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Mike Cramer #1
The Chinaman
In front of the main entrance of the London department store, the motorcycle exploded in a blast of blinding white light. In the tradition of Len Deighton, Jack Higgins, and Ken Follett, Stephen Leather's "The Chinaman" delivers jolt after jolt of suspense — a novel of vivid characters, intense action and relentless excitement from the first page to the last. The only surviving members of Nguyen Ngoc Minh's family fell victims to the department store bomb. A North Vietnamese trained in guerrilla warfare, Nguyen had escaped to the south and fought with the U.S. Special Forces until the fall of Saigon. In London, he had found a peaceful new life. But now, his family's slaughter has aroused in the battered, slight survivor the passions of a warrior bent on revenge. The police and the politicians to whom Nguyen turns for help dismiss him as a bothersome "Chinaman." But journalist Ian Wood sees the obdurate Nguyen as the key to his big story — and gives him the name of a suspected terrorist leader. Belfast lawyer Liam Hennessy is one of the most powerful men in a terrorist network out of control; even he does not know who is behind the London bombings. When Nguyen unleashes a harrowing campaign of violence at his Irish countryside farm, Hennessey tries to make a secret deal with the British that may yield the terrorists' identities. As the savage bombings continue in London, Hennessy's wife flees to her lover's arms; a traitor undergoes a brutal interrogation; the rogue terrorists prepare their most gruesome assault; and the Chinaman races toward a violent climax. Packed with authentic detail and extraordinary scenes, "The Chinaman" vaults Stephen Leather to the very top rank of today's suspense novelists. Suspense
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
307 people are currently reading
2149 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
245 books1,529 followersStephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
September 7, 2023
Third of my Stephen Leather books finished. The last two had kicked Salman Rushdie into touch for a while. As Two Envelopes and a Phone mentioned on my last review this book was the story for the film ‘The Foreigner’ with Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan. A cracker of a film that I will now rewatch.
The Chinaman in the story is really a Vietnamese. Having worked in the past for the Americans in South Vietnam he had acquired certain killing skills. After his wife in daughter are killed by an IRA bomb in London he sells his Chinese restaurant and sets out to seek revenge.
The Author fleshes out his characters well and the violence is visceral. Whilst the books are written in the 90’s they are still relevant today. Excellent reading.
The Chinaman in the story is really a Vietnamese. Having worked in the past for the Americans in South Vietnam he had acquired certain killing skills. After his wife in daughter are killed by an IRA bomb in London he sells his Chinese restaurant and sets out to seek revenge.
The Author fleshes out his characters well and the violence is visceral. Whilst the books are written in the 90’s they are still relevant today. Excellent reading.
April 2, 2018
Goodreads has this book listed as The Chinaman (Mike Cramer #1). I just finished the book, literally less than an hour ago and I have no idea who the hell Mike Cramer is. This is my first book by Mr. Leather, probably not my last.
I saw the movie that was based on this book and while they generally followed the same plot the telling of the stories was much different. I highly recommend the movie, staring Jackie Chan in a pure drama/action role without his usual wisecracks or silliness that frankly I enjoy. But Mr. Chan showed what a very good actor his which can be detailed in one scene; him holding the lifeless body of his daughter who had just been killed in an IRA terrorist bomb attack in London. (This is not a spoiler for either the book or the movie, it's very early on in both.)
But I digress.
Obviously a book has more opportunity for detail than does a movie of 90 to 120 minutes and Mr. Leather didn't let us down. While the book started off slow it picked up after the first quarter and kept a brisk pace. It ended quite differently than the movie and I would be hard pressed to say one was better than the other.
This book and movie was filled with heartache, despair, anger and revenge. It tugged at my heartstrings and caused a tear or two to fall.
If you like action plots with a heavy dose of emotion, if you can relate to more than one side, then this is a novel (and movie) you will probably enjoy.
I saw the movie that was based on this book and while they generally followed the same plot the telling of the stories was much different. I highly recommend the movie, staring Jackie Chan in a pure drama/action role without his usual wisecracks or silliness that frankly I enjoy. But Mr. Chan showed what a very good actor his which can be detailed in one scene; him holding the lifeless body of his daughter who had just been killed in an IRA terrorist bomb attack in London. (This is not a spoiler for either the book or the movie, it's very early on in both.)
But I digress.
Obviously a book has more opportunity for detail than does a movie of 90 to 120 minutes and Mr. Leather didn't let us down. While the book started off slow it picked up after the first quarter and kept a brisk pace. It ended quite differently than the movie and I would be hard pressed to say one was better than the other.
This book and movie was filled with heartache, despair, anger and revenge. It tugged at my heartstrings and caused a tear or two to fall.
