Review of The Abalone Ukulele
1 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Abalone Ukulele" by R. L. Crossland.]
The Abalone Ukulele by R. L. Crossland is a story packed full of action, adventure, a heist and even some romance. The story starts in the late 1800s, with the formidable Skookum Yi as he works in the Korean military, transporting precious cargoes. However, when Yi’s career changes dramatically, he travels further afield and spend some time gold mining in Alaska. Along the way, Yi meets characters who help him, as well as those who seek to destroy him – and those characters hold a grudge.
Yi’s story intertwines with the other two main characters, Draper, and Hobson, who are sailors in the US Navy. The three of them end up in an intricate plot involving the US, Japan, China, and Korea, at a time when each of these countries have competing political and nationalist aims. Much of the drama unfolds in Shanghai, which is a melting pot of sailors, governments, gangs, and other undercover activities.
To begin with, I found this book quite confusing as there was a lot of technical and historical language, I was not familiar with, and it was set in a period I do not know very much about. However, once I got into the book and started to understand the characters and the setting, I was fully invested in the story and enjoyed its many twists and turns. The book gives an insight into the tumultuous relations between the US, Japan, China, and Korea in the 20th century. The main characters are experienced sailors and soldiers and there is expert description of life in the navy and the various weaponry in use.
As mentioned, at times the story was slightly difficult to follow, with the storyline often changing between each character with no break in the text to signal a change. But the more I read, the easier it was to follow. There are very few women in this novel, which is a shame, although the women who are present are just as brave and courageous as the male sailors.
I would rate this book four out of four stars because of the dramatic plot which cleverly intertwined the lives and expertise of the main characters to defeat enemies from many different origins. The coincidences and loose ends are all tied up by the end of the book which leaves for a satisfying read.
I do not normally enjoy military novels and do not know very much about the terminology and jargon in this area, but this novel made it accessible and interesting.
I would recommend this book to more advanced readers as there are numerous competing political and military issues throughout. There is no need to have any knowledge of the inner workings of naval life; or historical knowledge of the political relations between Japan, China, and Korea, as these are explained throughout the novel. There is also a glossary of key terms at the back of the book as well as further historical detail. There are a few violent scenes, and some scenes of a sexual nature, but they are not explicit or graphic.
******
The Abalone Ukulele
View: on Bookshelves |
The Abalone Ukulele by R. L. Crossland is a story packed full of action, adventure, a heist and even some romance. The story starts in the late 1800s, with the formidable Skookum Yi as he works in the Korean military, transporting precious cargoes. However, when Yi’s career changes dramatically, he travels further afield and spend some time gold mining in Alaska. Along the way, Yi meets characters who help him, as well as those who seek to destroy him – and those characters hold a grudge.
Yi’s story intertwines with the other two main characters, Draper, and Hobson, who are sailors in the US Navy. The three of them end up in an intricate plot involving the US, Japan, China, and Korea, at a time when each of these countries have competing political and nationalist aims. Much of the drama unfolds in Shanghai, which is a melting pot of sailors, governments, gangs, and other undercover activities.
To begin with, I found this book quite confusing as there was a lot of technical and historical language, I was not familiar with, and it was set in a period I do not know very much about. However, once I got into the book and started to understand the characters and the setting, I was fully invested in the story and enjoyed its many twists and turns. The book gives an insight into the tumultuous relations between the US, Japan, China, and Korea in the 20th century. The main characters are experienced sailors and soldiers and there is expert description of life in the navy and the various weaponry in use.
As mentioned, at times the story was slightly difficult to follow, with the storyline often changing between each character with no break in the text to signal a change. But the more I read, the easier it was to follow. There are very few women in this novel, which is a shame, although the women who are present are just as brave and courageous as the male sailors.
I would rate this book four out of four stars because of the dramatic plot which cleverly intertwined the lives and expertise of the main characters to defeat enemies from many different origins. The coincidences and loose ends are all tied up by the end of the book which leaves for a satisfying read.
I do not normally enjoy military novels and do not know very much about the terminology and jargon in this area, but this novel made it accessible and interesting.
I would recommend this book to more advanced readers as there are numerous competing political and military issues throughout. There is no need to have any knowledge of the inner workings of naval life; or historical knowledge of the political relations between Japan, China, and Korea, as these are explained throughout the novel. There is also a glossary of key terms at the back of the book as well as further historical detail. There are a few violent scenes, and some scenes of a sexual nature, but they are not explicit or graphic.
******
The Abalone Ukulele
View: on Bookshelves |
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