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darastar's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really like this that much, and I really wanted to. There was an intriguing storyline, but the characters were just unlikable, and were played against such stereotypical traits that it was hard to see the serious story as much beyond farce.
Which seems harsh, because it was very interesting and evocative of Hong Kong, but the entire thing felt too small for the grandness it wanted to convey.
Which seems harsh, because it was very interesting and evocative of Hong Kong, but the entire thing felt too small for the grandness it wanted to convey.
areidbarnes's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. I was expecting it to be a much slower read but I found myself breezing through it. It had come highly recommended by my favourite teacher in high school but I have only just now gotten to it and all I can say is that I love it!
stephand2449's review against another edition
4.0
3.8/5 Stars
I have sincere mixed feelings on this book. The first 2/3rds of the book were so slow moving that I almost put it down. But then, suddenly all the action hit, the revelations began, and I found myself staying up late to finish it because I wanted to know how it ended. I just wish the first half (at least) of the boom hadn’t been so slow. All in all, it was a decent read with a unique historical fiction take on WW2 from Asia.
I have sincere mixed feelings on this book. The first 2/3rds of the book were so slow moving that I almost put it down. But then, suddenly all the action hit, the revelations began, and I found myself staying up late to finish it because I wanted to know how it ended. I just wish the first half (at least) of the boom hadn’t been so slow. All in all, it was a decent read with a unique historical fiction take on WW2 from Asia.
mipa_jt's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
donnaadouglas's review against another edition
2.0
This novel, set in Hong Kong, contains two main story arcs. The first follows Claire, a newly married English woman who has arrived in Hong Kong in the post-war era and takes up a job as a piano teacher to the daughter of an influential local family. The other story follows Will Truesdale, the driver for the same 'influential family' who embarks upon an affair with Claire. However, his story starts pre-war, and tells of his own first experiences in Hong Kong during the war.
Initially I expected this story to be no more than a tragic war-torn love story, but it actually became more of a mystery as the story progressed. Will Truesdale's past life involved a Eurasian woman named Trudy, and her involvement in a wartime underworld became apparent in the developing story.
I did not enjoy this novel. Unfortunately the 'mystery' aspects of the story seemed too convoluted, and I didn't see the relevance of the Claire character, her main purpose seemed to be purely to add even more of an element of mystery to an already confusing plot, and I felt she was more of a hindrance to the uncovering of the story than a help to it.
I also felt that we weren't really given any great insight into any of the main characters. They were hard to relate to as we weren't really told anything about them. The whole novel seemed hurried, like it was underdeveloped, and the characters really didn't stand out as memorable because of this. I wouldn't recommend this novel - there are similar stories out there of a much better quality!
Initially I expected this story to be no more than a tragic war-torn love story, but it actually became more of a mystery as the story progressed. Will Truesdale's past life involved a Eurasian woman named Trudy, and her involvement in a wartime underworld became apparent in the developing story.
I did not enjoy this novel. Unfortunately the 'mystery' aspects of the story seemed too convoluted, and I didn't see the relevance of the Claire character, her main purpose seemed to be purely to add even more of an element of mystery to an already confusing plot, and I felt she was more of a hindrance to the uncovering of the story than a help to it.
I also felt that we weren't really given any great insight into any of the main characters. They were hard to relate to as we weren't really told anything about them. The whole novel seemed hurried, like it was underdeveloped, and the characters really didn't stand out as memorable because of this. I wouldn't recommend this novel - there are similar stories out there of a much better quality!
sarahinthelibrary_'s review against another edition
5.0
I pretty much devoured this in a couple of sittings, staying up until 3am last night - absolutely hooked. As a huge historical fiction fan, this was right up my alley. I go through reading slumps on a regular basis, but The Piano Teacher brought me right back out of my latest one. I am excited to read more of Lee's work :)
smjohns91's review against another edition
3.0
Equal parts Somerset Maugham's The Painted Veil and Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians, it's a simple enough love story and coming of age in a foreign land novel. And easy quick read with nice details.