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rebelbelle13's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second Amy Tan book I've read in as many years. While this one was better than my previous choice (The Kitchen God's Wife) it wasn't THAT much better. I enjoyed the ghost tie-in (the World of Yin) and the idea of reincarnation, which I subscribe to. This made The Hundred Secret Senses much more interesting a read- although it seems that Tan has used the same story outline as the first one: main character is a Chinese woman, struggling with personal issues and family, and two stories are told at once. The woman grows and the stories combine into one. I don't mind the similar formula- these two books were different enough that it wasn't blatantly apparent.
I did not like Olivia at all. She was petty, argumentative, jealous and outright mean towards Kwan and Simon. Many times she did not tell either person what she was feeling or thinking, and simply assumed they should know her thoughts and feelings. She would start fights for such small reasons that I was becoming overly frustrated. She harped. She held onto things and didn't let go. I don't blame Simon for separating from her. Kwan was nothing but nice to Olivia, and Olivia treated her with contempt and shame.
The novel died a bit the second quarter or so in, but picked up as soon as the trio made it to China. I finished the book simply because I wanted to see what happened to Miss Banner and Nunumu- i no longer cared about Olivia.
All in all, an okay read, but I really don't see how this author is so popular with so many unlikable characters and similar story formula. Kwan was my favorite.
I did not like Olivia at all. She was petty, argumentative, jealous and outright mean towards Kwan and Simon. Many times she did not tell either person what she was feeling or thinking, and simply assumed they should know her thoughts and feelings. She would start fights for such small reasons that I was becoming overly frustrated. She harped. She held onto things and didn't let go. I don't blame Simon for separating from her. Kwan was nothing but nice to Olivia, and Olivia treated her with contempt and shame.
The novel died a bit the second quarter or so in, but picked up as soon as the trio made it to China. I finished the book simply because I wanted to see what happened to Miss Banner and Nunumu- i no longer cared about Olivia.
All in all, an okay read, but I really don't see how this author is so popular with so many unlikable characters and similar story formula. Kwan was my favorite.
ehuffman's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this book...it's very touching. I was irritated at the main character throughout the entire book, but whatevs. It's a good read. HA!
houseofatreides's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
A beautiful story that weaves the present of Olivia Bishops life with her childhood and a ghost tale a 100+ years old. The characters are engaging and keep you interested in their dilemmas and their lives. The story gives a sense of hope, how it can transcend lifetimes. How love can be kindness, joy, hope but also grief and worry. How loyalty can span lifetimes and how love can take all forms. The novel captures in Olivia the sense of finding meaning in a strange everyday life. How meaning takes many forms and how the relationships we forge convey that to the heart and give us hope. How hope even in the bleakest of circumstances can survive and change occur against odds. For what are we without hope.
nadiabog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
magratajostiernos's review against another edition
5.0
¡¡Me ha encantado!!! Y lo he devorado... ¡NO podía parar de leer!
La historia sigue a Olivia y Kwan, dos medio hermanas. Olivia, nacida en Norteamerica pero de padre Chino conoce a Kwan cuando tiene 6 años y su hermana 18. Ésta ejerce en cierta manera de madre y niñera, Kwan le habla de todos los fantasmas que ve gracias a sus ojos Yin, y le cuenta sus historias, así Olivia acaba aprendiendo chino y Kwan inglés, y al mismo tiempo establecen una relación extraña y compleja que las acompañará toda su vida.
El estilo de Amy Tan me fascina, esa amalgama entre realidad y ficción, ese tono de realismo mágico cargado de leyendas y costumbres Chinas, la mezcla cultural Oriente/Occidente... En fin, este libro ya lo había leído pero hace tanto que no recordaba absolutamente nada, y lo he disfrutado enormemente.
Kwan es un personaje que creo que no voy a olvidar, se ha colado en mi corazón, me ha hecho reír y sonreír demasiadas veces, es tan entrañable, dulce y maravillosa... FAN.
Cierto es que Olivia a veces me sacaba de quicio, pero es comprensible por la situación que estaba pasando...
Lectura super recomendable que aunque me ha dejado muy melancólica, he disfrutado infinitamente.
La historia sigue a Olivia y Kwan, dos medio hermanas. Olivia, nacida en Norteamerica pero de padre Chino conoce a Kwan cuando tiene 6 años y su hermana 18. Ésta ejerce en cierta manera de madre y niñera, Kwan le habla de todos los fantasmas que ve gracias a sus ojos Yin, y le cuenta sus historias, así Olivia acaba aprendiendo chino y Kwan inglés, y al mismo tiempo establecen una relación extraña y compleja que las acompañará toda su vida.
El estilo de Amy Tan me fascina, esa amalgama entre realidad y ficción, ese tono de realismo mágico cargado de leyendas y costumbres Chinas, la mezcla cultural Oriente/Occidente... En fin, este libro ya lo había leído pero hace tanto que no recordaba absolutamente nada, y lo he disfrutado enormemente.
Kwan es un personaje que creo que no voy a olvidar, se ha colado en mi corazón, me ha hecho reír y sonreír demasiadas veces, es tan entrañable, dulce y maravillosa... FAN.
Cierto es que Olivia a veces me sacaba de quicio, pero es comprensible por la situación que estaba pasando...
Lectura super recomendable que aunque me ha dejado muy melancólica, he disfrutado infinitamente.
karenreads1000s's review against another edition
4.0
An engaging story and I appreciated the writing style. The short narratives made the whole story move so quickly. Amusing characters who were all a bit broken. Fewer sad parts would have been okay.
goldenabs's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
sungold's review against another edition
5.0
About fifty pages from the end of the book, I was emotionally preparing for a dreadful ending that I thought the build-up was leading to. What I did not realize is that, one, the tragedy in the end is not one I could have anticipated and, two, that the tragedy would at once be wrenching and...calming?
What an interesting line this book walks between such distinct cultures. Would highly recommend to everyone.
What an interesting line this book walks between such distinct cultures. Would highly recommend to everyone.
2catmom's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing compared to Joy Luck Club. Turned me off to reading her other books.