I love political thrillers with an international touch, as long as they are happening purely in the literary realm. We are experiencing way too many international crisis at the same time to wish to experience any more. Those with direct connection in the high realms of politics, can rarely stop thinking about their everyday experiences. Some may even write about it.
Christopher Howarth is an insider of Westminster´s with connections in the British politics and diplomacy. Although the action of his book The Durian Pact happens in the future - not too far, though - many may think about something that he is in fact inspired by real encounters. The curse of people with known access to information: everyone expect you to be aware of well-kept secrets, even those who are no longer secrets.
In that not so far future, China may invade Taiwan which prompts to an unite defense on behalf of the UK and its allies, putting into motion relics of Britain´s colonial defense. In the midst of it, a young MP, Richard Reynolds, privy to important information that is trying to intervene, hoping to stop an inevitable war.
For decades already, China is often portrayed in literary terms as a threatening world power. I remember having read SF French novels with China invading the rest of the world and enjoying it. The Durian Pact though is built around a realistic threat, that is often proclaimed by Chinese officials themselves. Personally, I liked that drop of reality in the sea of political incertitude.
I appreciated the pace of the book, allowing historical and political details to complement the literary action, which is equally entertaining.
For readers of political thriller, with a very clear international outreach, The Durian Pact is a recommended read. It also sends you to update your knowledge in terms of British´s colonial power games, which makes the book even more relevant.
Rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
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