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The House of Wives
The House of Wives | Simon Choa-Johnston
5 posts | 4 read | 5 to read
Two women compete for the affections of their opium merchant husband in a tale of friendship, fortune and rivalry in colonial Hong Kong In 1862, a young Jew from Calcutta named Emanuel Belilios leaves his dutiful wife Semah and sets sail for Hong Kong to make his fortune in the opium trade. There, he grows into a prosperous and respectable merchant, eventually falling in love with his Chinese business partner's daughter Pearl, a delicate beauty twenty years his junior. As a wedding present, he builds for her the most magnificent mansion in Hong Kong. Then Semah arrives unannounced from Calcutta to take her place as mistress of the house...and life will change irrevocably for all of them. Inspired by the lives of Choa-Johnston's ancestors, The House of Wives is an unforgettable novel about the machinations of the early opium trade, and about two remarkable women determined to secure a dynasty for their children in the tumultuous British Crown colony.
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thereadingowlvina
The House of Wives | Simon Choa-Johnston
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Set in the 19th century, this is a heartrending & fascinating tale about Emanuel Belilios, a Jewish opium merchant from India & the two remarkable women who compete with each other for his love & affection. This story is inspired by the author's own family history & is such an intriguing and engaging read.
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For my full review, please visit:
https://www.goodreads.com/thereadingowlvina
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#historicalfiction #opium #hongkong #calcutta

Cinfhen Beautiful photo, book sounds intriguing #stacked 6y
thereadingowlvina @Cinfhen Thank you! 😊 6y
4 likes1 stack add2 comments
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niki.inwonderland
The House of Wives | Simon Choa-Johnston
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My #currentread. I picked this one up on a whim. Hopefully it's good!

LeahBergen It sounds good! 7y
niki.inwonderland @LeahBergen I find historical fiction hard to resist 😆 7y
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