Didn't finish. The author obviously researched his subject and had great affection for him, but he would have been better off writing a biography. His writing style was unsuited for fiction. ( )

My Splendid Concubine is a biographical novel about the life of Robert Hart, a British official in China. Born in Ireland, while he attended university, he gained a reputation for his rampant sexual escapades, despite his strict religious upbringing. His father intervened, put a stop to his womanizing, and arranged a post for him as a student interpreter in China. There he met, rescued, and fell in love with Ayaou, a young teen who, with her two sisters, were being sold into slavery/prostitution by their father. Struggling with the social norms and morals of the time, unable to marry her, he finally took her as his concubine. She bore him three children over the years. He was able to rescue one of Ayaou’s younger sisters, and the three set up a household.
Robert’s business acumen and strong communication skills brought him great success and he was soon promoted into more affluent positions. Soon, he gained a reputation of trust and respect from the highest levels of Chinese politicians, royalty, and officials. Despite his success, he struggled with his religious values and in the taking of concubines, a widely accepted practice among Caucasian men even though it was unacceptable in polite society.
Lloyd Lofthouse has written a “no-holds-barred” accounting of his tumultuous life. The author does not shy away from Hart’s strong sexual drive and encounters. He delves deeply into the relationships with Ayaou and her sister, bringing to life the heart-wrenching dilemma Hart faced. The author described the contrast between Hart’s sexual values and those of the women with great insight, for in China, being a concubine was far better than slavery or prostitution. Lofthouse’s first-hand experience in the Vietnam war, and the time he spent in the Orient, are evident throughout the novel in the vivid descriptions and detailed scenes.
Readers should understand before purchasing this novel that there are some graphic sex scenes, but I found it necessary in order to understand Hart, his personality, and what drove him. A provocative novel that brings to life lesser known practices and norms of China and its people. Highly recommended. ( )

Don't like the author's propensity for info dump. Seems too enamored of his research.

Based on the life of Robert Hart, British envoy to China who brought school system and other western ideas of bureaucracy and government to China at the end of the 19th C.

A poor novelization of his early years in Ningpo. Unfortunately, this is awkwardly written, amateurish, and stiltedly pedantic when the author imparts details of Chinese culture an custom or to insinuate Christianity into Hart’s personal struggles.

The most interesting parts are about Hart acquiring fluency in Chinese with the help of his tutor who lends him Chinese classics, his visits to Chinese homes, and the sage wisdom of his man-servant, the eunuch Guan-jiah. The concubines are simply sex interest and sources of domestic disharmony. The British politics circulate around thuggery and not real politics.

Would not recommend. Robert Hart deserves a better fictionalized construction based on his real life accomplishments. ( )

My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse is about Robert Hart. The bare facts are that in 1854, Hart left Ireland under a cloud for China to fill the role of interpreter for the British consulate. He immersed himself into the Chinese culture and learned the language and Chinese thinking so well that he was the first foreigner to become the Inspector General of China’s Customs Service. He lived in China for 54 years. Prior to the Cultural Revolution he became known as the “Godfather of China’s modernism.”

But those are merely the facts. Thankfully, Hart kept journals, many of which survive to this day. While researching Hart’s life, Lofthouse discovered that Hart kept a concubine with whom he had three children. To protect her and his children, he burned most of the journal entries concerning the love of his life. Fortunately for us, Lofthouse was able to piece together a lusty and poignant portrait of a conflicted and principled man who would not abandon his Chinese family no matter what the cost.

Rather than focus on what was already known about Hart, from his journals and official records, Lofthouse focused on Hart’s long-term affair with Ayaou, a boat-girl. Even most Chinese looked down upon the boat-people. He meets Ayaou and her sister, Shao-mei while escaping the oppressive summer heat of Ningpo to join his fellow country man, Patridge at his summerhouse on the western end of Zhoushan Island. Patridge had arranged to bring in eligible girls for concubines for his friends staying with him. Hart is immediately attracted to Ayaou and decides to buy her, but before he can do so, another of Patridge’s guests beats him to her. As you already know from my previous paragraph, Hart does eventually secure Ayaou, but you, dear reader, will have to read this book to find out how he does it and what happens to Ayaou and Shao-mei.

Lofthouse does a masterful job of not only presenting Hart and those he encountered as fully fleshed people, but also gives us a taste of how the Chinese think and what that culture is all about—an understanding that one can’t get from the news. And even though this story takes place in the nineteenth-century, I think much of the insight into the Chinese culture is relevant today.

The one fault that I have with this book is the denouement was far too abrupt. I kept flipping the last page, hoping that I really wasn’t at the end. The resolution was incomplete for me. Thankfully, the sequel, My Hart, promises to continue where this book left off. I will be reading it soon.

My Splendid Concubine received Honorable Mention in Fiction at the 2008 London Book Festival. ( )