If you like action plots with a heavy dose of emotion, if you can relate to more than one side, then this is a novel (and movie) you will probably enjoy.
December 20, 2015
I read this book on first publication in the early 90’s and I enjoyed but I must admit on this second reading it felt somewhat dated if not dull and formulaic.
It certainly has an explosive (literally) start with the brutal death of the wife and daughter of a quietly spoken man called Nguyen Ngoc Minh. We quickly learn that this seemingly mild-mannered owner of a Chinese restaurant is in fact a trained and lethal killer from a long forgotten war in the killing fields of Vietnam. He wants revenge for the senseless murder of his family and uses his battle skills and training to single handedly start a one man war against the IRA. We follow Nguyen on his sad quest knowing that whatever the outcome the journey will be bloody and violent and yet hoping that some kind of justice will prevail.
This book is actually advertised as the first in the Mike “joker” Cramer series....which is a bit of a joke in itself as our very own muscle bound SAS hero only appears as the story concludes. His jokes, testosterone and muscle bound attitude is therefore very limited and for that I am eternally grateful because the real hero in the book is Nguyen Ngoc Minh.....a simple man living a quiet life when everything he knows and loves is destroyed and this sets him off on a journey with just one question....why??
It certainly has an explosive (literally) start with the brutal death of the wife and daughter of a quietly spoken man called Nguyen Ngoc Minh. We quickly learn that this seemingly mild-mannered owner of a Chinese restaurant is in fact a trained and lethal killer from a long forgotten war in the killing fields of Vietnam. He wants revenge for the senseless murder of his family and uses his battle skills and training to single handedly start a one man war against the IRA. We follow Nguyen on his sad quest knowing that whatever the outcome the journey will be bloody and violent and yet hoping that some kind of justice will prevail.
This book is actually advertised as the first in the Mike “joker” Cramer series....which is a bit of a joke in itself as our very own muscle bound SAS hero only appears as the story concludes. His jokes, testosterone and muscle bound attitude is therefore very limited and for that I am eternally grateful because the real hero in the book is Nguyen Ngoc Minh.....a simple man living a quiet life when everything he knows and loves is destroyed and this sets him off on a journey with just one question....why??
January 22, 2022
A fictional 1980s IRA bombing campaign undertaken by a rogue Active Service Unit outraged by the Sinn Fein leadership's move to a more conciliatory stance kills a mother and daughter out shopping when a Knightsbridge bomb explodes. Their father, a Viet Cong veteran and boat person seeks legitimate redress against the IRA but is let down by the establishment. He decides to take direct action to obtain revenge. It's a good yarn but only well written when Ng Yuen is in action and too much bad sex writing. Much ingenious stuff about homemade bombs and kit preparation by the man that all concerned, in their British and Irish ignorance refer to as 'The Chinaman'. The IRA are hopelessly outclassed. At one point Ng Yuen tells the Sinn Fein spokesman Hennessy that the IRA will never win because not enough people in Ireland care enough about getting the British out, unlike the Vietnamese who drove out the French.
August 7, 2025
The Chinaman, Nguyen Ngoc Minh, takes matters into his own hands to find the people responsible for the death of his wife and daughter after an IRA bomb explodes in a busy street. The Chinaman is an interesting thriller that makes for a surprisingly complex novel, which also works to its disadvantage to some degree.
While this book is technically a thriller, it’s a slow burn. It’s not a fast-paced read, but it’s definitely entertaining. There’s plenty of action, but it’s intermixed with sometimes long sequences of side story and political espionage. Nguyen is a fantastic lead character, and your heart will root for him to overcome every obstacle he faces. The action sequences are fantastically written, especially when Nguyen is in stealth mode stalking and terrorizing his opponents. It’s worth noting that while there are other “lead” characters, I didn’t find the connection to them to be as strong as Nguyen, which brings me to my major flaw with this novel.
After the halfway point, it feels like Leather struggled to decide who his main character was supposed to be. After the first few attacks on the farm, it seemed like the narrative wanted me to sympathize with Hennessy and Morrison, but I simply couldn’t. There were 20+ page stretches where the story left the Chinaman entirely in favor of focusing on them. I was like, “Woah, slow down a bit here, Leather. What are you doing with all of these characters and the plot?” After following Nguyen for over half of the book, he was the one I wanted to keep reading about.
That said, the novel does come to a suitable conclusion. It’s a bit of an empty ending that I won’t call disappointing, just different from what I would have hoped for. The book has its highs and lows. At times, it tries to be too complex and gets a bit lost in itself. But overall, I’m glad I read it.
