Read a synopsis of Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine here.
Review
Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine
by Lloyd Lofthouse
Robert Hart began as a humble British interpreter who, throughout his time in China in the 19th century, came to love and embrace this culture so different from his own Irish roots. Over the years he grew to really understand the Confucian and Taoist principles of honor and piety, and the Chinese took notice of his devotion to their values and culture. Hart’s love of and genuine respect for the Chinese customs and way of life set him apart from the other “foreign devils” whose only goals were to manipulate and hoodwink the Chinese in order to make a profit.
Hart rose in rank as an interpreter and soon found himself promoted to work for the Chinese as a local inspector of customs, eventually to become the Inspector General of China’s Imperial Maritime Custom Service. Hart recognized that in order to succeed in his role as a virtual go-between for the two nations, he must always handle any issue with the utmost poise and finesse. He often found himself surrounded by peers and superiors who did not demonstrate the same level of respect towards the Chinese as he did. Many of the British saw the Chinese as barbarian heathens who needed to be converted to Christianity, and it took a lot of restraint on his part to hold his tongue where his ignorant superiors were concerned.
Hart’s ability to smooth over tricky political situations and his growing reputation as a man who was true to his word eventually caught the attention of the Dynasty, and in particular, the brother of the emperor, Prince Kung. The significance of the title “Our Hart” is not to be taken lightly–Hart was the only foreigner the Dynasty trusted, and over time he cultivated a friendship and business relationship with Kung, which enabled him the influence necessary to make even greater improvements in the Chinese political system. He began by rooting out corruption from wherever it existed, and although Kung and the rest of the ministers were at first skeptical of his foreign methods, any doubts were soon quashed, as Hart’s approaches quickly proved vital to the stability of the Dynasty. Hart became so endeared to the Chinese that they referred to him as “Our Hart.”
Throughout the many changes of location and tricky situations Robert encounters, his concubine Ayaou remains his rock and constant. At the heart of this fascinating book is their love story. Robert learns that Ayaou has merits that exceed beyond the bedroom; in fact he utilizes her knowledge of Chinese culture and social protocol to his advantage and takes note from her inherent Chinese wisdom. The book begins after the brutal murder of Ayaou’s sister (and Robert’s second concubine) Shao-mei by one of Robert’s rivals, and Robert reflects on happier times spent with Shao-mei and Ayaou throughout the course of the novel. Shao-mei’s murder is a turning point in his life that causes him to constantly question the safety of his surroundings. Realizing that he is not only responsible for himself, but also for the lives of his “Chinese family,” Robert learns to find happiness again but vows to avenge Shao-mei’s death and seek vengeance from her murderers.
Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine is the sequel to the multi award winning My Splendid Concubine: A Novel by Lloyd Lofthouse. Although I did not read My Splendid Concubine, I did feel that this truly was a standalone novel that did not require its predecessor to be read in order for one to enjoy the story. The book was a really quick read for me, and one by which I was completely captivated the whole way through. My favorite aspect of this novel was reading about all the political issues facing China during the 19th century. Between the Taiping Rebellions, the Opium Wars, the tension among China and Western Europe, and the political mistrust between the Manchu and Han Chinese, Robert Hart certainly had his work cut out for him. One can certainly see why he was so very deserving of the title “The Godfather of China’s Modernism”.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from a publicist for review.
Reading Challenges this book qualifies for:
Giveaway
Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine
by Lloyd Lofthouse
The Giveaway Goodies: One copy of Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse.
Entry Rules: This giveaway is open to US residents only. You can receive up to eight entries to this giveaway based on the following…
1 entry: Leave a comment with your e-mail address.
+ 5 extra entries: Become a follower of this blog on Google (click “follow” on the Google toolbar located on the right sidebar of my blog). If you are already a Google follower, you automatically qualify for these 5 extra entries, just be sure to let me know!
+ 2 extra entries: Post on your blog/your blog’s sidebar about this giveaway, linking back to this page. Please include a link to your post in your comment! 
Giveaway ends 3/14. All participants will be entered into random.org (with extra entries included where applicable) and the winner will be drawn on 3/15.
