A Cold Season In Shanghai

by S.P. Hozy

A time of turmoil, when destinies were forged... In this searing historical novel by Toronto author S.P. Hozy, set amid the turmoil of early twentieth century Shanghai, three women, one Russian, one Chinese, and one French, determine the tragic fate of a young piano prodigy. Which of them is really responsible? A Cold Season In Shanghai is set against the backdrop of revolution in China, when decadent Shanghai was like no other place on earth. The narrator is Tatiana, a Russian woman brought up in a wealthy family. Looking back on her actions thirty years later from her new life in Toronto, she recalls the complex relationships between the three women and the effect they had on each others lives. She suspects she may have been the catalyst for a series of devastating events which caused havoc in the lives of her friends. Tormented by the aftermath of her decision, she chooses to live a life of careless abandon, turning her back on her family and, ultimately, her friends.

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2009

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction. Fans of Lisa See MAY like this but they might also be disappointed as there are some flaws in the novel. I'll start with what I liked. I liked the story of Tatiana’s family and how each of her family members had very different experiences living in Shanghai (the family moves there from Russia). The writing was also quite good, but the switch in narrative voice from past to present was jarring. And I thought that the story could have been further fleshed out. The back of the novels says “A time of turmoil when destinies were forged...” and when I read that, I expected a story that was going to be big and grand and powerful. I feel that what I got was a tale of a beautiful, selfish young woman, that spent over 10 years partying at the expense of her family but I never really understood or believed the allure of the party for her. Something was missing from this tale but I can’t quite explain what that missing part was. Hozy’s story was good but she did not deliver. However, I also could not put this novel down and that says something. I might have been disappointed but I was also captivated.

[Tkjtwmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book--well written, lots of "morality" implied but not heavy. Interesting juxa-postion between three cultures. Hoping to read something more by this author.

[Julie Rose]

For February HNR