A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers

by Xiaolu Guo | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 9780701180386 Global Overview for this book
Registered by thy of Nurmijärvi, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on 7/14/2007
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by thy from Nurmijärvi, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Saturday, July 14, 2007
I could not resist a book written in bad English. Chinese written in English was actually very easy to read.
The book was funny, and in many places very annoying too. No one can be that rude and naïve than the narrator...? Overall, it is a good story about thinking in different languages, about different cultures and people and about growing up.

“Sorry of my english”

Author’s homepage: http://www.guoxiaolu.com

Book was shortlisted for Orange Prize for Fiction 2007


15.7. Reserved for bookring in Finland
19.7 Sent to tintti
15.8 from ring to bookray

Participants:
Tintti
AgdaAgulina / Praha


Journal Entry 2 by Tintti from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Tuesday, July 24, 2007
I just came home from my holiday trip and this book was waiting for me. Thanks, thy!

Journal Entry 3 by Tintti from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Monday, July 30, 2007
A nice story, but not quite as amusing as I expected. It was interesting to read about two different cultures and languages colliding, and I really liked the couple's conversations about how they understand certain concepts, and how the way of thinking is different in Western and Chinese cultures.

The narrator was sometimes annoyingly naïve (but who isn't at 23 and in their first relationship?) and very dependent on her man. Why couldn't she just go out and make new friends? On the other hand, the man's attitude was a bit strange too. At one point, Z says that Chinese people are fatalists, but I think he was more of a fatalist than her - he never wanted to make any plans for future. He found it pointless, because you never know what happens tomorrow. No wonder Z was a bit frustrated with him. :)

Thanks for giving me a chance to read this book, thy! I'll send it to AgdaAgulina as soon as I get her address.

Journal Entry 4 by AgdaAgulina from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Sunday, August 12, 2007
Thank you very much thy and Tintti! The book is in Prague now, and the next one to be read!

Journal Entry 5 by AgdaAgulina from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, June 24, 2009
First: I am very sorry to keep this book waiting for so long. It definitely didn't deserve it, as good as it is.

This dictionary charmed me completely. I am not from China, but I could relate to it so much that I did sometimes mistake it with my diaries from ten years ago. This tragicomic way to introduce yourself to a new country, new language, new universe of a man... though so far I am still on a journey, haven't returned back home yet. I really enjoyed the clumsy english too, maybe more than native speakers would. I almost started to speak that way again, is ok?

It was also my book to read while traveling now in France and Poland, so short chapters of discoveries made it a perfect read. I didn't release it wild as I got more readers interested while giggling with the book, but it will for sure continue traveling later.

Journal Entry 6 by misterpip on Sunday, July 26, 2009
This is a fascinating book- especially for expats or travellers but great for anyone who has any experience with cross-cultural understanding and misunderstanding.

Also a witty feat of writing, it is filled with simple linguistic humor- unique perspectives on vocabulary and intentional grammar mistakes. But a beautifully touching love story also unravels in its pages- idealistic hopes and realistic shortcomings make this a story many can empathize with.

A beautiful and memorable book. And one I plan to use to teach English with...

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