Scan barcode
nanikeeva's review against another edition
2.0
mixed feelings - typically, books in which so little happens/so much space is spent on quasi-philosophical musings actually bring some insight, but this seemed to facilitate little of that. if anything, the experience of reading of the book seemed to mirror the theme of monotonous, inevitable passage of time...
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is a thought-provoking novel about end of life issues, art, and what keeps us going. What keeps us going? A good project can help! Alice is a Chinese American woman living in New York City. Her sister lives in California, close to where their aging stepfather, a white man who speaks Chinese and whose ambition was to create authentic Chinese furniture, is descending into dementia. Alice contemplates her life, her work, her projects, and how she and her sister are handling their father's aging process. It's a reflective book, with many references to great thinkers and artists and how they view the world around them.
danimat's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
Not a book I would read again. I kept hoping for something, but it never came. Something that connected the dots with the artist and the narrator, but it really does feel like the point of the book was to waste time and show it doesn't matter. I can't recommend this book at all.
ale_ja's review against another edition
4.0
the story/core of this book feels in line w how my brain works.. pieces pieces accumulating by interest into an ultimate (in)completeness & thru it all time marches on… made me read slower than i have been. yes.
jgo's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
violeteel's review against another edition
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
victorianstockings's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
2.5
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
I had the feeling I wouldn't be interested enough and that this book wouldn't be for me.
skessler317's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emilybrown97's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
3.75