China Blues

After falling deeply in love with The Secret Magdalene I went looking for other books by Longfellow. I discovered she'd earlier written under the name of Pamela Longfellow. Not knowing what to expect I found her first published book (and am still waiting for her second, Chasing Women). This book is absolutely nothing like her Magdalene...it's a madcap dash through San Francisco in the early 1920's. It the kind of thing that makes a bestseller and I can't imagine why it didn't. But then the world of books always puzzles me. Bad books sell. Good books disappear. This was so interesting to read. It's skillful and fun and exciting and a page turner. But to know Longfellow would one day write the brilliant and profound The Secret Magdalene show more makes it all the more readable. I loved it for quite different reasons. I loved it because it took me tumbling into a world of long ago San Francisco, earthquakes and shady politics and the hidden world of Chinatown. show less

The story is pretty good. A bit too much melodrama. Being from the bay area, the references to landmarks and people in San Francisco made the story more interesting and fun to read.

Longfellow's first novel. San Francisco in the Twenties, a swirl of color, action, and character. The beginning of a great writer.

Having now read her latest book (under the name of Ki Longfellow), I agree. She's come a long way.