THE FAN TAN PLAYERS opens in 1928 in Macao on a cyclone-drenched Quasimodo Sunday. Nadia Shashkova, now in her late twenties, but originally a child refugee from pre-revolutionary Russia, is contemplating her diminishing marital prospects. None of the Portuguese suitors who pay their respects appeal to her in the slightest. Independent, astute, an outsider, Nadia is haunted by secrets from her childhood, memories of violence and rupture, and one terrible secret above all others will not let her go. Enter Iain Sutherland, an enigmatic Scot who is, officially, a British Consular representative, and who is very interested in Nadia for a number of reasons. As Nadia and Iain learn about each others' histories, neither of them can anticipate what the future holds for each of them a journey into Russia to find something that has been lost, internment in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp, a courageous rescue. THE FAN TAN PLAYERS is an opulent family saga, set in Macao, Russia, the Scottish Highlands and Hong Kong in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Exotic and beautifully written, it is a story of love, history, adversity and adventure.
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About the Author
Julian Lees was born and raised in Hong Kong. After attending Cambridge University he worked for ten years as a stockbroker with UBS and Société Générale. Since then he has written two novels: A Winter Beauty and The Fan Tan Players . Both novels have been translated into German and published by Random House Germany with a third set for release in 2011. The Fan Tan Players has also been published in Polish by Proszynski Publishers. Julian currently lives in Malaysia with his wife, Ming, his three young children, Augustus, Amber, and Aisha and his constant canine companion Boobert.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By M. J. Brown
Format:Paperback
The Fan Tan Players is an intriguing family saga set in turbulent 1920s China - Macau in particular - and the early years of the Soviet Union. The author explores the personal themes of love and loss, duty and responsibility, friendship and enmity against the wider historical background. The novel traces the unfolding love story of the main characters: Nadia, a White Russian and escapee from Soviet horrors, and Iain a Scottish diplomat. Detailed research adds vivid colour to the descriptions of everyday life of the time, with a host of minor characters, in all of whose stories the reader becomes involved. The novel builds to a dramatic unforeseen denoument.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a well paced story travelling between Macao, Russia, Hong Kong and Scotland during the troubled years of 1928 to 1945.
The book starts off with a macabre discovery of a body, following a typhoon and flooding, in which he appears to have drowned yet, strangely, has no flesh on his feet. This is the start of a series of actions and events which lead to the two main characters, Nadia and Iain, after first meeting at her uncles tobacconist shop in 1928, to be reunited in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in 1945. The intervening years are tense, dramatic and romantic leading to a nail-biting action packed ending with one beautiful surprise to finish.
This book has a bit of everything, humour, love, drug dealers, espionage and more action at the end than a 007 movie. The intelligent yet easy to read writing style of Julian Lees makes this a book suitable for men and women of all ages. I loved it and so did my husband - recommended.
The book starts off with a macabre discovery of a body, following a typhoon and flooding, in which he appears to have drowned yet, strangely, has no flesh on his feet. This is the start of a series of actions and events which lead to the two main characters, Nadia and Iain, after first meeting at her uncles tobacconist shop in 1928, to be reunited in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in 1945. The intervening years are tense, dramatic and romantic leading to a nail-biting action packed ending with one beautiful surprise to finish.
This book has a bit of everything, humour, love, drug dealers, espionage and more action at the end than a 007 movie. The intelligent yet easy to read writing style of Julian Lees makes this a book suitable for men and women of all ages. I loved it and so did my husband - recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Alessi Lover
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
A romantic love story that flows from the heart of the author.
From 1928 to World War Two the attention to detail, well right from the start with the violent typhoon, it just gives you a taste of what is to come. The way in which Lees portrays his characters and the surroundings is just awe inspiring, you actually feel as though you know them.
At times you can actually see yourself being in the places and smelling the various aromas, as he describes things so vividly.
Not wanting to spoil any of the novel by telling the tale, just grab a copy and see for yourself.
A great story teller that does it with passion.
From 1928 to World War Two the attention to detail, well right from the start with the violent typhoon, it just gives you a taste of what is to come. The way in which Lees portrays his characters and the surroundings is just awe inspiring, you actually feel as though you know them.
At times you can actually see yourself being in the places and smelling the various aromas, as he describes things so vividly.
Not wanting to spoil any of the novel by telling the tale, just grab a copy and see for yourself.
