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bumblebeevie's review against another edition
4.0
Pleasantly surprised! I didn't think I'd want to keep reading after the first fourth of the book but it got to a point where I didn't want to put it down. Before I knew it I was 95% through it and I was a little sad about it.
smtvash's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely beautiful book.
I can't express the impact this novel has had on me.
The themes, the familial story, the mixture of superstition, rationalizing, relationships, a past that feels that cannot be touched...
Incredibly excited to read more Amy Tan. The first generation themes hit HARD.
I can't express the impact this novel has had on me.
The themes, the familial story, the mixture of superstition, rationalizing, relationships, a past that feels that cannot be touched...
Incredibly excited to read more Amy Tan. The first generation themes hit HARD.
ohkayeandthefae's review against another edition
5.0
Can I give this book more than 5 stars? The entire book is amazing. I was invest in each and every one of Kwan's stories. The last hundred pages had my heart racing. The last 10 pages had me in tears. Kwan is a saint!
kaleyhegeman's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
jltrumbo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
gabriella_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Are we born with blank hearts, waiting to be imprinted with any imitation of love?
Amy Tan just knows how to make me ugly cry wrapped up in a warm blanket this book has so many quotes that will live in my bones. Parts of this book are cruel, but by design, and it can be challenging to get through that. It’s still beautiful and very satisfying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, War, Vomit, Body shaming, Blood, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Bullying, Racial slurs, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Mental illness, Classism, Abandonment, and Gaslighting
lucidstyle's review against another edition
3.0
There are some fun, mystical elements in here. The trouble is that the MC is a bit of a confused type, and I lose patience with these slow-to-come-around types. Everything that was going on around her was beautiful - it's like she missed out on really appreciating things (and perhaps that was Tan's point...).
But the end - She could have ended before the final pages, and it might have been more powerful. I prefer an author to leave open the end rather than feed me a resolution that feels forced.
But the end - She could have ended before the final pages, and it might have been more powerful. I prefer an author to leave open the end rather than feed me a resolution that feels forced.
jillyrabb101's review against another edition
3.0
Took a bit for me to get into. Out of the norm genre wise for me. I tend to gravitate to books with a lot of action, with a series of little conflicts and resolutions that slowly bring you along to the major conflict of the story. This book is a lot more calm and meandering than I am used to. A lot of inner conflict of the main character that seemed completely unnecessary and dramatic. I feel like if I knew Olivia in real life, she would be bitchy and annoying. The overall plot is interesting and unusual. The ending bleh. Not an awful read. Just a bit disappointed I stayed up late to finish it when I could have had a few extra hours of sleep.