The Rice Queen Spy
by John, F. Rooney
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Book Summary Information
Author: John, F. RooneyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-10
ISBN: 0975275666
Number of pages: 280
Publisher: Senneff House Publishers
Book Reviews of The Rice Queen Spy
Book Review: Rewarding story of an older Asian-loving man
Summary: 4 Stars
Philip Croft is a successful British spy with an illustrious war career behind him; however we first meet him in the early 1970s when he is being interrogated by MI6. His tormentor is Sergeant Whaley, a vicious homophobe, and Philip suffers unbearably at his hands. The interrogation results in Philip being outed as a homosexual and in his early retirement from service.
While feeling betrayed after having loyal devoted his life to serving his country, he is at the same time released from a closeted life of repression and now, in his fifties, able openly to live as a gay man and indulge his predilection for young Asian men; hence his epithet and the books title: The Rice Queen.
The story follows Philip's life from the 1970s into the new millennium, with occasional references to his past conquests, be they as a WWII spy or his secret assignations with Tom, his first love. But the story predominantly follows Philip's life chronologically from the 1970s, a life which takes him on frequent trips to the East and places such as the Philippines; a life in which he enjoys the acquaintance of several handsome, lithe young Asians and also builds a small circle older gay friends, British and American. However it is in London that he spends most of his time, and it there that he meets the delightful young and faithful Cambodian, Robin.
I enjoyed reading The Rice Queen; it is refreshing to have a tale which follows older men, some of whom continue to enjoy a succession of trysts with younger men, others who are able to enjoy long and stable relationships. Philip despite having been a spy is a little reserved and naive when it comes to civilian life, and as a Cambridge graduate he is occasionally pompous; not perfect but a likeable person. The story moves from Philip's suffering at the beginning, follows his adventures in the East, the opening of a sauna in Soho which openly encourages young Asian men; it involves rebellion, assassinations, entrapment and betrayal, and includes some evocative descriptions of the Philippines. There is an undercurrent of tension throughout as Philip's tormentor, Sergeant Whaley who was subsequently reprimanded for his vicious treatment of Philip, stalks him seeking his own personal revenge, blaming Philip for all his woes. The other characters in the story are well drawn, often larger than life, some almost comic, or in the case of the young Filipinos, attractive and quite sensuous. As the story finally moves towards its revealing conclusion one cannot but be moved.
A word too about the striking cover which features a painting, Man of Flowers, by Steve Walker, who's very appealing work we maybe familiar with from the covers of Michael Thomas Ford novels.
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