This one is tough to rate. It’s probably a 3.5/5 for me, but it’s just “average” enough that I’m marking it a 3/5 for Goodreads. It’s an entertaining read that thriller fans will enjoy, but it could have used a bit more trimming to become a truly great thriller novel.
While this book is technically a thriller, it’s a slow burn. It’s not a fast-paced read, but it’s definitely entertaining. There’s plenty of action, but it’s intermixed with sometimes long sequences of side story and political espionage. Nguyen is a fantastic lead character, and your heart will root for him to overcome every obstacle he faces. The action sequences are fantastically written, especially when Nguyen is in stealth mode stalking and terrorizing his opponents. It’s worth noting that while there are other “lead” characters, I didn’t find the connection to them to be as strong as Nguyen, which brings me to my major flaw with this novel.
After the halfway point, it feels like Leather struggled to decide who his main character was supposed to be. After the first few attacks on the farm, it seemed like the narrative wanted me to sympathize with Hennessy and Morrison, but I simply couldn’t. There were 20+ page stretches where the story left the Chinaman entirely in favor of focusing on them. I was like, “Woah, slow down a bit here, Leather. What are you doing with all of these characters and the plot?” After following Nguyen for over half of the book, he was the one I wanted to keep reading about.
That said, the novel does come to a suitable conclusion. It’s a bit of an empty ending that I won’t call disappointing, just different from what I would have hoped for. The book has its highs and lows. At times, it tries to be too complex and gets a bit lost in itself. But overall, I’m glad I read it.
This one is tough to rate. It’s probably a 3.5/5 for me, but it’s just “average” enough that I’m marking it a 3/5 for Goodreads. It’s an entertaining read that thriller fans will enjoy, but it could have used a bit more trimming to become a truly great thriller novel.
December 16, 2012
In Vietnam Nguyen Ngoc Minh was a Vietnemase killer but he
switched sides and went with the US and he became a ruthless
hunter of his former comrades. At the end of the war the North
was overtaking the South and Nguyen had to get out with his
family. He made it to the American Embassy with passes to go
but the last copter was leaving and they could not get there in
time.He spent three years in a prison camp before he
escsped andfound his family. They made arrangements to get out
but one of his daughters became sick and he had to leave with
two daughters. His wife and one daughter stayed behind. The
boat they left on was hijacked in the South China Sea and Nguyen
was beat over the head and thrown overboard.H is daughters were
raped and killed. He manages to get picked up by a fishing
trawler and makes his way to England.He brings his wife and
daughter over and they open a little restaurant.They are shopping
one day when the store is targeted by an IRA bomb and they
are both killed.Nguyen is devestated and no one will help him
so he goes to Belfast and targets The Sinn Fenn. He wants the
names of the killers and the gloves are off. If you want a book
about revenge this is it.
switched sides and went with the US and he became a ruthless
hunter of his former comrades. At the end of the war the North
was overtaking the South and Nguyen had to get out with his
family. He made it to the American Embassy with passes to go
but the last copter was leaving and they could not get there in
time.He spent three years in a prison camp before he
escsped andfound his family. They made arrangements to get out
but one of his daughters became sick and he had to leave with
two daughters. His wife and one daughter stayed behind. The
boat they left on was hijacked in the South China Sea and Nguyen
was beat over the head and thrown overboard.H is daughters were
raped and killed. He manages to get picked up by a fishing
trawler and makes his way to England.He brings his wife and
daughter over and they open a little restaurant.They are shopping
one day when the store is targeted by an IRA bomb and they
are both killed.Nguyen is devestated and no one will help him
so he goes to Belfast and targets The Sinn Fenn. He wants the
names of the killers and the gloves are off. If you want a book
about revenge this is it.
October 5, 2019
One of my first Stephen Leather reads from years ago. Due to the movie I thought I would give it a re-read. Different in subtle ways from the movie, but the movie was tailored for Jackie Chan (and he did a great job). The book survives a 2nd reading with no problems. As Rambo's Last Blood demonstrates, do not tick off old war vets.
May 12, 2020
Umm
I watched the movie first before the book. Due to that admitting, I think the book was underwhelmed in comparison to the movie. However, when I read this book and I noticed there’s a lot of open endings for specific moments. This really dampens the story because this is a stand-alone story opposed to series. Too many open endings spoiled the closure. Also, chinaman basically vanished...little meh.
I watched the movie first before the book. Due to that admitting, I think the book was underwhelmed in comparison to the movie. However, when I read this book and I noticed there’s a lot of open endings for specific moments. This really dampens the story because this is a stand-alone story opposed to series. Too many open endings spoiled the closure. Also, chinaman basically vanished...little meh.
