Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Russian Concubine (The Russian Concubine #1)

by Kate Furnivall (Goodreads Author)

3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 · rating details · 4,970 ratings · 692 reviews

A sweeping novel set in war-torn 1928 China, with a star-crossed love story at its center.

In a city full of thieves and Communists, danger and death, spirited young Lydia Ivanova has lived a hard life. Always looking over her shoulder, the sixteen-year-old must steal to feed herself and her mother, Valentina, who numbered among the Russian elite until Bolsheviks murdered...more

Paperback, 517 pages

Published June 27th 2007 by Berkley Trade

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Tatiana and Alexander by Paullina Simons

War/Romance novels

22nd out of 157 books — 281 voters

Best Novels in Female Perspective

33rd out of 268 books — 219 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Sep 20, 2008 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

First of all I give this book two big thumbs up. I LOVED IT. I would rate it a harsh pg-13. Very little language, but a couple of steamy love making, and a couple of nasty violent scenes (all of which had to be there to make the book so great).

I'm going to start with a quote straight from the book. This summs up the books meaning.

"...now she knew tht you didn't survive on your own. Everyone who touched your life sent a ripple effect through you, and all the ripples interconnected. She could sens...more

9 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2009 Ali rated it 1 of 5 stars

Blech. This sounded exactly like a book I would love. It's historical fiction, lots of drama, a hint of romance in the storyline, but I couldn't have cared less what happened to these people. The first chapter was harsh, but it kind of grabbed you. Then, it was all downhill from there. The mother, whom you thought was going to be this big champion for her daughter, all of a sudden is horrible and doesn't care a fig about anyone in chapter two. I understand the need to make characters complex and...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 13, 2008 Lorileinart rated it 1 of 5 stars

The Russian Concubine started out like Cool Whip: light & fluffy. But I thought to myself, "Sometimes Cool Whip is good!" Unfortunately, midway through, I began to feel as if I'd eaten an entire tub of that crap. Then came page 331, and I knew I couldn't read another line and still respect myself in the morning:
"...Enjoy this breath, Po Chu, because it will be your last if you call my beloved a whore again..."
"She begged. Ah, Tiyo Willbee, how she begged..."
"Begged? For what?"
"For our ho...more

10 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2008 Louisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

I REALLY tried to like this book. I forced myself to keep reading, thinking and hoping that I would get hooked by the characters at some point. But, I have officially given up. Considering this is a period romance set in China during the 1920s, you'd think this was right up my alley. I certainly did. However, I was never interested in the characters that much. (And as a high school teacher a love story about 16-year-olds is disturbing on many levels.) Also, I felt that some passages read like a...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 31, 2009 Jessi rated it 5 of 5 stars

I chose this book from the book store mainly because of the front cover. The picture is very beautiful, and the title is intriguing. Although, after reading through the book, I don't really understand why it's called The Russian Concubine. Yes, Lydia and Chang are lovers, but concubine just gives a different connotation. Chang wouldn't be able to afford a concubine.

The book has such a wonderful array of rich and overlapping characters. If you meet a character once, you can be sure to meet them a...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 17, 2013 Sue rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Russian Concubine series. I happened to read the third one first which was a prequel to this one (The Jewel of St. Petersburg). I liked "The Jewel" so much better than the "Russian Concubine." The characters you meet in the "Concubine" seem so flawed and almost not the same people I read about in "The Jewel." I loved and admired Valentina in "The Jewel", but did not like her at all in the "Concubine." The experience of fleeing for her life during the Bolshevik Revol...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Story Description:

Berkley Trade|August 7, 2007|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-425-21558-6

A sweeping novel set in war-torn 1928 China, with a star-crossed love story at its center. In a city full of thieves and Communists, danger and death, spirited young Lydia Ivanova has lived a hard life. Always looking over her shoulder, the sixteen-year-old must steal to feed herself and her mother, Valentina, who numbered among the Russian elite until Bolsheviks murdered most of them, including her husband. As...more Story Description:

Berkley Trade|August 7, 2007|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-425-21558-6

A sweeping novel set in war-torn 1928 China, with a star-crossed love story at its center. In a city full of thieves and Communists, danger and death, spirited young Lydia Ivanova has lived a hard life. Always looking over her shoulder, the sixteen-year-old must steal to feed herself and her mother, Valentina, who numbered among the Russian elite until Bolsheviks murdered most of them, including her husband. As exiles, Lydia and Valentina have learned to survive in a foreign land.

