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bookishblond's review against another edition
5.0
I've now read 5 of Min's books, and loved them all. However, I wish that I had read this one first, even before reading her memoir "Red Azalea." This is the book that will help you understand her other writings.
megatsunami's review
3.0
Felt a little flat for the first half... Picked up steam in the second half, and I was really touched by the ending. At times I felt that, other than the narrator, the characters mostly existed to bring ideas to life, rather than as fully real people.
ajordan60's review
4.0
Katherine is a work of art that introduces so many questions about the nature of love, resilience, imperialist, racism, and the human spirit. This is only the second book by Anchee Min I've read, the first being "The Cooked Seed." I can see how she mined parts of her life to write this novel. Her writing is clear, strategic, masterful. She can create images packed so tightly with meaning that you chew on them for some time. I may have found a new favorite writer!
daggerheart's review
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
magneto's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
seulgireads's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bibliophiliadk's review
3.0
This is one of those books where I can't quite decide what I thought of it. I can't figure out whether it was genius or just mediocre. But I was at least fascinated by Anchee Min's writing and I am very glad that I have three other of her books.
walrus's review against another edition
2.0
An American woman moves to China to teach English to adults students who adore her, despite the cultures clash. This books started out strong, but the more I read, the less I understood the characters, and the less I was interested in continuing. The level of obsession towards Katherine was excessive, and the students' behaviors were too often irrational. As an American who has taught English in Asia, I had such high hopes for this book, but I found little to relate to.
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