The Great Ganesha

This week’s Economist has an article in the ‘Books and Arts’ section about detective fiction across the globe. The article cites Raymond Chandler as creating the cool-as-ice detective character. You know, the world-weary, philosophical, alcoholic-but-alert man, with a mess of relationships in his wake. I think they put it best:

The hardboiled hero is cynical but sensitive, philosophical but wordly. He might bend the law, but he rarely breaks it. He has a mangled personal life and likes a drink, but not to excess.
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They also go on to say that this model of the detective in detective fiction has survived, more or less unchanged, since the fifties. That is true enough, to some extent. Several good, modern fictional detectives are some variation of Marlowe. At least for guys, there is always some sort of appeal to this kind of persona. Marlowe and his kind are almost like urban alpha-males. Existing on the fringes of society, doing what they want, when they want, without having to worry about what their office-mates will think. This is a fantasy for many men because it’s something that they all want but can’t have because of, well, responsibilities. And it’s probably for good reason that all men aren’t like him. I mean, it’s great to read about Phillip Marlowe and his ilk, but to actually be him is a whole different story. I’ve got cholesterol problems and a family history of diabetes, for christ’s sake. And think about the STDs that he could contract sleeping around with all those prostitutes.

Anyhow, getting back to the article, they suggest four books that have been released recently. Among them is A Case of Two Cities (St. Martin’s Minotaur) by Qiu Xiaolong. I read Death of a Red Heroine (Soho Crime), also by Xiaolong, and found it interesting. What I most liked about it is that it takes you into a China that you would never know about otherwise, like the little details about the food rations, the dorm-style accomodations and other pains that the common man has to endure on a day-to-day level. Also, it treats Beijing as a character unto itself. The city is bustling with energy and businesses are thriving because of China’s booming economy. Xiaolong makes every attempt to bring out the nature of the city. The plot was somewhat intricate and evolved slowly, which suited the pace of the novel. The Economist says this about the detective-protagonist, Chen Cao, who is also a published poet:

Chen is an engaging figure: he quotes poetry, loves food and the descriptions of feasts of dumplings and snacks are mouth-watering. … [And] even though Chen sees the faults and contradictions of China’s political system, he remains a patriot and is immensely proud of his country’s history and culture. [link]

Cao is not like Marlowe in a typically Western way, but he does share some characteristics, like a personal life fraught with issues. Also, he doesn’t drink too much, but he visits his mother (not as often as he’d like, though) and he’s a poet. So, he’s definitely sensitive. Since I’ve only read the one book, I’m sure there are plenty more facets to his personality that I’ve yet to learn about.

This newer book is going on my wish list and if you’re into detective fiction, I recommend you to do the same.

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