The English Concubine: Passion and Power in 1860s Singapore (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9789814423625)

In the fourth and final volume of the The Straits Quartet, Charlotte Macleod is the English concubine. Her love affair with Zhen, wealthy Chinese merchant, is an open scandal to both the English and the Chinese communities. Singapore in 1860 is a vice-ridden town filled 'with the dregs of humanity from two continents.' Opium makes up half of the British Empire's trade in the East and, from Singapore, the Chinese triads control the vast distribution of chandu, the refined opium, which is spread through the south seas. Turf wars are fought on the high seas and on the streets of Chinatown to control the mighty profits of this trade. The colonial government, impoverished and ineffectual, can do nothing about it. Only the Chinese godfather, the Lord of the Kongsi, has that power through his control of the coolie, prostitute and opium trade.

Author: Dawn Farnham
ISBN-10: 9814423629
ISBN-13: 9789814423625
Publisher: Monsoon Books
Language: English
Published: 04/07/2015
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 7.70h x 5.10w x 1.00d