Often, Lydia steals away to meet with the handsome young freedom fighter Chang An Lo. But they face danger. Chiang Kai Shek’s troops are headed toward Junchow to kill Reds like Chang, who has in his possession the jewels of a tsarina, meant as a gift for the despot’s wife. The young pair’s all-consuming love can only bring shame and peril upon them, from both sides. Those in power will do anything to quell it. But Lydia and Chang are powerless to end it.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel although I found the beginning few chapters a bit slow. I’m glad I stuck with it as it turned out to be an amazing historical story!

Set in Junchow, China in 1928, sixteen-year-old Russian, Lydia Ivanova and her mother, Valentina are mired in poverty. Lydia is forced to steal and sell what she gets to pay the rent and feed herself and her mother.

The author did a fantastic job of detailing the sights, sounds, and smells that you felt as though you were right there in Junchow. The other great aspect of this novel was the depiction of the cultural clashes between the British, Chinese, and Russians.

I felt so sad for, Lydia who met, Chan An Lo, a freedom fighter and Communist whom she fell deeply in love with but could never truly have him or marry him. Lydia’s mother, Valentina was a useless, lazy woman who layed around all day smoking cigarettes and drinking vodka while her daughter starved.

I loved this book and would highly recommend it for anyone but it would make a great bookclub read.
(less)

like · see review

Sep 28, 2012 pianetino89 rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. In realtà sarebbero 3 stelle e 3/4 circa...

Sicuramente l'adattamento del testo non è
dei migliori: mancano verbi e articoli, e
molto spesso le frasi sono lunghissime e
talvolta senza senso. Molte frasi dei dialoghi
sono riportate in russo o in cinese, il che
non permette una piena comprensione degli
avvenimenti. Sul titolo poi non so davvero
che dire! Fino a che non si arriva alla lettera
di Valentina alla fine quasi, non ha senso!
Sicuramente la concubina non può essere
Lydia, giovane ragazza che scopre...more

like · see review

Jul 08, 2012 Karlyn rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Apr 11, 2012 Jilly rated it 3 of 5 stars

I saw this book while at CostCo (big warehouse food place that also has books and movies for cheaper than normal) and while the cover looked appealing the back of the book (above) caught my interest. Granted it took me nearly 2 months to actually read the book but it was worth it.

Kate Furnivall was definitely knew to me. I'd never before read anything by her though I hope to remedy that in the future by reading her next book which is due out tomorrow (what luck) and the sequel to this book which...more I saw this book while at CostCo (big warehouse food place that also has books and movies for cheaper than normal) and while the cover looked appealing the back of the book (above) caught my interest. Granted it took me nearly 2 months to actually read the book but it was worth it.

Kate Furnivall was definitely knew to me. I'd never before read anything by her though I hope to remedy that in the future by reading her next book which is due out tomorrow (what luck) and the sequel to this book which will be coming out next year.

While Furnivall's stories felt a little hard to get into, it did grab your attention. I liked how she moved swiftly over things so that you didn't feel like you were getting bogged down in something that got boring to you.

Lydia is wild but sweet. She means well when she steals, hoping to spare her mother and get enough money to pay their rent and give them something to eat, which doesn't mean it is right. Still, Lydia is trying to survive and after one such theft she stumbles into the wrong area and finds herself in danger from a Chinese gang. This is where she meets Chang An Lo and despite his distaste for everything foreign he can't seem to help the way he is attracted to Lydia.

Lydia pushes not only the law, but her mother, teacher, and the truth. Lydia is a ready liar even though she knows it is wrong and often feels bad about what she does.

Her mother Valentina is a broken woman who wanted only to have her husband and child but was left without the love of her life, no money and a child to feed. Valentina at times seems terribly selfish but it becomes obvious that she sacrifices herself time and again for her daughter and hates herself deeply for the extremes she has had to go to.

Chang is a hard character to even pin down because for the most part he is silent only speaking when it actually matters. His love for Lydia takes him to extremes that test the law and his gods and the limits of the human body. He will stop at nothing to keep Lydia safe and would even sacrifice himself.