January 26, 2018
Solid action revenge thriller. Decent writing and action scenes. Just felt a little outdated but that is expected due to when it was written. Probably would have had more of a political impact back when originally written. Got this from a friend but I dont think they realised it was originally published some years back.
March 31, 2022
Thank god, I didn't watch the movie so I really enjoy this classic action thriller.
February 6, 2013
I was loaned this by a friend and I'll be honest, if I'd seen the book in a shop I'd have taken a quick look and moved on as at first glance it's nothing special.
It's actually quite an enjoyable if somewhat violent story but well written for what it is.
The Chinamen (actually Vietnamese) is not someone you would want to annoy!
They say it's the quiet ones you need to watch out for and boy are they right!
March 7, 2014
A very good read. Pact plot and some edge of the seat action. Well written with a reasonably intricate plot that does not answer all of the questions that you may have but not all questions need to be answered. Recommended for any thriller fans.
April 2, 2011
Interesting mix of Viet and IRA guerilla/terrorist methods and the influence of Libya on the IRA. Learned some things about bomb making. Good story.
September 14, 2018
Yes, I purchased the book because Jackie Chan is on the cover. I’m a long-time fan of the martial artist, although the release of the movie had unfortunately escaped my notice. And I must say, Mr. Chan is the ideal choice for the hero, Nguyen Ngoc Minh. THE FOREIGNER, whose original title was The Chinaman (particularly weird since Nguyen is Vietnamese), was first released in 1992, and, in some ways, it feels oddly dated. While there were computers, there weren’t any cell phones or internet, and it took me a while to put it out of my mind. I also realised that political correctness was not a thing in 1992; there are some seriously cringeworthy moments when reading it a quarter of a century later. Of course, I take none of this into consideration for my review, as the author is not to blame for something he wrote decades ago.
THE FOREIGNER is a gripping political thriller, fast-paced, and extremely enlightening on the Troubles, the Vietnam War, and I learned more from this book than I think from any other previous source. The characters are so exceptionally well written, that they all felt like real people to me, and I honestly wonder if at least a few of them weren’t actual people; the same goes for the action: it seems so realistic, that I felt like I was right in the middle of things (shudder). Mr. Leather is also a fine writer: his prose is crisp yet eloquent, his descriptions are eerily vivid, and he is a remarkable storyteller. Nguyen’s backstory is riveting and horrifying, and it was easy to understand his quest for justice. The story becomes even more compelling and chilling as it progresses, and the last chapter? GASP! I would have given THE FOREIGNER 4 stars, but that last chapter is worth a whole star, even though it did not end quite the way I would have liked, it was a mind-blowing conclusion! I haven’t looked yet, but I hope the next book picks up where this one left off. I hadn’t read any books by Stephen Leather prior to THE FOREIGNER, but I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of his books.
THE FOREIGNER is a gripping political thriller, fast-paced, and extremely enlightening on the Troubles, the Vietnam War, and I learned more from this book than I think from any other previous source. The characters are so exceptionally well written, that they all felt like real people to me, and I honestly wonder if at least a few of them weren’t actual people; the same goes for the action: it seems so realistic, that I felt like I was right in the middle of things (shudder). Mr. Leather is also a fine writer: his prose is crisp yet eloquent, his descriptions are eerily vivid, and he is a remarkable storyteller. Nguyen’s backstory is riveting and horrifying, and it was easy to understand his quest for justice. The story becomes even more compelling and chilling as it progresses, and the last chapter? GASP! I would have given THE FOREIGNER 4 stars, but that last chapter is worth a whole star, even though it did not end quite the way I would have liked, it was a mind-blowing conclusion! I haven’t looked yet, but I hope the next book picks up where this one left off. I hadn’t read any books by Stephen Leather prior to THE FOREIGNER, but I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of his books.
June 14, 2019
4 Stars
The Chinaman is the first book in the Mike Cramer Series by Stephen Leather. This was quite a gripping and intense thriller- with violence, bombing, explosions, mystery, crime, IRA/Political elements, grief, heartbreak, loss, revenge, drama, action, and intrigue.
The story kicks off with a bang and holds the intensity the whole way through. We follow Nguyen (the Chinaman) when his world is torn apart, where he feels forced to look for answers and deliver his own form of justice on those responsible for his grief.
A gripping and intense story!
Thank you, Mr. Leather!
The Chinaman is the first book in the Mike Cramer Series by Stephen Leather. This was quite a gripping and intense thriller- with violence, bombing, explosions, mystery, crime, IRA/Political elements, grief, heartbreak, loss, revenge, drama, action, and intrigue.
