Review: Turning Shanghai Into Casablanca Effortlessly.....
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 21, 2014
Not since Casablanca has there been so many people fated to come together in one place as in Gerry O'Sullivan's aptly described international novel.  Between WWI and WWII Shanghai truly rivaled the American West of the 1800's as the wildest wooliest place on Earth.  Mix in some Irish  immigrants who are fated to live out a destiny that astounds in it's complexity and you have the ingredients for a true mystery-thriller that will hold you enthralled to the final outcome.  Our Irish anti-hero is a cop on the beat who left Ireland to find himself after some truly despairing twists of fate I don't won't to give away here and spoil your fun.  The melting pot of Shanghai during the waning British Empire and the rise of both Japan and (more slowly) communist China provide us with enough local and international characters to keep Mr. O'Sullivan's brew bubbling ever toward a boil.  I really enjoyed this one and could not put it down...and that's from a guy who can put them all down!  O'Sullivan's research provides for wonderful insights to the International Community existing precariously alongside the rest of tumultuous China at the time.  He paints a world you can feel and smell and taste.  And in true Irish tradition he is a wonderful story teller.  Too bad Bogie, Bacall (there's room for her this time round maybe even Bette Davis), Bergman, Rains, Lorre, And Greenstreet can't be around for this one - cuz they'd have another classic movie on their hands.  I recommend it to any and all.