Ratings2
Average rating3.5
New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice • A veteran journalist in Hong Kong investigates the disappearance of a student protester in this “sensual, provocative, and riveting” (The Washington Post) novel from the celebrated author of The Forgiven—now a major motion picture starring Jessica Chastain and Ralph Fiennes. “Osborne is a startlingly good observer of privilege, noting the rites and rituals of the upper classes with unerring precision and an undercurrent of malice.”—Katie Kitamura, The New York Times Book Review, on Beautiful Animals ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, CrimeReads After two decades as a journalist in Hong Kong, ex-pat Englishman Adrian Gyle is ready to turn his back on the city he knew so well. But as Hong Kong erupts in violence with pro-democracy demonstrations hitting ever closer to home, could this be the final assignment Gyle was looking for? Watching from the skyrises is his old friend Jimmy Tang, the scion of one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest families. Through him Gyle uncovers an intriguing lead: the mysterious Rebecca, a student involved in the protests, and the latest of his Jimmy’s reckless dalliances. But when Rebecca goes missing and Jimmy hides, it rekindles in Gyle an old urge to investigate. Piecing together Rebecca’s final days and hours, Gyle must tread carefully through a volatile world of friendship and betrayal. Vividly capturing a city on the brink, On Java Road tells the gripping story of a man between the fault lines of old worlds and new orders in pursuit of the truth.
Reviews with the most likes.
Britiske anmeldere sammenligner med Graham Greene og Patricia Highsmith. Jeg kan forstå det, og samtidig er det en drøy sammenligning. Det er først og fremst eksotisk sted (Hong Kong), britisk expat og eksistensiell rotløshet som er fellesnevnerne. Forøvrig har dette et mer moderne tilsnitt, med tema i begynnelsen av studentopprøret mot Beijings økte tilstedeværelse i Hong Kong, og gjenkjennelig som en litterær reiseguide for folk som gjenkjenner byen i beskrivelsene.
Ikke en thriller, ikke en krim, men likevel spennende - og mest interessant for folk som har passert 40, vil jeg tro.
Anbefalt som en litt annerledes og klassisk postkolonial britisk tekst, jeg kommer til å flere av Osbornes bøker.