You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this in anticipation of seeing an Amy Tan author event next month. While there were some interesting explorations of 20th century Chinese culture and history, it was more a story of a woman's life than anything else, and the reveal at the end left me wanting something more.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this story about how Ruth comes to finally understand her somewhat 'difficult' Chinese mother. She finds her mother's hand written account of her life before she came to America and employs a translator to make sense of it. So much is explained, so much revealed. It also prompts Ruth to look at her own life and relationships. The sign of a good story well told is when I become completely engrossed and nearly miss my bus stop. This was such a book and I will certainly look to read more Amy Tan.
emotional
slow-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
Amy Tan's second best book! The story was quite boring in the beginning but as soon as the facts and the letters are read, you'll understand it! This is a story that teaches us how to appreciate our mothers and that we should. A serious, kind of humorous story! Life-changing, too!
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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 think every daughter of an aging mother should read this. I don't entirely understand or forgive LuLing's controlling ways and silly superstitions, but I see her as more of a whole person than just the nut she is 'today'. Maybe I can try to do the same for my own mother. :)
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes