For those that didn't know about Nanking, it was informative and interesting. It was not gratuitous in it's descriptions of the violence of the events. It was less than convincing in it's contemporary storyline, which did seem to go over the top, without adding to the power of the novel. However, the imagery was wonderful. Hayder's ability to describe scenery and fill your senses, is terrific.
For those interested in historical fact I would recommend The Rape of Nanking by Chang and for those interested in the themes of modern Japan and the consequences of denial and intentional ingorance, brilliantly portrayed in fiction I recommend The Wind-Up Bird Chronical by Murakami.