Reviews

This is an exceptional book. Epic in scope with beautiful language, this is a book about metaphors, music and mathematics. Well, a lot more than that too. The problem is I felt quite... bored.

It's a very meaningful book about the Chinese revolution, the Tiananmen Square massacre, refugees fleeing persecution and family bonds. But it's also about the Goldberg Variations, Bach, the role of numbers in fate and life, and how stories transcribe themselves from one generation to the next.

In other words, it's quite overwhelming.

I found the second half more engaging, mostly because it focused on the massacre, and the first half was a bit meandering. It was a good read, but unfortunately I felt it dragged on. Your mileage may vary, so I definitely do recommend it.

lenconfetti's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

bhaarathy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lsparrow's review against another edition

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5.0

Not an easy book but I loved it. I kind of wished the title was "The book of Records" as to me that was what this book is although perhaps the author felt that would be too obvious. I loved the flow of narratives and stories, the connections that are not merely about blood and the resistance and hope that expresses it self In so many ways. I have not read a lot about the cultural revolution and this was powerful and very intense.

lorimiller's review

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challenging emotional informative sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

karinlib's review against another edition

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4.0

This is truly an amazing story of epic proportions because it spans over 60 years, from the 50s and 60s to the present day. The story is told in a non-linear way, so the book is confusing at first. Once I got used to this, it became easier to see the transitions. Within this multi-generational story flows a "Book of Records", which seems to mirror what the characters are facing.

I found so much to enjoy in this book, but the music that permeated the pages was gorgeous. To be honest, I am surprised this didn't win the Booker prize.

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