The story kicks off with a bang and holds the intensity the whole way through. We follow Nguyen (the Chinaman) when his world is torn apart, where he feels forced to look for answers and deliver his own form of justice on those responsible for his grief.
A gripping and intense story!
Thank you, Mr. Leather!
January 16, 2023
Интересна книга, особено описанието на нестандартните методи на война на Нгуен.
Но краят се дъни - той тъкмо реално победи и те решиха книгата и действието с вкарване на нови лица.
Почнах следващата.
Но краят се дъни - той тъкмо реално победи и те решиха книгата и действието с вкарване на нови лица.
Почнах следващата.
August 29, 2024
Fab book, watch the movie on netflix ater is amazing, called The Foreigner
November 11, 2019
Extraordinary and an awesome read.
October 17, 2017
Check out my other reviews at: https://rishikaspeaks.wordpress.com/
The bottom line:
A hard-hitting, emotional, violent story that is much more than what its title suggests.
My review:
The first thing to know about The Chinaman is that it is intensely emotional, especially during the backstory of the titular character. But it is equally hard-hitting during scenes where other characters interact. You really feel for the characters because everyone has something going on beyond what the world within the book sees, and their constant turmoil is beautifully displayed.
The second thing to know about it is that it is extremely violent. There are moments when you just cannot accept the horrifying scenes unfolding in front of you as you read, and are yet are compelled to move ahead. There is no sugar-coating on death. It is displayed in all its ugliness, and in its raw, heart-wrenching honesty.
The story itself is much more than what the title claims. While the Chinaman is an integral part of it – the one who ties everything together – there is a lot more going on. A lot of people play pivotal roles in the development of the story, making it much more than a simple tale of revenge. It is built on the foundation of a political issue, but avoids being typical in its delivery when venturing into the political aspects. There is always something happening and it keeps you turning the pages.
Stephen Leather’s style is refreshing. It is strong and raw. It does not shy away from depicting the horrors of life and death. And he creates strong characters who, through their strengths, weaknesses, and flaws, are incredibly human. It is also extremely detailed, delving into the real technical aspects of skills possessed by the characters. Also, the book comes with a good amount of twists you don’t see coming.
There are only two things I thought could have been done differently. The first is the amount of detail at every step – that could have been reduced. I loved reading about the Chinaman’s skill, but it did get a bit monotonous after a while. I mean, I don’t have to know every step taken to make every single bomb. The second is the reactions that some of the characters had at certain moments. They seemed highly absurd and although these were explained at a later point, I still think that they could have been handled better. These few problems did reduce the overall quality of the reading experience for me.
What I like most about the book is that it isn’t black and white. It is various shades of gray where antagonists seem to have a good side, and protagonists carry out the most heinous of acts. And yet, they all seem to do what their lives force them to do, forever burdened or comfortable with their own actions.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Chinaman, and Stephen Leather’s style. I’m definitely going to be adding him to my list of authors to follow. I’d recommend the book to:
- all readers who enjoy fiction
- thriller and mystery fans
I read The Chinaman when I did because of the movie inspired by it and that was to hit the cinema sometime now. While I’m still not sure if it’s going to be screened at any cinema in my city (which is terribly upsetting because I would have loved to see the adaptation), I’m still glad it gave me an opportunity to discover Stephen Leather.
The bottom line:
A hard-hitting, emotional, violent story that is much more than what its title suggests.
My review:
The first thing to know about The Chinaman is that it is intensely emotional, especially during the backstory of the titular character. But it is equally hard-hitting during scenes where other characters interact. You really feel for the characters because everyone has something going on beyond what the world within the book sees, and their constant turmoil is beautifully displayed.
The second thing to know about it is that it is extremely violent. There are moments when you just cannot accept the horrifying scenes unfolding in front of you as you read, and are yet are compelled to move ahead. There is no sugar-coating on death. It is displayed in all its ugliness, and in its raw, heart-wrenching honesty.
The story itself is much more than what the title claims. While the Chinaman is an integral part of it – the one who ties everything together – there is a lot more going on. A lot of people play pivotal roles in the development of the story, making it much more than a simple tale of revenge. It is built on the foundation of a political issue, but avoids being typical in its delivery when venturing into the political aspects. There is always something happening and it keeps you turning the pages.
Stephen Leather’s style is refreshing. It is strong and raw. It does not shy away from depicting the horrors of life and death. And he creates strong characters who, through their strengths, weaknesses, and flaws, are incredibly human. It is also extremely detailed, delving into the real technical aspects of skills possessed by the characters. Also, the book comes with a good amount of twists you don’t see coming.
