were different names for the same person.’

Twentieth century rural China provides the setting for this novel. Our protagonist, a boy, has grown up in a small village listening to stories about the Colonel, whom some call the Eunuch. As the story gradually unfolds, we learn why some consider the Colonel a hero and others consider him a traitor. The boy wonders: is the Colonel a Eunuch? Who can answer this question?

The boy grows to manhood at a time when China in undergoing rapid change. But he never forgets the Colonel and, as he himself grows into middle age, he learns the truth.

‘I didn’t know shame could weigh so much that it could break someone.’

I found this an absorbing read. Yes, it is slow paced. Yes, almost every character has at least one nickname and at times I really had to concentrate – much as I imagine the boy had to as the story began. While I think the novel is easier to understand if you have some knowledge of twentieth century Chinese history (especially of the war between China and Japan), such knowledge is not essential. Mai Jia takes the reader deep into Chinese rural life, through rumour and superstition into the life of a man who has been elevated within the village to a near mythic status.
Mai Jia shows more intimate view of twentieth century life in China, one in which the Colonel retains his mystery until near the end. Was he a hero? Was he a villain? Who can be trusted?
I intend to reread this novel. The setting is an important part of the story, but in my first read I was more focused on trying to learn the ‘truth’ about the Colonel.

‘A person has two sides, a coin. There’s a good side and a bad side.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

net-galley review-books4 s Emma2,608 1,002

This was a well translated and written book. It has a charm to it, filled with characters who are well developed and endearing, even the awful ones! In the midst of a very unstable and politically fraught era, the cultural revolution underpins the goings on in the village. A worthwhile read. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.family historical-fiction historical-mystery ...more3 s Hikari151 8

A sprawling tale which spans much of the twentieth century through the eyes of our protagonist. He grows up in a remote village where everyone had a nickname and one of the adults was the Colonel. Some also called him the Eunuch. The tone is hazy, time feels somewhat superfluous and the novel doesn't narrate things chronologically so if you don't have a working understanding of Chinese history, some parts may be confusing. Through various events, our protagonist ends up overseas and with that, plus time, he gains some perspective on these events.

Given that the Colonel is the Eunuch, I'm not sure why the book is titled as it is - would "Colonel, Eunuch" or "Colonel: Eunuch?" or “Colonel? Eunuch?” work better? It's also worth saying that a number of the characters spend a lot of time discussing sex and women in crude terms. I'm not sure if that's a difference between cultures or how people from a remote Chinese village would have spoken at the time. As a reader, I found it really off-putting and means that the novel would probably have a 15 or even an 18 rating were it a film.

Life in the village is clearly very tough and, given how casually our narrator brings it up, drinking pesticide was the easiest way to escape and such a normal part of life that no-one batted an eyelid at it. So, so tragic.

Given the volume of unnecessary profanity, the lack of time markers and my feelings of "meh" towards the protagonist, I dragged myself through this one so it's not one I can recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Ink633 15

The Colonel and the Eunuch by Mai Jia is a stunning literary work which is reminiscent of Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xuequin, but for the
20th century. Bravely written, huge heart and a stunning translation that is accurate and sensitive to the timbre of the original text. I cannot revere this book enough

An observation of chinese culture, coming of age and a journey through history observed through th eeyes of the narrator. I try not to use the term "unputdownable" but I will as an exception here as I truly believe I have just finished a new piece of outstanding Chinese literature which will certainly become a classic

Thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus | Apollo and Mai Jia for this outstanding ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

arc-read netgalley2 s karla JR332 8

This book already for a massive suceed on China. I this book because I think it developed very wealthy characters. I love historical fiction, so this was the kind of book that I wanted to read. I think they also did a fantastic work writing it, and the horrible circumstances that this book is setting on it just make it a delightful book. I think it's well-written. I think the plot was perfect. I think that the structure of the book made it easy to read, and I think we have to take a lot to the translator who did this brilliant work and that in the translation, the book didn't lose its essence. TillymintballAuthor 5 books6

The Colonel and the Eunuch spans the lifetime of the narrator, We learn about the culture, relationships and violence within the town they both live in. The Colonel to some, the Eunuch to others, he is a mystery for most of the book. As we move into the narrator's story as an adult, everything falls into place and the harsh language and treatment throughout paints a picture of the time and the political climate. It's an era that I had little knowledge of previously but I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for my honest opinion. Jinxy_Reads80 1 follower

A tale spanning the turbulent years of recent Chinese history seen through the eyes of one young boy growing up in a small village and influenced by his grandfather and elders.

The story of the Colonel was told mainly in terms of peasants gossip and if I’m completely honest I didn’t really care about him or his tattoo. I felt that whilst massive changes were taking place in the world this book concentrates on largely uneducated people in an unappealing village. A very long book with, in my opinion, little to say.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC Sarah Burton334 9

A well translated so that it retained the feel of rural China during times of great upheaval and change. I struggled a bit with the first part, getting used to the characters and their language especially the Old Constable but as we really got in to the story of The Colonel the story openened up and came to life for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Colonel and the Eunuch Annarella13.2k 144

A historical fiction, a coming of age, the description of life in rural China and how the image and the lore about a man can change according to who is telling the story.
Loved it and loved how it talks about the changes in China and its inhabitants.
An excellent story well translated.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are minehistorica-fiction netgalley1 Soozee1,070 11

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