Man’s Fate

An explosive story of conspiracy and conspirators, of men caught in the desperate clash of ideologies, betrayal, expediency and free will, with a new introduction by Philip Gourevitch

Shanghai, 1927, and revolution is in the air. As the city becomes caught up in violence and bloodshed, four people’s lives are altered inexorably- idealist and intellectual Kyo Gisors, one of the leaders of the Communist insurrection, who is also trying to deal with his own marital strife; Ch'en Ta Erh, an assassin and terrorist brutalized by killing; Baron de Clappique, a French gambler, opium dealer and gun runner; and Russian revolutionary Katov, who calmly watches events unfold, until he has to make the ultimate sacrifice. Each of these men must try to resolve their personal conflicts amid political turmoil, conspiracy and betrayal.

Man’s Fate, first published in 1933 and now reissued as a Penguin Modern Classic, is a gripping story of conflict, free will and our power to shape our destiny.