A great story teller that does it with passion.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By clive
Format:Paperback
A great book with plenty of cliff hangers at the end of chapters, but you don't role your eyes when you start the next chapter as they are not predictable. Secondary characters such as Costas are well developed and keep the reader interested in the developing fortunes of all the books characters, not just the two main ones: Iain and Nadia.
The first section of the book is somewhat of a detective story with the emerging love story in the background, thereafter the love story gets begins in earnest and the main protagonists 9-5 job takes a back seat and the book starts to get traction. The final chapter covers the period of Japanese occupation in Hong Kong is the high point of the book - the attention to detail of the setting and one assumes the realities of life in a Japanese Internment Camp make it the most compelling section of the book.
The location for the Fan Tan players will provides plenty of landmarks for those who have visited or lived in Maccau and to a lesser extent Hong Kong, but an absence of knowledge of these places does not take away from the book.
The first section of the book is somewhat of a detective story with the emerging love story in the background, thereafter the love story gets begins in earnest and the main protagonists 9-5 job takes a back seat and the book starts to get traction. The final chapter covers the period of Japanese occupation in Hong Kong is the high point of the book - the attention to detail of the setting and one assumes the realities of life in a Japanese Internment Camp make it the most compelling section of the book.
The location for the Fan Tan players will provides plenty of landmarks for those who have visited or lived in Maccau and to a lesser extent Hong Kong, but an absence of knowledge of these places does not take away from the book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Nelly Thomas
Format:Paperback
Great plot and a page-turner!
Lees is an amazing story teller - descriptive and compelling.
I was immersed in the drama, love, courage and lives of the characters in the book.
I am hoping for more of Lees' books to be published in English!
Lees is an amazing story teller - descriptive and compelling.
I was immersed in the drama, love, courage and lives of the characters in the book.
I am hoping for more of Lees' books to be published in English!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
From the opening scene of legions of rats fleeing a violent typhoon through the streets of Macao through to the novel's thrilling conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed Julian Lees' vivid portrayal of post-World War 1 and World War 2 Macao, Hong Kong and Russia. The fast-paced story and engaging writing style made this unique period in history come alive for me in new ways. A very satisfying read of historical fiction!
I look forward to reading more of Mr Lees books in the future.
I look forward to reading more of Mr Lees books in the future.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Deep Reader
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
In one of the world's most beautiful and tempestuous regions Julian Lees has created an epic novel of fascinating, colourful characters, swift action, intrigue and deep feeling. Nadia Shashkova was a child refugee from Russia but now, in 1928 China, wonders what lies ahead. If she had a crystal ball she would see a future of adversity and adventure, a return to Mother Russia, war with Japan, and love but, for now, it seems bleak. Soon the British Consul's representative, Iain Sutherland, will come into her life with, it may be, rather more to him than at first appears. The Fan Tan Players is unputdownable, a gripping novel with a wonderful heroine, that has the pages turning until the story is done. Julian Lees fills the imagination with his complex, exciting China and his many fans are already looking for more.Tell Me Where You AreLove, Revenge & Buttered SconesYin Yang Tattoo (Sandstone Fiction)The Piano TeacherHotel on the Corner of Bitter and SweetThe Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet more.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good suspenseful read
I enjoyed the plot, characterisations and historical insight. Having been to both Macau and Hong Kong several decades ago it was good to increase my background knowledge base.
Published 3 months ago by Sarah Singleton
2.0 out of 5 stars
Some Great Writing Kyboshed by Clumsily Incorporated Research, Sloppy...
Where to start with this book which I wanted to love and almost did but in the end it annoyed me no end. Read more
Published 16 months ago by D. Kirkman
3.0 out of 5 stars
A fast paced adventurous love story
In this story Julian Lees really has thrown everything into the mix, Russian history, Chinese and Japanese history, the Second World War, a love story, a thriller, a tale of... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2010 by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
3.0 out of 5 stars
Russia, Macao, Scotland, Hong Kong
This novel spans the years 1928 - 1945, most of it taking place in Macao, though moving to Scotland, and then to Hong Kong at the time of the Japanese occupation. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2010 by Eileen Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love story in the Far East
This is a fascinating well written story set in various locations including Macao and Scotland. The story opens in 1928 with Nadia - a White Russian who escaped with her mother... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2010 by Damaskcat
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