I rate it as high as I do because the writing and descriptions were up to Theroux's standards. The plot, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

The characters are somewhat stereotyped but not as badly as some other reviewers thought. They are more likely composites, created to emphasize their failings.

I have met ex-pats who refuse to eat Chinese food, who describe the Chinese negatively and who keep to their own community of other ex-pats. They aren't all British, either. I am sometimes embarrassed at the antics of some of my fellow Americans.

The story follows the struggles of Bunt Mullard, a Hong Kong born but stereotypically British factory owner and manager, as he deals with events leading up to the 1997 hand-over of Hong Kong to Chinese or as he describes it "the Take-away". He lives with his overbearing mother, Betty, and has little social life outside of the Cricket Club and the "Girlie Bars". The story basically recounts events precipitated by the death of his Chinese business partner and the subsequent problems he must deal with.

The major issue is whether to sell out to Mr. Hung, representing the PLA (Chinese army), who wants the factory building as part of a development plan. Bunt does not handle the negotiations very well and in fact does not deal with any of the situations he finds himself in, very well. He's pretty much a wuss and is dominated by his lower middle class mother.

The suspense aspects of the book have to do with hidden motives and missing people. I certainly would not characterize the story as a thriller. The story's conclusion is very unsatisfying, but I, perhaps, like Theroux, was happy to have the story end.

For me, one of the highlights of the book, perhaps because I live here, was the description of various venues and situations in Hong Kong. Without that, I'm not sure I would have been as complimentary of the book as I have been.