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elizanderson1066 's review for:
The Hundred Secret Senses
by Amy Tan
This is a difficult one to review. Overall, I found it distinctly underwhelming. Some people describe Tan's novels as though they're life-changing. Can't say I agree given my experience with 'The Hundred Secret Senses'.
I thought that I was going to join the protagonist in her exploration into Chinese culture, which she'd always disregarded despite it being a large part of her heritage. Instead I got a story which I found rather flat. Having said that, Tan's emotive description should not be ignored. Her characters are good, flawed in ways that make them both real and likable. But at no point did I feel like I was being swept away by the story, or surprised about anything that happened.
The last half of the novel is better than the first. A particular plot trigger sets off a chain of events that makes it ever so slightly more compelling. There were points during the first half when I considered giving up, but allusions to an interesting plot twist occurring at some point down the line kept me reading. Just enough hook to make me finish it, but not with much motivation. I finished the book because I wanted to finish the book, not because of the overwhelming desperation to find out what happens that you get with a really excellent story.
I thought that I was going to join the protagonist in her exploration into Chinese culture, which she'd always disregarded despite it being a large part of her heritage. Instead I got a story which I found rather flat. Having said that, Tan's emotive description should not be ignored. Her characters are good, flawed in ways that make them both real and likable. But at no point did I feel like I was being swept away by the story, or surprised about anything that happened.
The last half of the novel is better than the first. A particular plot trigger sets off a chain of events that makes it ever so slightly more compelling. There were points during the first half when I considered giving up, but allusions to an interesting plot twist occurring at some point down the line kept me reading. Just enough hook to make me finish it, but not with much motivation. I finished the book because I wanted to finish the book, not because of the overwhelming desperation to find out what happens that you get with a really excellent story.