good book. don't expect all mysteries to be resolved

Clearly Mai Jia is a sophisticated writer at the top of his game. I very much enjoyed the varying perspectives and writing techniques that drove the story forward. The diary/notebook entries at the end completed the feeling that the story was always as I took it to be, an incomplete picture of the main character's whole life history including the important foundations and family that pre-dated his birth.

The emotional and philosophical perspective on those involved in cryptography and code-breaking was interesting, but for me personally I found the more technical aspects that were not even really alluded to made it all kind of lop-sided.

I've not read many Chinese authors, but like the others before Decoded, I felt that I was missing a lot of cultural and historical references that would have made the writing more satisfying.

Not great but good qualities were likely lost in translation.

I can see that the author put a lot of effort into this book, as did the translators - but I think there must be a bajillion cultural references in here that I simply don't get. I'm sure a lot of the metaphorical language is meaningful to someone who understands Chinese culture and history, but it went right over my head.

An intriguing espionage-ish thriller, I can see where the Le Carré comparisons come from. the way in which the narrative voice works in a somewhat epistolary style adds to the intrigue and as far as I can tell, the translation has worked successfully, I shall definitely look out for Mai Jia's work in the future.

I have mixed feelings about Decoded. The first half of the novel where we learned about Rong's background was an enjoyable journey. It is rather interesting that the section that really gets into the heart of the spy/mystery genre that the novel is labeled under held less of my attention. Overall, the unique storytelling perspective was intriguing enough to keep me interested to find out how it all concludes.

I discovered this book in The Economist a few weeks ago. The magazine contained a review titled "The Chinese Novel Everyone Should Read." As a fan of "world" fiction, I thought I would give it a try. I really was not disappointed but I can't give it five or even four stars as I liked it (3 stars) but I didn't "really" like it (4) stars and it is not "amazing" (5 stars) to me.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect as I don't typically read the jacket cover once a book has been recommended to me. I want to be surprised by the story. And for the most part, I enjoyed the writing and was reminded of Gabriel Garcia Marquez magical realism throughout the much of the novel. The characters are vivid and you do get a sense of some of the pre-People's Revolution-era China as well as post-Revolution but the story isn't so much about that as it is about an orphan who is adopted by his extended family. They realize quickly that he is an extraordinary mathematician who is later recruited by the government for cryptology work. (being a fan of The Bletchley Circle - I was keen on this aspect). After his recruitment, the reader doesn't really have access to the main character for a variety of reasons which I won't spoil for those who do read this novel. And I while I understand why the author chose to do this, some of the best magical realism moments and perhaps, the reason the story would have remained as engaging, seem to have been lost. And this is where I stick with three stars instead of higher.

The Economist says this "is an absolute joy to read." And when I think of Pear Blossoms falling to the earth and covering the ground (from the first quarter of the book) - I don't disagree. Maybe I just have too much of American sentimentality to have been able to let the ending go as it did. I would recommend it for anyone who likes to read something completely different (for that, I give it 5 stars. It is a refreshing change of pace). If you do - let me know and let's discuss!

Not the spy thriller I expected but an interesting treatise on the psychology of genius.