The other character in this story that seems important is the teacher Theo Willoughby. It struck me as odd that Diana Gabaldon rated this book and that there was a Willoughby character in it just like her story Voyager. It could be a coincidence or not. Theo is an idealist. He loves China and thinks that while the Western world is changing to much of it that both the Europeans and Chinese can come to some mutual ground while they fight around him. All his ideals get him swept up in a drug ring that he can barely get out of and leaves the lives of those devastated.

Theo is an important character because through it all he is the one that helps those around him despite the peril to his own life.

Furnivall brought the characters to life masterfully and really makes you see the world you sink into as you turn the pages. This is a book I believe I will keep.(less)

like · see review

Feb 16, 2012 Bethany rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book engaged me the entire time! I wash nearly 4/5 of the way through before I was actually able to start making some predictions, which is pretty incredible since I tend to hypothesize plots too quickly. I suppose that's what you get when you're an English major. But not The Russian Concubine. I kept trying to predict, but my brain just came up with blank!

And it was completely engrossing! I haven't gasped aloud like this since high school! And certainly not several times! And the plot twi...more

like · see review

Oct 08, 2011 Sarka rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is actually Book two in a current trilogy that I am reading. Wow.... What I love about this story is that the author is not sugar coating anything. If blood is to be spilled, it is and big time. It opens your mind to the true Russian and Chinese history in the early part of the last century. The Bolshevik and Communist history. and in between it has the forbidden love stories first of the mother and then her daughter too. If you only read book 1 "The Jewel of St Petersberg" you will end up...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 06, 2011 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, historical-fiction, china

This is not (to my relief) a romance novel mistakenly placed in the historical fiction section. It is in fact a complex historical novel centered around a truly engaging young woman, a White Russian refugee living in 1920's China. I actually found the romance to be not only unrealistic, but the weakest part of the book. The "love at first sight" bit seemed silly, and Lydia's ready acceptance of Chang's communist ideals was at odds with her own past (losing her father, whom she still hero-worship...more

like · see review

Jul 16, 2010 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm trying to refrain from using the one word that was commonly used by most of the critics, but the more I think of it, the more I realize that there really is no other word to describe this work other than: "epic". With love, loss, and historical references, this novel is both gripping and emotionally charging.

Before I go into further detail about what the story is about, I do need to give you a heads up about the title. Although the novel is entitled The Russian Concubine, neither of the Russ...more I'm trying to refrain from using the one word that was commonly used by most of the critics, but the more I think of it, the more I realize that there really is no other word to describe this work other than: "epic". With love, loss, and historical references, this novel is both gripping and emotionally charging.

Before I go into further detail about what the story is about, I do need to give you a heads up about the title. Although the novel is entitled The Russian Concubine, neither of the Russian leading women in this novel were concubines. That was a slight problem I had with the story because I kept anticipating a kidnapping of some sort of Lydia, the main character, and having her become a concubine. Nope, never happened.

Anyway, this story is set in Junchow, China in the late 1920s (approximately). Centered around the romance of the cunning young Lydia Ivanova and the serene but intense Chang An Lo, the story had a way of connecting all of the character plots together to form a compelling story of love and survival. The way I determine whether or not I'm going to buy a book is first (and shamefully so) by the cover; then, if the book passes the cover test, I open it up and start reading the first couple lines. Usually I read a couple of lines and can tell off the bat if I'm going to buy the book or not. With this one, I found that I didn't realize how much I was reading until I reached the end of the first chapter. I'm telling you, the story will take a hold of you and pull you in.

Given the amount of research that Furnivall spent to write this story, you would think that this would be a high density novel. However, I found it to be a very easy read and often times wondered if it was, in fact, a story for pre-teens. Then I reached the sex scenes. Yeah, that combined with the violence and drug trafficking makes this novel definitely not for kids.

I would definitely recommend this to the feminist crowd of my generation if you're looking for a thrill without a headache. The ending made me hope that there would be a sequel, and upon checking out Ms. Furnivall's website, I was stoked to see that not only is there a sequel, but this book is part of a series that I can't wait to get my hands on. The entire time I was reading this, I kept hoping that this would be made into a major motion picture one day. Here's to hoping.

