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selinaphd's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it. I'm surprised so many people didn't I enjoyed being part of a life that was so unique and critical to china.
okragarden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Deportation
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
nchugh3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cloverjulie's review against another edition
2.0
Ms Tan clearly gets paid by the word. I would have liked this twice as much had it been half as long. She is a vivid storyteller, but these stories were not as cohesive as the other books she has written. The characters were difficult to like or identify with, and I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit. Which I think was funny to see as I was reading in the gym...
catjen's review against another edition
2.0
It was kind of a bubble-gum read, which is not to say that I didn't enjoy reading it, just that it wasn't that great overall. The story felt really choppy - sometimes the author would speed through 10 years in 2 paragraphs then other times several hundreds of pages would be dedicated to a few days.
albgje's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sonacederquist's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a fascinating view on imperial life in Shanghai in the early 20th century. While the story's protagonists can be frustrating, Tan communicates their complex emotions very well.
jmkizer's review against another edition
4.0
The book was very well written and I enjoyed the characters. Tan's writing style -- long chapters, long paragraphs -- requires the reader to slow down and at 600 pages for the hardcover edition, the book is long so it takes a while. Better to savor it? I don't know. I think that this is definitely one of Tan's better books but perhaps not my favorite.
Like many of her other books, it explores the relationships between mother and daughters and between the American and Chinese cultures.
Like many of her other books, it explores the relationships between mother and daughters and between the American and Chinese cultures.
sfcohen's review against another edition
I love Amy Tan but I just can't finish this book. I can't bear reading about how a 14-year-old is being prepared to be a "virgin courtesan." I'm sure it all works out in the end, and yes the female characters are all much stronger than the men, but it's still too painful to contemplate.
abastone's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful writing and story. It did seem to go on too long in parts. Also, I had minor quibbles with some character traits that I thought were inconsistent and some plot points that were dropped. But overall a great read. Definitely reminded me a little of Beasts of a Little Land (different countries, etc. but similar situations).