There are only two things I thought could have been done differently. The first is the amount of detail at every step – that could have been reduced. I loved reading about the Chinaman’s skill, but it did get a bit monotonous after a while. I mean, I don’t have to know every step taken to make every single bomb. The second is the reactions that some of the characters had at certain moments. They seemed highly absurd and although these were explained at a later point, I still think that they could have been handled better. These few problems did reduce the overall quality of the reading experience for me.
What I like most about the book is that it isn’t black and white. It is various shades of gray where antagonists seem to have a good side, and protagonists carry out the most heinous of acts. And yet, they all seem to do what their lives force them to do, forever burdened or comfortable with their own actions.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Chinaman, and Stephen Leather’s style. I’m definitely going to be adding him to my list of authors to follow. I’d recommend the book to:
- all readers who enjoy fiction
- thriller and mystery fans
I read The Chinaman when I did because of the movie inspired by it and that was to hit the cinema sometime now. While I’m still not sure if it’s going to be screened at any cinema in my city (which is terribly upsetting because I would have loved to see the adaptation), I’m still glad it gave me an opportunity to discover Stephen Leather.
January 26, 2018
“Yeah, The Chinaman. Only I’ve found out he’s Vietnamese, not Chinese.”
Just one of the many twists in this book! I picked it up after seeing "The Foreigner", the movie adaptation that just came out on dvd. Turns out, this is one of those rare times where the movie is pretty faithful to the book! Only, for me, the IRA plot makes more sense in the book, as it was written in 1992, as opposed to the movie, which seemed to be set in 2017. Nguyen Ngoc Minh is one hell of a character and I was rooting for him the whole way!
p.s. - I find it kind of strange that Mike Cramer is the character that gets more books! He literally comes into this story 26 pages from the ending, and has almost no impact at all. Weird.
Just one of the many twists in this book! I picked it up after seeing "The Foreigner", the movie adaptation that just came out on dvd. Turns out, this is one of those rare times where the movie is pretty faithful to the book! Only, for me, the IRA plot makes more sense in the book, as it was written in 1992, as opposed to the movie, which seemed to be set in 2017. Nguyen Ngoc Minh is one hell of a character and I was rooting for him the whole way!
p.s. - I find it kind of strange that Mike Cramer is the character that gets more books! He literally comes into this story 26 pages from the ending, and has almost no impact at all. Weird.
June 17, 2020
4½ stars
This is the first book I've read by Stephen Leather and what a great read it was.
It tells the story of a Vietnamese man who lost his family in a bombing incident and sets out to avenge their deaths. This is the first of a trilogy and im already looking forward to starting the 2nd book in the series.
This is the first book I've read by Stephen Leather and what a great read it was.
It tells the story of a Vietnamese man who lost his family in a bombing incident and sets out to avenge their deaths. This is the first of a trilogy and im already looking forward to starting the 2nd book in the series.
October 15, 2012
Lent to me again by my neighbour. A great book if now after 230 years a bit politically dated. I don't think the IRA or the government would like this now although at the time of release would have been really current.
October 19, 2008
I loved it... blood, guts and vengence.... fantastic!
September 6, 2009
This is better than Rambo :)
October 26, 2012
Wanted to give it more stars, but...
I enjoyed the book, it flows easily and is well written. My issue? The ending. It all ends rather quickly and the main character becomes an after thought.
I enjoyed the book, it flows easily and is well written. My issue? The ending. It all ends rather quickly and the main character becomes an after thought.
June 19, 2021
A fast-paced book. I had read it some 10 years back, and again found this book, and enjoyed it again.
February 26, 2015
Entertaining but not profound. Interesting pov on the fallout from the US war on Viet Nam in the 1960's.
April 18, 2020
I came to this book via the Jackie Chan movie. I've been a fan of Mr Chan for many years. I recall back in the days of video stores my son and I ran across a small shop that had many of his early Hong Kong action movies. This was an action movie too but much darker than his usual style. I was pleased and surprised that, to begin with, the film followed the book very closely, even to the point of copying certain details. There was a lull in the story when I knew what was coming and wasn't that excited at knowing what would happen next. This being a book there were of course rewards in delving deeper into the thoughts and memories of the Chinaman. It was revealing to learn what exactly happened on the refugee boat when it was attacked by Thai pirates. The disclosure of what Nguyen did then gave a different spin to the story.
But then I was pleased to find the book began to diverge from the film. A couple of new characters appeared, a beloved character was murdered , There were more bombs set off both here and there and a new romance blossomed. As the number of pages diminished I began to wonder if Mr Leather would be able to fit in the cinematic ending.
He did, and did not. The ending of the film was brutal, the ending of the book was even more brutal.
I was also pleasantly surprised that there was a surprise ending – well, a couple, actually.