Oh, before I go, there was another thing that struck me as bothersome at some points in the story. Lydia's love interest Chang An Lo, was often addressed as "Chang". Just for your own knowledge (if you didn't already know this) the way the Chinese introduce each other is by Family Name (last name), Middle Name, then finally First Name. So really, the character's first name is Lo, but Lydia kept calling him by his last name like an athletic coach. Sorry, that's the Chinese side in me coming out to be annoying, but now that you know I hope it doesn't bug you. I certainly didn't mind it; I found it amusing. (less)

like · see review

May 22, 2010 Anita rated it 5 of 5 stars

What an excellent book! I loved the characters, the stories, the connections. This takes place pre-revolutionary China. I found reading about culture, about the politics and traditions of the time very interesting (however I'm sure there are inaccuracies of course). I found it especially amusing how the English and Russians referred to the Chinese as "barbarians," and the Chinese referred to all foreigners as the same. And even more so, I could understand how each drew their opinions . It was sa...more

like · see review

Jul 17, 2009 RNOCEAN rated it 4 of 5 stars

The experiences of the author's mother inspired this debut novel, a somewhat improbable tale of star-crossed love in 1928 China. Valentina Ivanova and her 16-year-old daughter, Lydia, White Russian refugees, live in grinding poverty in the International Settlement of Junchow, subsisting off whatever presents Valentina can charm from gentlemen admirers and the profits Lydia makes from pawning stolen goods. When Lydia inadvertently attracts the unwelcome attentions of a criminal gang, the Black Sn...more

like · see review

May 19, 2009 KED rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. First, something that keeps coming up - the title. My best guess is that it's called Russian Concubine because there are hints of Valentina being a slave to money from men - letting men have her to keep her family fed, clothed, her daughter in school etc. While she was not a concubine she essentially sold herself and used her sexuality to gain what she wanted or needed. It started in the first scene where she virtually offers herself up to save her child’s life and towards the end she marries a...more First, something that keeps coming up - the title. My best guess is that it's called Russian Concubine because there are hints of Valentina being a slave to money from men - letting men have her to keep her family fed, clothed, her daughter in school etc. While she was not a concubine she essentially sold herself and used her sexuality to gain what she wanted or needed. It started in the first scene where she virtually offers herself up to save her child’s life and towards the end she marries a man she does not love to allow for a better life for her daughter. Also – possibly because when Chang originally saved Lydia she was going to be taken to be a sex slave if she had been successfully kidnapped. Thoughts?

Though that may be reading too much into this pretty poorly written book. I would have put it down was it not chosen for a book club. I only managed to marginally gain interest in the weakly developed characters. The best thing was the detail of the setting, but otherwise it was trying too hard. The writing for the most part was painful in its over-descriptions that didn’t work to create a palpable scene or character, but rather drivel trying to sound artistic or something: “As translucent as dragon’s breath. As fragile as the heart of a lotus flower. The bowl fitted into the curve of his hand as if it belonged there” It honestly reminded me of when a high-schooler writes and uses a thesaurus to try to make his or her writing “better”.

The plot was pretty poorly constructed – the love story completely unbelievable. The odd assortment of sub-plots that didn’t mean anything. Then the 18 twists at the end as if it were sweeps week on a day-time soap opera… AND Valentina Blew up… AND your father is alive…AND Alexei is your brother… AND now we’re going to go find our dad together! That was all after Lydia was kidnapped, tortured, Chang sacrificed his principals for his “love”, Lydia murdered the gang leader, etc… Way too much plot for one book…with too little of character development.

I think the story actually had potential if the love story had been left out and it was just a more developed, tighter story about a mother and daughter surviving in China in that time period. The only two characters I really felt anything for were Theo and Liev… not even sure why, just seemed more interesting to me than most others. If you like romance novel type stories… this may be for you. I just appreciate good writing and good, believable character development to keep me entertained - not so much reliance on plot twists and turns and “quivering thighs”.
(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 25, 2009 Caitlinstuart07 rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy this book, but it isnt what one would think from the title. The book takes place in China after the Russian Revolution has forced many white Russians to flee their homes and Lenin/Stalin. Lydia and her mother, Valentina, escaped Russia and now scrape out a living in Junchow. Lydia's Danish Father, Jans Friis, was captured and imprisoned while the family fled. The story follows Lydia's escapades and efforts to keep a roof over her head and her family safe, while at the same time ex...more

like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Gaile rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: early-20th-century, china, exotic-locales, emery-s-2011-challenge

