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redowns1022's review
2.0
Amy Tan does not write with the same style or voice of Kitchen God's Wife or Joy Luck Club. I think the goal was to educate readers about an oppressive regime, but with a happy ending to the narrative rather than stories such as "What is the What" with little happiness throughout. She addresses this in the prologue to the novel. However, I never like any of the characters, American or Burmese. I also felt that the book moved very slowly for the first half. Once I entered the second half, when the Americans disappear into the jungle, I was finally engaged. Overall, I was not impressed or particularly grabbed by this novel.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
4.0
I started this audiobook last year, but switched to something else for one reason or another. It's a slowly starting book that, while I found well written (obviously: it's Amy Tan) and interesting, I wasn't sucked into immediately.
But I gave it another go last month and, although it's a character driven story first and foremost, I found that the plot becomes very tense about a third of the way through. It's not a fast book, but it's a very good one.
Tan's narrator is a ghost, and I always enjoy reading books with a narrative twist. It's successfully organized and the narration never feels gimicky or silly. It's a sad book in many ways, but a terrifically satisfying read.
Tan does her own narration for this book, which I enjoyed. But be warned: there are a number of characters who have accents--English and Australian--and Tan does not do good accents. But otherwise, her reading is very good.
But I gave it another go last month and, although it's a character driven story first and foremost, I found that the plot becomes very tense about a third of the way through. It's not a fast book, but it's a very good one.
Tan's narrator is a ghost, and I always enjoy reading books with a narrative twist. It's successfully organized and the narration never feels gimicky or silly. It's a sad book in many ways, but a terrifically satisfying read.
Tan does her own narration for this book, which I enjoyed. But be warned: there are a number of characters who have accents--English and Australian--and Tan does not do good accents. But otherwise, her reading is very good.
misspalah's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The First Book i DNF for the past 5 years. 2 stars simply because in the first 100 pages, there are some quotes that i love. It is such a relieve after i joined the book discussion and found out that majority of people in the discussion did find the book difficult to follow through and believe that Amy Tan try to do so much in one book. Being the first book of Amy Tan that i read, this is such a huge disappointment given that my best friend love her books and always praised her writing. I may have to find her other books to read as many of her huge fans said that this one is a departure from her normal stuff that she used to write.
annieschenk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
masturahreads's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
carlyshoo's review against another edition
5.0
Did not expect this book to be the page turner that it is. Genuinely loved it and will probably proceed to read everything Amy Tan ❤️
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
It actually should have been an irritating book... ghost trying to help bumbling idiots. It wasn't. The ghost isn't being all powerful, just slightly irritated at her friends' inability to do what they should be doing. And her goofy friends are, after all, only human. Plus, as with other Amy Tan, you get a good dose of living in another culture, geography, etc and that is always good.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
From the book jacket Twelve American tourists join an art expedition that begins in the Himalayan foothills of China and heads south into the jungles of Burma. But after the mysterious death of their tour leader, the carefully laid plans fall apart and disharmony breaks out among the pleasure-seekers as they come to discover that the Burma Road is paved with less-than-honorable intentions, questionable food, and tribal curses. And then, on Christmas morning, eleven of the travelers boat across a misty lake for a sunrise cruise – and disappear.
My reactions
I like Tan’s writing. She has the ability to plop me right into the middle of a completely different culture. This story, narrated by the ghost of Bibi Chen (the group’s recently deceased tour guide), has some elements of magical realism. Tan deftly explores the ways in which American tourists make “innocent” mistakes that have significant consequences.
Some of the characters were irritating because of their know-it-all attitude; others (especially the two youngsters) were petulant and bored. They ignored advice and warnings, made little effort to truly understand the culture, and took unnecessary risks. Their unreasonable expectations drove me crazy and made me cringe for the impression they left on the locals they encountered. And yet … by the end they seemed genuinely moved by the generosity and kindness of the people, and were eager to help (if misguided in their efforts).
At 474 pages, this is longer than it needs to be. I got the point long before the tourists did, and I think a good editor might have helped Tan trim about 100 pages. Still, I enjoyed it and was entertained throughout.
Tan narrates the audio version herself. She really personified Bibi, and I felt as though I were hearing a tall tale directly from the character. A few of her attempts at Australian or Swiss/German or British accents went rather awry, but, again, it was as if Bibi Chen were telling the story and trying to add color to the tale so I forgave Tan.
My reactions
I like Tan’s writing. She has the ability to plop me right into the middle of a completely different culture. This story, narrated by the ghost of Bibi Chen (the group’s recently deceased tour guide), has some elements of magical realism. Tan deftly explores the ways in which American tourists make “innocent” mistakes that have significant consequences.
Some of the characters were irritating because of their know-it-all attitude; others (especially the two youngsters) were petulant and bored. They ignored advice and warnings, made little effort to truly understand the culture, and took unnecessary risks. Their unreasonable expectations drove me crazy and made me cringe for the impression they left on the locals they encountered. And yet … by the end they seemed genuinely moved by the generosity and kindness of the people, and were eager to help (if misguided in their efforts).
At 474 pages, this is longer than it needs to be. I got the point long before the tourists did, and I think a good editor might have helped Tan trim about 100 pages. Still, I enjoyed it and was entertained throughout.
Tan narrates the audio version herself. She really personified Bibi, and I felt as though I were hearing a tall tale directly from the character. A few of her attempts at Australian or Swiss/German or British accents went rather awry, but, again, it was as if Bibi Chen were telling the story and trying to add color to the tale so I forgave Tan.
kirsto515's review against another edition
reflective
2.5
Disappointing. Didn’t love characters. Sped read and skipped part in captivity. Interesting idea about dead friend following her friends on trip through Burma, but didn’t hit.
nderiley's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. This story had no point and the story line was bizarre. There were too many characters, making it hard to care for any of their stories. Not a fan.