[Gutenberg 2028] • The Yellow Claw

Dr. Fu Manchu is a fictional character introduced in a series of novels by British author Sax Rohmer (1883-1959) during the first half of the 20th century. The character was also featured extensively in cinema, television, radio, comic strips and comic books for over 90 years, and has become an archetype of the evil criminal genius while lending the name to the Fu Manchu moustache. The first Fu Manchu novel, "The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu", was written in 1911 (and was also serialised from October 1912-June 1913). It was an immediate success, with its fast-paced story of Denis Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie facing the worldwide conspiracy of the 'Yellow Peril'. The first three Fu Manchu books were published in the four years between 1913-17; but it was not until 1931 (some fourteen years after the third book in the series) that Rohmer returned to the series with The Daughter of Fu Manchu. In the 28 years from 1931 to 1959, Rohmer added no fewer than 10 new books to the Fu Manchu series, meaning the series totals thirteen books in all (not counting the posthumous collection The Wrath of Fu Manchu). The Fu Manchu series drew much criticism from the Chinese government and Chinese communities in the US for what was seen as negative ethnic stereotyping. However, social critics felt it was simply a symptom of his times. This omnibus includes 1) The Hand of Fu Manchu aka: The Si-Fan Mysteries (1917), 2) The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu aka: The Devil Doctor (1916), 3) The Yellow Claw, a Gaston Max mystery (1915), and 4) Dope: A Story of Chinatown and the Drug Traffic, a Red Kerry mystery (1919).