Lydia is a Russian refugee who along with her mother is now living in China In a community with other refugees but the times are dangerous. China is in a guerrilla between the communists and the kaomintangs. Lydian meet a young communist Chinese. Chang An Lo. They fall in love but fate is against them.
The author piles suspense upon suspense spiced with violence, danger and young love until I could hardly get my breath. It is a long book for so much suspense.The end is left hanging as this novel...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 19, 2008 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

It doesn't really have an ending which is very irritating, especially as I really wanted to know what would happen to the characters. It's very intestesting though, it's about a half-Russian, Half-Danish girl at an English school in China and her relationship with a Triad. An its set in the imperial era. So lots of different cultures which I enjoyed. I like it a lot, apart from the lack of an ending!
I'm currently re-reading it and it's still good.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 13, 2013 Rawles rated it 4 of 5 stars

The bad news is, this book has a wide open ending. The good news is...there's a sequel!!! Whoo hoo! So I just finished reading The Secret Piano all about the Chinese Cultural Revolution and thought I'd switch gears to Russia based on the title here (my sis in law gave me this book so I just grabbed it off my TO BE READ shelf), only to find myself back in Mao's China but in a different perspective altogether. Lydia is totally relatable if a bit strong willed for a 16 year old, but look at how she...more

like · see review

Jul 28, 2011 Mirah W rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was not expecting to be as engrossed by this books as I was. Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. I was reminded of the Paullina Simons novel 'The Bronze Horseman'. Political unrest and controversy, forbidden love, social class and supposed superiority, and search for power all come to gether to create a vivid plot that centers around Lydia...a girl born in Russia who now lives with her mother in China. I love it when authors make places another character in their novels. In th...more

like · see review

Aug 02, 2010 Daniela rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book started out well. I liked Kate Furnivall's narrative style, and really enjoyed the fact that it was set in Junchow in the 1920s. This was an interesting time for China, due to the strong presence of foreigners from Europe and the United States, who were living in settlements (called international settlements, that were divided based on nationalities of the inhabitants) in China's major cities. I liked reading about life in the different sections of the settlements and about what was go...more

like · see review

Jul 19, 2011 Helen rated it 5 of 5 stars

This stunning historical-fiction epic brings the atmosphere of 1920s China vividly to life. Furnivall draws an excellent portrait of this distant time and place. Quite a gripping read, with all the extremes of a tender love story, violent kidnappings, depravity and wealth beyond belief, political turmoil and scenes of extraordinary heroism, heart-wrenching personal sacrifice and heartless, unbelievable cruelty. It leaves one amazed at the courage and downright spunk of Lydia, the main character...more

like · see review

Apr 07, 2013 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was somewhat daunted seeing the size of this novel but once I started reading the first few pages, believe me it was a page turner!

The work is fiction but some of the story is inspired by the writer's mother and grandmother. It made me wonder just how much!

The first chapter sets the scene and at times the desperate tone of the book. A mother, father and young daughter are fleeing Russia on a train which is stopped by Bolshevik's- the family is split.

Lydia and her mom Valentina end up on their...more

like · see review

Oct 14, 2011 Teri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-this-author-again, pre-revolutionary-china, historical-fiction

THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE is a great story of love, loss and conflicting loyalties in a fascinatingly precarious moment of history. The wonderfully drawn and all-too-human characters struggle to survive in a world of danger and bewildering change, constantly choosing whether to embrace the past or to escape it, caught between cultures, ideologies - and the growing realization that only the frail reed of love is strong enough to withstand the destroying winds of time.
The Russian Concubine is a sweepi...more

like · see review

Dec 11, 2012 Jori Richardson rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: asia, fluffy-ridiculousness, writer-from-england, worst-couples, laughably-absurd

Set in 1928 Jungchow, China, this book follows Lydia, a Russian young woman who immigrated there as a child with her mother. Lydia spends her days going to a school that her mother cannot afford, pickpocketing on the Chinese streets, and struggling to get by in her poor community. Her life changes drastically when she meets Chang An Lo, a brave young Communist code-breaker. Lydia becomes caught up in Chang's idea of freedom and equality, and despite their differences in culture, feels increasing...more Set in 1928 Jungchow, China, this book follows Lydia, a Russian young woman who immigrated there as a child with her mother. Lydia spends her days going to a school that her mother cannot afford, pickpocketing on the Chinese streets, and struggling to get by in her poor community. Her life changes drastically when she meets Chang An Lo, a brave young Communist code-breaker. Lydia becomes caught up in Chang's idea of freedom and equality, and despite their differences in culture, feels increasingly drawn to him.