Good luck!!
I know I would love this book! Keeping my fingers crossed
rjleflar (at) gmail (dot) comI follow.
This is the 2nd favorable review for Our Hart that I've read this morning. Sounds good!I'm a followerBlogged in my sidebar giveaways:http://bookfan-mary.blogspot.commeah56 AT gmail DOT com
This sounds fascinating. I'm really curious about the West's relations with China, especially in this time period at the moment… but I'm one of those people who needs to read the first in a series, so My Splendid Concubine is headed to my reading list.Not, of course, that I would terribly mind winning this…
Please enter me in the giveaway and I'm already a follower, thanks! ~bella+ 6Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom
Please enter me,thank youI was already a follower+5sidebar at http://www.brokenteepee.info+2kaiminani at gmail dot com
My Splendid Concubine is on my TBR shelf; I'd love to have this sequel on hand when I start reading it. Thanks for the giveaway.I follow through Google Reader.lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like one that I would really enjoy…please enter me.joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'm also a follower.joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
No need to enter me. Just wanted to say great review and I liked it too. I learned quite a few things I didn't know about before.
I almost bought this at the bookstore the other day.I'm already a Google follower- yay!thorntonstephanie at hotmail dot com
Please enter me. I follow through google. Thank you!sliugarcia@gmail.com
Sounds like an interesting read. The best way to operate in a country is to understand and respect their culture and beliefs. All peoples are more likely to deal well with someone they know respects them.
Darn, forgot to leave address in prior post. It is too late and I'm falling asleep at the keyboard.I am a Follower.librarypat AT comcast DOT netibrarypat said…Sounds like an interesting read. The best way to operate in a country is to understand and respect their culture and beliefs. All peoples are more likely to deal well with someone they know respects them.
Thanks for the giveaway!!Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
justpeachy36@yahoo.comPlease enter me in the giveaway.I am a follower.
I'm glad you said that this was still a standalone novel even though it was a sequel. I haven't read the first one, but this one sounds so good, I know I won't mind reading it first.+5 I am a loyal follower+2 posted on right sidebar in my giveaway section: http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/Thanks for the giveaway!miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Please enter me. I am a follower.tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks for the review!LauraKeyes97 (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you for the great review. If anyone is waiting to see if it will be out as an e-book, hopefully it will be released by the end of April. It will be on SCRIBD too.
Wonderful review, thanks! Count me in!!!+5 Follower!delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you for the giveaway.s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I posted about your contest here.joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
Please count me in!I already followBlogged:http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-03-06-10.htmlnfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I would love to read this.misusedinnocence@aol.com
+5, I follow.misusedinnocence@aol.com
Crossing my fingers that I am meant to win this novel.knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower.Entry 1knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower.Entry 2knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower.Entry 3knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower.Entry 4knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower.Entry 5knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
The contest is in the right column of my blog and links back. http://www.rundpinne.comEntry 1knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
The contest is in the right column of my blog and links back. http://www.rundpinne.comEntry 2knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Please enter me. Thanksmaynekitty***at>>>live***dot>>>com
Please enter me. Thanksmaynekitty***at>>>live***dot>>>com
google friend connect follower—Kitty #276
google friend connect follower—Kitty #276
Please enter me in this giveaway!+5 I followsaemmerson at yahoo dot comSarah E
This looks like a good book & I've read only good things about it. Please count me in!Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com
+5 – I follow in GoogleFriendConnectmegalon22 at yahoo dot com
This looks like a very interesting book! Please enter me.nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
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I entered for all 8 entries.Wow, I've never heard of this book. Glad to find out about it! The topic interests me quite a bit, I like reading about interactions between the east and west during historic time periods.wakeupangel at gmail dot com+5 I'm a follower, name is Bani.+2 Posted on my blog about this giveaway here-http://banicontests.blogspot.com/2010/03/hist-fic-chick-giveaway-reviewour-hart.html
+5, I follow.misusedinnocence@aol.com
I would absolutely love to read this.misusedinnocence@aol.com