The Poppy War: Through Its History Into a Fantasy
Last September I intended to write about this after I finished the book. But who would have thought I just made it happen now?
The Poppy War is a novel written by R.F. Kuang that was published in 2018. It is a historical fantasy novel that is set in the backdrop of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The novel provides a gripping narrative that weaves together elements of military strategy, magic, politics, and mythology.
The novel is set in a world where there are twelve provinces, and the Nikara Empire is the most powerful. The story follows Rin, a dark-skinned, poverty-stricken girl who is living with a family who plans to force her into marriage. She is desperate to escape that fate and decides to take a test that would allow her to enter the prestigious Sinegard Academy, which is reserved for the elite. Rin passes the test, despite facing discrimination because of her background, and begins her journey at Sinegard.
At Sinegard, Rin learns about modern warfare and military strategy, as well as ancient mystical arts that are rare and powerful. The story takes a dark turn when the Third Poppy War between the Nikara Empire and the nearby country of Mugen breaks out. Mugen has a powerful deity, the Phoenix, at their side. It is rumored to have nearly unbeatable power, and the Nikara Empire knows they are in trouble. Therefore they invoke the use of long-forgotten magic, the gods’ power, which is forbidden and carries a deadly cost.
As the war unfolds, Rin discovers a dark side to herself and becomes determined to win it by any means. She is haunted by her own demons and faces trials that make her question her own sanity. She is not alone, and other characters in the story face their own challenges and hurdles to overcome.
The First Poppy War — An Introduction
The Chinese Opium War, also known as the First Opium War, was a significant conflict that took place between China and the British Empire from 1839 to 1842. This war had a profound impact on the history of China and its relationship with the Western powers.
The root of the conflict was opium, a highly addictive drug that was being produced in the United Kingdom and smuggled into China. The Chinese government, concerned about the harmful effects of opium on its people, attempted to ban its trade. The British government, however, saw the trade of opium as a lucrative source of revenue and refused to comply with China’s ban.
The conflict escalated when the Chinese government began seizing and destroying British opium shipments. In response, Britain sent its navy to blockade Chinese ports, ultimately leading to a military conflict between the two nations.
Although China had a larger army, the British were able to defeat them due to their superior weaponry and tactics. The Treaty of Nanking was then signed, which stated that China would pay Britain indemnity, open up five of its ports to foreign trade, and cede Hong Kong to British control. This treaty effectively ended the Chinese Dynasty’s last dynasty and established a period of unequal treaties between China and the Western powers.
The effects of the war and the resulting treaty were significant. The Chinese people were deeply humiliated by their defeat, and this event marked the beginning of the ‘Century of Humiliation,’ during which China was repeatedly bullied and subjugated by foreign powers. The massive influx of opium into China also had devastating social and economic effects, contributing to the deterioration of society and the rise of drug addiction.
The Second-Sino-Japanese War— A Context
The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) was a brutal and devastating conflict that led to millions of casualties and fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of East Asia. The war was fought between the Chinese Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese Empire under Emperor Hirohito. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to Japan’s imperialistic ambitions and their desire to expand their power and influence throughout Asia.
Japan’s aggression in China began in earnest with the Mukden Incident of 1931, in which Japanese soldiers staged a fake attack on a railway in Manchuria as a pretext for invading and annexing the region. This was followed by the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932, and an increasingly belligerent Japanese posture towards China.
The full-scale invasion of China began on July 7th, 1937, when a Chinese and Japanese skirmish at the Marco Polo Bridge outside Beijing quickly escalated into a full-blown military conflict. The Japanese military, whose forces were better equipped and trained, quickly made significant advances in China. However, the Chinese Nationalists, despite suffering from internal corruption and inter-party strife, put up a stubborn resistance and were able to hold off the Japanese in some areas.
One of the most infamous incidents came in 1937 when Japanese troops invaded the Chinese city of Nanking and carried out a six-week-long massacre that claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000 Chinese. This event, known as the Nanking Massacre, remains one of the most horrific examples of wartime brutality in history.
The United States entered the conflict after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which marked the beginning of World War II in the Pacific. After years of fighting, the Chinese, aided by American and other allied forces, were ultimately able to defeat the Japanese military and end their occupation of China.
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a devastating conflict that had profound effects on the political, social, and economic landscape of Asia. It led to the loss of millions of lives, the displacement of countless others, and the subjugation of China by Japan. It also had far-reaching consequences for the international community, with the war being a crucial factor in the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers.
The Nations Parallel
In R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed novel, “The Poppy War,” the fictional world of Nikara (China) is embroiled in a brutal conflict between two powers: the Federation of Mugen (Japan) and the Kingdom of Speer (Taiwan). Each nation has its own unique culture, history, and ideology, which shapes the actions of its leaders and citizens alike.
Nikara is the primary setting of the book and it is the nation that the protagonist, Rin, hails from. Nikara is a traditional society with a strict hierarchy and a focus on education and discipline. It is also deeply rooted in its own history and culture, which is reflected in everything from its architecture to its language.
Mugen, on the other hand, is a nation of warriors. Its people are known for their physical prowess and fighting skills, and they are feared and respected throughout Nikara. Despite their reputation, the Mugenese are not portrayed as one-dimensional characters; rather, they have their own unique culture and traditions that are explored in depth throughout the book.
Speer is the third nation in Nikara, and it is the smallest of the three. Unlike the other two nations, Speer is portrayed as a capitalist society with a focus on trade and commerce. It is also home to many powerful and corrupt individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their position of power.
Throughout the book, the relationships between these three nations are constantly shifting and evolving. At times, they are in conflict with each other; at other times, they work together for a common goal. In many ways, the dynamics between these nations reflect the complex geopolitical relationships that exist in the real world.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang is a must-read for fans epic of fantasy. With its deep world of building, complex characters, and powerful themes. Kuang’s characters are well-crafted and realistic, and their journeys throughout the story will keep you engaged until the very end. The story is beautifully written, and Kuang’s love for history, culture, and mythology is evident on every page. She manages to create a world that is both fantastical and realistic and one that the reader can easily get lost in. Kuang masterfully weaves historical events into her fictional narrative.
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© 2023 by Afiani Rui
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I sincerely hope it touched you or brought you joy in some way. Don’t hesitate to ask or offer any comments and claps. Enjoy your reading!