Kate Furnivall's chick-lit writing hovers around mediocre to bad.
Amongst the positive sides of her book, she admittedly describes the rich, exotic setting of China realistically and lushly, down to the sounds, smells, and feel of the culture. I loved the way that this book brought China to life. However, there is a negative side. Instead of relying on her writing, she constantly describes China itself in the same words, popular examples being "exotic," "dangerous" or "strange," as if reassuring herself or the reader that this is what her descriptions are suggesting.
There are countless times in the book where any given character (almost every single one, in fact) somehow all have the same thought, something along the lines of "....but this was China, a dangerous and exotic country...." or "China was a world that was exotic and strange, and dangerous underneath..."
It was as if Furnivall was saying to herself "They got that, didn't they? Hmm... Maybe I better write it in outright terms - again." It got old and extremely annoying.

Lydia's relationship with her love interest, Chang An Lo, was a mess. It simply did not work. Calling this a love story is laughable.
Lydia never even has any romantic feelings for Chang until hundreds and hundreds of pages into the book (well over halfway through). Before that, she simply feels "responsible" for him and they go around stalking each other, one watching the other from the bushes or from afar on the streets. By the way, apparently having a creepy stalker crush is remarkably convenient and will save your life and ward off rapist thugs. Trust me - it saves both Chang and Lydia, though mainly Lydia, in this book about half a dozen times.
No great love story translates into this story. The romance is incredibly superficial and cliche, without any believability whatsoever. When Lydia wants to run away with Chang, I found myself hoping that it wouldn't work out, because I just saw them as a casual fling, and besides that strongly disliked him.

Though Lydia's relationship with Chang falls utterly flat, the other relationships in the book are better. The way that Lydia and her mother are so close, and yet so far apart, seemed very realistic to me, and was probably one of the stronger aspects of the novel. Lydia's distrust and subsequent dislike of her new stepfather, which of course gradually turns to friendship and loyalty, is also well drawn, if not predictable.

Despite all this below average writing, I wasn't prepared for just how horrendous the ending was. I was expecting a conveniently finished, poorly written ending in which everything turns out well for the characters, probably via a love interest being suspiciously and conveniently stowed away in the nearest bush.
however, the author used the ending to advertise her next piece of not-worth-your-time book and concluded in a cliffhanger. All of sudden, a character was abruptly done away with (and not in any sort of likely or believable way), a mysterious letter appeared out of nowhere (apparently that had been "hidden" for years and now the other characters just so happen to find it, and a great secret is uncovered! Wow, just in time for book two! I feel that ending any book this way is a cheap, tacky trick, and Furnivall is now forever blocked from my shelves or reading lists for it. (less)

