The author wishes to encourage everyone who has read The Chinese Attack to either comment or leave a book review either on this site or maybe one of the book social media sites (Shelfari etc) or the sellers sites.
This comment from Emma Dawson, UK, via email:
‘I didn’t expect it to be my sort of book but it’s unpredictable and gritty. It makes you want to know more. I picked it up early evening and was still reading at midnight.’
Review from Rob Innis, Spain.
Historical fiction is becoming an increasingly popular genre – learn and be entertained simultaneously. The Chinese Attack, John Bishop’s debut novel, is set during WW1 with its plot cunningly weaved around the involvement of the Chinese Labour Corps. Thereby cleverly giving the story a refreshing and intriguing new dimension, whilst remaining historically factual.
Our hero is quickly in the thick of some grim front line action causing him to rebel against the system. But his pre war involvements in China cause him complex problems as his superior officers penalise his rebellion by making him become a spy. The author introduces conflict, love interest and plenty of twists to keep the reader interested.
The books pace is good, obviously well researched and both the dialogue and characters convincing. I enjoyed it and look forward to more from John Bishop.
Comments from: V. McDonald (UK)
‘Received at lunchtime yesterday (Saturday) so read… until finished very late evening…. well-written, lots of historical detail, gripping until the conclusion and even a love interest… Thought the description of the trenches was fresh with very clear images of the horrors.’
John Edwards, Spain
It is not what it seems at a first glance at the title. John Bishop has turned his knowledge of a major historical event into a full length novel. The early chapters give some insight into the layers that run through all the pages but there is some distraction to the reader in him doing this.
It is set towards the end of The First World War and his account I found gripping, very interesting but depressing for the graphic detail of the conditions and the waste of human life emphasised it to a great degree. The past lives of some of the characters are intriguing, add tension and are regularly referred to which was fascinating although a little over done at times. I did think that some parts had been edited out causing me to wonder if I had missed something. There are amazing details included as this story involves through various scenes and sub-plots. It moves rapidly through 400 pages but I did wonder if my interest would hold, and it did. The Chinese involvement was purely to act as labourers but there is more to it than that. I liked the dialogue as it moved the story on and the pieces of songs added something extra.
It is about regrets, guilt, self- blame, revenge and how life could be that cheap. You will find the arrogance shown by many to be disturbing and wicked. Of course, there is a romance which is indicated in early chapters but I will not spoil the end result for you. I was totally absorbed at times with this well written novel. Read it and see for yourself.
From Mike French (also posted on Amazon)
John Bishop’s novel ‘The Chinese Attack’is a novel of the Flanders trenches that explores the neglected role of the Chinese labour Corps and their contribution to the allied war effort. The plot development is fast moving and offers plenty of insights from a non european perspective whilst the final attempt at flight to the french coast with the incidents and obstacles confronted is epic in its intensity. A gripping read. I couldn’t put it down.
