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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Great flow between past and present, old world and new. A touching story that is bittersweet.
This is one of those novels that will sit with me for a while. I can't believe I haven't read anything else from Tan.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A friend's mentor recommended this book, and while I didn't expect much, I cried because of how much I could relate to Ruth's strained relationship with her mother.
"Instead of feeling excited about the money, Ruth was hurt to know that her mother had denied herself pleasure and happiness. Out of love, she had stayed behind in Hong Kong, so GaoLing could have a chance at freedom first. Yet she would not take love back from people. How did she become that way? (345)"
This line took my breath away and made me feel...seen. One tear and many breaths later, I realized I've had to consider how to negotiate life with an aging Chinese mother who only accepts free.99 and may be at risk for a host of health problems that I am ill-equipped to support as her only daughter. While I may not do what Ruth does, I am grateful to be able to immerse myself in one of many possibilities. Again, absolutely obsessed with these multi-generation ethnic stories. Thank you Amy Tan.
"Instead of feeling excited about the money, Ruth was hurt to know that her mother had denied herself pleasure and happiness. Out of love, she had stayed behind in Hong Kong, so GaoLing could have a chance at freedom first. Yet she would not take love back from people. How did she become that way? (345)"
This line took my breath away and made me feel...seen. One tear and many breaths later, I realized I've had to consider how to negotiate life with an aging Chinese mother who only accepts free.99 and may be at risk for a host of health problems that I am ill-equipped to support as her only daughter. While I may not do what Ruth does, I am grateful to be able to immerse myself in one of many possibilities. Again, absolutely obsessed with these multi-generation ethnic stories. Thank you Amy Tan.
Very good story about one woman's journey from a life of hardship in China and the details she never shared with her daughter. I loved the mother/daughter dynamic, but found the daughter/partner dynamic not as satisfying. This one has been in the to read pile for so long, but the best part about the read was checking it off the list.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book proves that misunderstanding, resentment, arguments, and deep hidden feelings has been sources of pain & tears for mothers and daughters across the ages and cultures. Amy Tan is so good at explaining how mothers and daughters can clash so much because they are the same person, even if they come from completely different backgrounds, locations & times.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mother/daughter relationships, memory, identity, secrets. Amy Tan at her best. This is definitely an underrated book.