like · see review

Jun 24, 2012 thewanderingjew rated it 2 of 5 stars

In 1917, a family caught in the midst of the Russian Revolution, is literally ripped apart when Russian revolutionary soldiers assault the train taking the exiles out of the country. Valentina Ivanova tries to barter for the lives of her husband and daughter. Lydia is saved, but her husband is beaten and dragged off with the rest of the men and children who have been forced from the train by the soldiers. The book was very loosely based on the life of the author’s mother.
At first glance, I reali...more In 1917, a family caught in the midst of the Russian Revolution, is literally ripped apart when Russian revolutionary soldiers assault the train taking the exiles out of the country. Valentina Ivanova tries to barter for the lives of her husband and daughter. Lydia is saved, but her husband is beaten and dragged off with the rest of the men and children who have been forced from the train by the soldiers. The book was very loosely based on the life of the author’s mother.
At first glance, I realized that the cover would not have drawn me to the book, and although I found the first 350 pages hard to read, I soldiered on, because it was the selection for my book group. Finally, I gave up and skimmed the rest of the pages so that I could get to the end and find out the conclusion. I hoped it would get better and draw me back into the story, but for me, the book continued to descend more and more into the realm of the ridiculous. Instead of concentrating on the historic fiction of the time in the early 20th century, which was rich with information, the author chose to make it a silly love story, complete with erotic scenes, about a Russian teenage girl and a young Chinese Communist sympathizer, set in the International Settlement area of China in 1928.
Valentina and Lydia are without papers or money. They are in a hopeless situation, dependent on the favors of others or their own cunning for their survival. Lydia has grown up to be a thief and a liar, but also a survivor, at all costs. She is completely willful and unrealistic in her approach to life and the fact that she survives defies the imagination. Simply put, she gets away with the most ridiculous encounters with danger. The book requires the suspension of disbelief, as it often puts Lydia into the position of someone from the landed gentry, when she is really living in poverty, dressed in threadbare clothes and attending school on scholarship. It is odd that she knows how to behave appropriately in all situations. Her speech and attitude is often equal to that of someone raised as an aristocrat, rather than in an attic room by a mother often drunk from too much vodka. From moment to moment, confusingly, she slips from child to adult.
Her decisions are dangerous, naïve and foolish. She gives no thought to the consequences of her actions and shows little understanding or remorse for what her actions have wrought, even in the conclusion. Although she is bright and resourceful, she is thoughtless and shows little concern for how her impetuous, irrational behavior will affect others. It was hard to find any redemptive lesson or any healthy resolution to any of the issues raised in this story. Lydia experiences, first hand, the horrific brutality of the conflict between the Kuomintang and the Communists but the situations and outcomes are difficult to believe.
The story felt more like a flight of the imagination, than a novel reminiscent of the Russian past of the author’s mother and grandmother. One scene in particular was simply inappropriate and completely lacked credibility for me. The young Lydia is making love to Chang, in her own room, while her mother is honeymooning, although he is only days from being lice and maggot infested, mutilated and feverish, unconscious and barely alive. In addition, she is sixteen, but apparently is endowed with healing skills and sexual prowess and desire, under these dreadful circumstances. What message was the author intending for her readers?(less)

like · see review

Aug 24, 2009 Debbilyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This would not be a book I would have picked up based on the cover or the name, ( I actually put a book cover over it because of my kids) but I really liked it. I would have not named it this either because most of the story is not about what I would have called a concubine.

It takes place in China during the beginnings of the Communist Revolution and explores the conflicted nature of living in China and also delves into Russian immigrants (fleeing communist Soviet Union) and the British in Chin...more

like · see review

May 20, 2013 Charlotte rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: interracial-romances

I did like this book. It was rather long and after about 300 pages, I was ready for it to end....but I did not become intrigued with the story until 300+ pages into the story. That's when the romance between Chang An Lo and Lydia began. This was not a romance but the differences in the cultures and Lydia's story line were riveting. There were a few "wow" moments of things that were revealed that I did not suspect.

I also question tne name of the book. IMO, the title is about the mom's role throu...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Fans of Interraci...: The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall	8	22	Sep 09, 2012 06:29pm

combine
Other Editions (20)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

252 users

Romance

56 users

Cultural > China

33 users

Cultural > Russia

28 users

Book Club

21 users

Romance > Historical Romance

16 users

Cultural > Asia

15 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

10 users

Adult

6 users

Adult Fiction

6 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Kate Furnivall

Kate Furnivall was raised in Penarth, a small seaside town in Wales. Her mother, whose own childhood was spent in Russia, China and India, discovered at an early age that the world around us is so volatile, that the only things of true value are those inside your head and your heart. These values Kate explores in The Russian Concubine.

Kate went to London University where she studied English and fr...more

More about Kate Furnivall...

Books by Kate Furnivall

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Russian Concu...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from The Russian Concubine

“Water was a state of mind. If you think it your friend when you swim in the river or wash away the dirt, why call it your enemy when it comes from the heavens? From the cup of the gods themselves.” — 6 people liked it

“The sight of you brings joy to my heart and makes my blood thunder in my veins. I know not how long I will be allowed to stand here. So there are words I must say. That you are the moon and the stars to me, and the air I breathe. To love you is to live. So if I die.... I will still live in you.” — 2 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: The Russian Concubine
avg rating	preview: The Russian Concubine Goodreads rating: 3.69 (4970 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1212868.The_Russian_Concubine?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348370362l/1212868.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1212868.The_Russian_Concubine?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall[/url]

The Russian Concubine (The Russian Concubine #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website