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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Not my favorite of her books, but I always enjoy Amy Tan.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This tells the story of Ruth, a Chinese-American woman who makes a living as a ghost writer, and the very rocky relationship she has with her mother. Her mother gives her a manuscript in Chinese about her life in China before coming to America, but Ruth is busy with her own life and doesn't get around to translating it until her mother starts showing signs of dementia.
The middle part of the book is the mother's story, and it helps Ruth understand her mother much better than she ever has.
I will say that an author has a juggling act when there is a story within a story. You have to make sure that both storylines are compelling. I found Ruth's storyline somewhat less interesting than her mother's narrative, but the wraparound story did give the mother's story a lot of context.
Overall, I really liked this, though it was a 4-star rather than 5-star book for me. I really liked the mother's story in particular and learned a bit about the unusual form of divination that gives the book its title.
The middle part of the book is the mother's story, and it helps Ruth understand her mother much better than she ever has.
I will say that an author has a juggling act when there is a story within a story. You have to make sure that both storylines are compelling. I found Ruth's storyline somewhat less interesting than her mother's narrative, but the wraparound story did give the mother's story a lot of context.
Overall, I really liked this, though it was a 4-star rather than 5-star book for me. I really liked the mother's story in particular and learned a bit about the unusual form of divination that gives the book its title.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wonderful story telling from the always-great Amy Tan. It starts slowly, with characters and situations being introduced, but once we get into the meat of the novel, LuLing's memories from her childhood in China, the book becomes irresistible.
I always find that knowing a little Chinese language gives a deeper meaning to the story, but one of Tan's strengths is that she doesn't assume this is the case for her reader. The meanings of characters, of sounds, of words are made clear only when the story needs it.
Along with "The Hundred Secret Senses," my favorite Tan novel.
I always find that knowing a little Chinese language gives a deeper meaning to the story, but one of Tan's strengths is that she doesn't assume this is the case for her reader. The meanings of characters, of sounds, of words are made clear only when the story needs it.
Along with "The Hundred Secret Senses," my favorite Tan novel.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't remember most of her books too well, it's been a while... but this is my favorite. Preeeety gooooood.
Really similar to The Joy Luck Club in that it follows the tense relationship of a Chinese immigrant and her American-born daughter. The daughter feels misunderstood and the mother has a whole secret past she has never revealed. The story was much easier to follow than Joy Luck, but overall not as enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this book. Tan's way of exploring families was absolutely perfect. The tangled mess between a shared history, a new future, love, and sheer frustration was accurate and heart warming.
What a wonderful book! It took me a while to start it. Once I did, I was captivated. I especially enjoyed the sections of the story that took me back in time. It was interesting to see how grandmother, mother, and daughter dealt with their heartaches, challenges, fears, and dreams.