I read the book in Swedish so these quotations are sprained by retranslation:
"It did not surprise Nguyen that it had been so easy to kill the men, he had always been good at it, all that was required was a mental adjustment. He had fought it first, but now that he had killed, he knew he would pursue what he had begun. He would avenge his family, he knew this with diamond hard certainty. He would do what was required, with no feeling of remorse or guilt..." (p. 296)
"Nguyen no longer thought about his own future, what would happen if he succeeded. He didn't care anymore. He had given up all hope that justice would be done, all he wanted now was revenge. He simply wanted to kill the four bombers and he was not interested in what would happen next. His life was over." (p. 311)
There was considerably more emphasis on what Nguyen did in Vietnam in the book than in the film. His affiliation with the Viet Cong was passed over pretty briefly, if mentioned at all on screen. Here he is seen as a committed soldier who suddenly, and apparently without too many qualms, switches sides. Nguyen seems to be a man without any moral values other than seeing a need to take care of his family. And at this he fails.
I have always considered using time bombs for any purpose the despicable work of a coward. This story sustains that belief.
Morally the whole premise of the book is distasteful, deplorable, detestable, disheartening and displeasing. In spite of which there is something in me that delights in a good tale of revenge. I suspect it is a human characteristic, considering how many of them there are and how far back in history they appear. What is the Iliad but a series of events spurred on by revenge from the need to reclaim Helena, to Achilles sulking, and his war on Hector, all they way home to Clytemnestra waiting on the beach for the return of her husband, her fury at his sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia, well chilled.
But then I was pleased to find the book began to diverge from the film. A couple of new characters appeared, a beloved character was murdered , There were more bombs set off both here and there and a new romance blossomed. As the number of pages diminished I began to wonder if Mr Leather would be able to fit in the cinematic ending.
He did, and did not. The ending of the film was brutal, the ending of the book was even more brutal.
I was also pleasantly surprised that there was a surprise ending – well, a couple, actually.
I read the book in Swedish so these quotations are sprained by retranslation:
"It did not surprise Nguyen that it had been so easy to kill the men, he had always been good at it, all that was required was a mental adjustment. He had fought it first, but now that he had killed, he knew he would pursue what he had begun. He would avenge his family, he knew this with diamond hard certainty. He would do what was required, with no feeling of remorse or guilt..." (p. 296)
"Nguyen no longer thought about his own future, what would happen if he succeeded. He didn't care anymore. He had given up all hope that justice would be done, all he wanted now was revenge. He simply wanted to kill the four bombers and he was not interested in what would happen next. His life was over." (p. 311)
There was considerably more emphasis on what Nguyen did in Vietnam in the book than in the film. His affiliation with the Viet Cong was passed over pretty briefly, if mentioned at all on screen. Here he is seen as a committed soldier who suddenly, and apparently without too many qualms, switches sides. Nguyen seems to be a man without any moral values other than seeing a need to take care of his family. And at this he fails.
I have always considered using time bombs for any purpose the despicable work of a coward. This story sustains that belief.
Morally the whole premise of the book is distasteful, deplorable, detestable, disheartening and displeasing. In spite of which there is something in me that delights in a good tale of revenge. I suspect it is a human characteristic, considering how many of them there are and how far back in history they appear. What is the Iliad but a series of events spurred on by revenge from the need to reclaim Helena, to Achilles sulking, and his war on Hector, all they way home to Clytemnestra waiting on the beach for the return of her husband, her fury at his sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia, well chilled.
November 22, 2017
Never giving up the justice until the job is done!
The reigns of the breakaway IRA group’s bombing terror campaigns rocked the United Kingdom a quarter of the century ago. The true IRA and Sinn Féin might not approve of the physical attacks against the public.
Nguyen, the former Viet Cong soldier who later switched to the American side during the Vietnamese War. He had an ordinary family life and ran his Chinese takeaway premise. He already lost his two daughters in the sea. One day the police officers visited Nguyen and told him that his wife and youngest daughter were killed by the IRA bomb while shopping at Knightsbridge, London. Nguyen’s world went south and with his previous jungle experience, he set off for his proper justice.
Liam Hennessy, who played rugby for Ireland and was then the advisor for Sinn Féin, told his Provisional IRA to stop the bombing campaign. Nguyen visited Hennessy and asked for information about the identity of the Bombmaker and the accomplices. Hennessy refused to assist the Chinaman and then the consequences followed him until Nguyen got the information.
There were many actions involving bombings, counterattacks, espionages and counter-terrorism units throughout the novel.
