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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
"I stared once again at those sharp little stars, twinkling like fireflies. Only now they were splotched and melting, and the night heaven was tilting and whirling, too immense to hold itself up any longer."
The Hundred Secret Senses follows Kwan and Olivia, two sort-of sisters. Olivia is the narrator for most of the story. She's a half-Chinese American who has pulled some short straws: her ex-husband is obsessed with his dead girlfriend, her sister sees ghosts, and she's never had the strongest father figure in her life. But, interspersed with Kwan's stories of the yin people, she discovers who she truly is.
The first half of the book is slow. I didn't enjoy it and thought that Olivia was a whiny character. "It's not mean if she doesn't know it's mean," etc. She constantly degrades Kwan, even as an adult, and thinks her unworthy of her time. Kwan just wants a sister, and Olivia isn't even able to provide a true sisterly bond throughout most of the novel.
I enjoyed the book as a middle and an ending. I thought the middle was revving up more than the beginning, for sure, and the ending was stirring and exciting. Although I had my issues with it, I can safely say it's a good book.
The Hundred Secret Senses follows Kwan and Olivia, two sort-of sisters. Olivia is the narrator for most of the story. She's a half-Chinese American who has pulled some short straws: her ex-husband is obsessed with his dead girlfriend, her sister sees ghosts, and she's never had the strongest father figure in her life. But, interspersed with Kwan's stories of the yin people, she discovers who she truly is.
The first half of the book is slow. I didn't enjoy it and thought that Olivia was a whiny character. "It's not mean if she doesn't know it's mean," etc. She constantly degrades Kwan, even as an adult, and thinks her unworthy of her time. Kwan just wants a sister, and Olivia isn't even able to provide a true sisterly bond throughout most of the novel.
I enjoyed the book as a middle and an ending. I thought the middle was revving up more than the beginning, for sure, and the ending was stirring and exciting. Although I had my issues with it, I can safely say it's a good book.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I love the whimsical nature in the way that Tan writes. I'm a big fan of chinese fiction. It's always a pleasure to read and does not fail to take you to another time and place.This is a wonderful story of sisterly love, enduring love and ghosts.
I was fascinated by the intertwining of memory and story, and of past and present, and how it all played out.
But I can't say it was a book I was particularly comfortable with. There were certain things about each of the characters- Olivia, Kwan, Simon, and beyond- that tended to leave me feeling a little uneasy.
And the set-up of the story initially left me a bit confused, and the transitions back and forth were often so abrupt.
But that abruptness worked perfectly for the story and what was going on, even if it meant that at times, this wasn't an easy read.
But I can't say it was a book I was particularly comfortable with. There were certain things about each of the characters- Olivia, Kwan, Simon, and beyond- that tended to leave me feeling a little uneasy.
And the set-up of the story initially left me a bit confused, and the transitions back and forth were often so abrupt.
But that abruptness worked perfectly for the story and what was going on, even if it meant that at times, this wasn't an easy read.
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me some time to get into this, mainly because I could tell from the start that I was going to like it just fine but not have too many strong opinions on it. And after finishing it, I can confirm that that feeling was mostly correct? I grew pretty irritated with the narrator and her husband. Neither of them were good people, and while following unlikable characters can be investing, Olivia's lack of personal motivation made her an uninteresting protagonist. I liked Kwan and her antics, but when it came time to care about her, I found myself apathetic.
That being said, the reason I stayed invested is Tan's writing style. Her prose is fluid and engaging, and even when the story failed to catch my attention, her writing pulled me along. I also enjoyed Kwan's stories about her past life, and I almost wish the entire book had been historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural.
3/5 stars
That being said, the reason I stayed invested is Tan's writing style. Her prose is fluid and engaging, and even when the story failed to catch my attention, her writing pulled me along. I also enjoyed Kwan's stories about her past life, and I almost wish the entire book had been historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural.
3/5 stars
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
10 stars. A story that is well crafted and remarkably written, this has stayed with me for years. One of my favorites of all time.