I gave this book 4 stars instead of the full mark because I was getting déjà vu from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Today we fear the new terrorists from the Middle East. However, I enjoyed this book, because of this thrilling action and adventures being written by Stephen Leather.
Caesar13
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
The reigns of the breakaway IRA group’s bombing terror campaigns rocked the United Kingdom a quarter of the century ago. The true IRA and Sinn Féin might not approve of the physical attacks against the public.
Nguyen, the former Viet Cong soldier who later switched to the American side during the Vietnamese War. He had an ordinary family life and ran his Chinese takeaway premise. He already lost his two daughters in the sea. One day the police officers visited Nguyen and told him that his wife and youngest daughter were killed by the IRA bomb while shopping at Knightsbridge, London. Nguyen’s world went south and with his previous jungle experience, he set off for his proper justice.
Liam Hennessy, who played rugby for Ireland and was then the advisor for Sinn Féin, told his Provisional IRA to stop the bombing campaign. Nguyen visited Hennessy and asked for information about the identity of the Bombmaker and the accomplices. Hennessy refused to assist the Chinaman and then the consequences followed him until Nguyen got the information.
There were many actions involving bombings, counterattacks, espionages and counter-terrorism units throughout the novel.
I gave this book 4 stars instead of the full mark because I was getting déjà vu from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Today we fear the new terrorists from the Middle East. However, I enjoyed this book, because of this thrilling action and adventures being written by Stephen Leather.
Caesar13
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
December 9, 2024
Stephen Leather ei kuulu minu lemmikute hulka, aga „The Chinaman“ oli nädalavahetuse lugemisena täiesti nauditav. Seekord oli raamat 25 aastat hiljem valminud filmist tõepoolest üle, vähemalt peajagu. See, kui paljud tundlikud teemad filmist välja jäid, oli samuti mõtlemapanev. Nende asemel näidati Jackie Chani trikke ja tänapäeva tehnikaimesid, mis 1992. aastal veel puudusid.
Selgub, et naistekütist ajakirjanikul Ian „Woody“ Woodil on kogu loos väga oluline roll ja tegelikult oli just tema see, kes Nguyen Ngoc Minhi isiku välja selgitas. Peategelane ise on autoril hästi õnnestunud ja tema motiivid mõjuvad veenvalt. Erinevalt filmist puuduvad tal Hiina juured, nii et see detail on ilmselt Jackie Chani pärast juurde lisatud. Samas on välja jäetud Nguyeni kommunistliku ümberkasvatuse kirjeldus, mida raamatus põhjalikult kirjeldatakse. Sama saatus tabas episoodi, kus IRA pomm plahvatab Royal Ascoti ajal. Naissoost pommitegija kontseptsioon oli filmitegijate jaoks täiesti välistatud. Ja mis oli viga Iirimaa parimal jäljeajajal Kerry Gerarghtyl, kes Nguyeni metsast üles leidis? Pyrexi tootepaigutuse väljajätmisest saan ma veel aru...
Raamatu lõpp on märksa süngem kui filmil, aga tagantjärele tundus ka see variant vastuvõetavana. Seksistseenid olid autorile ilmselt olulised, aga tegelikult sobisid konteksti nagu sea selga sadul. Filmis oli ka häid leide – näiteks Nguyeni metsaelu ja tema ülesseatud lõksudega oli päris palju vaeva nähtud.
Selgub, et naistekütist ajakirjanikul Ian „Woody“ Woodil on kogu loos väga oluline roll ja tegelikult oli just tema see, kes Nguyen Ngoc Minhi isiku välja selgitas. Peategelane ise on autoril hästi õnnestunud ja tema motiivid mõjuvad veenvalt. Erinevalt filmist puuduvad tal Hiina juured, nii et see detail on ilmselt Jackie Chani pärast juurde lisatud. Samas on välja jäetud Nguyeni kommunistliku ümberkasvatuse kirjeldus, mida raamatus põhjalikult kirjeldatakse. Sama saatus tabas episoodi, kus IRA pomm plahvatab Royal Ascoti ajal. Naissoost pommitegija kontseptsioon oli filmitegijate jaoks täiesti välistatud. Ja mis oli viga Iirimaa parimal jäljeajajal Kerry Gerarghtyl, kes Nguyeni metsast üles leidis? Pyrexi tootepaigutuse väljajätmisest saan ma veel aru...
Raamatu lõpp on märksa süngem kui filmil, aga tagantjärele tundus ka see variant vastuvõetavana. Seksistseenid olid autorile ilmselt olulised, aga tegelikult sobisid konteksti nagu sea selga sadul. Filmis oli ka häid leide – näiteks Nguyeni metsaelu ja tema ülesseatud lõksudega oli päris palju vaeva nähtud.
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