It wasn't until after I finished this book that I realized Nicole Mones is also the author of Lost In Translation. (Yeah, I know it says so right on the cover, but I was too busy absorbing what was in the book to be distracted by and the extraneous words on the cover.) It somehow doesn't surprise me, as both tales have a deceptive depth to them. On the surface of A Cup of Light, you have the basic story of Lia's appraisal of a collection of Chinese porcelain, and what that will reveal about the collection's worth and subsequent sale. You have the interactions of seller and buyer and all the intermediaries in between. But interwoven are several other tales-- the back history and mystery that Lia searches to uncover to put the collection in perspective, the story of Michael, and of Michael and Lia, the quest for the artist of the ruffled feather, and the desires of the potential buyer. In this story, the history is a character, and the fascinating story of the Emperor's porcelain leads the way. I also was fascinated by Lia's memory devices and by the way she would alter her world and perceptions by removing her hearing aids. As someone who has lived with a deaf woman all my life, and seen the struggles with uncooperative devices and the blessed relief that sometimes deep silence can bring, it added another dimension.

This book was given to me by hazrabai, and I am entirely grateful.

From the Publisher

"As an appraiser of fine Chinese porcelain, Lia Frank holds fragile beauty in her hands, examines priceless treasure with a magnifying lens. But when Lia looks in the mirror, she sees the flaws in herself, a woman wary of love, cut off from the world around her. Still, when she is sent to Beijing to authenticate a collection of rare pieces, Lia will find herself changing in surprising ways ... coming alive in the shadow of an astounding mystery ... drawn into an unfolding saga of artists and thieves, intrigue and longing." "Lia was told the collection was impressive - twenty spectacular pots. Instead, in a vast room in a gated home in Beijing, Lia finds herself surrounded by the impossible: forty crates and eight hundred works of astounding beauty, with pieces reaching back centuries and perhaps even into the royal residence of the Forbidden City. Now Lia must evaluate each fragile pot, pairing each brushstroke and each nearly invisible imperfection with the database in her mind. Her job is to answer questions that will reverberate through dozens of lives: Where did these works of art come from? Are they truly authentic? Or are they impossibly beautiful forgeries - part of the perilous underworld of Chinese art?" As Lia examines her treasure, a breathtaking mystery unravels around her. A smuggler will risk his life for a chance to spirit these imperial antiquities out of China. A dealer in Hong Kong awaits, while a buyer in America is driven by a longing no possession will ever fulfill. And with political intrigue intruding on her world of provenance and beauty, Lia is drawn into another, more personal drama - a love affair that could alter the course of her life ...

With an angelfisher (L). Michele loved it. so did Scottie and Liz.

Did not finish reading this; somehow, just couldn't enter into her world.

Back with me now. On hold for meetup or UnCon or something.

Will take this on the great road trip with me. Did I mention that hazrabai gave me this book? She got it here, so this copy can't claim to have started in India, but almost!

I've also given the BCID to hazrabai to journal on sometime, as she was the originator of this book. :)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

SEnding this on to mojosmom instead of hand-delivering on a now-cancelled trip across the country. I figure this way, she has room to take home another book from Charleston when she comes here next month. :)

Just received today. This looks interesting. I'll put it towards the top of the TBR pile!

I couldn't work out my login etc and bookczuk promised to help me. She did, and I am cutting in to be able to follow this book. I loved it so much when I read it, that I got a copy for bookczuk and the rest is history. Please pardon the interruption and feel free to reclaim this on your shelf, mojosmom. I wish we could have met in September on the trip that didn't happen. Another time, maybe.

I have been remiss in journaling this book. I came across it again when looking for books to take to the BC convention in Amsterdam to release.

This was a fascinating look at the intrigue that lurks in the world of antiques and art. What is real? What is fake? And what is real and fake in the world around us.

I enjoyed this very much, so thank you to czukie and hazrabai for sending it my way. I hope the finder likes it as much as we all did.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

at BC convention

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released in front of a house with a stylized sun over the door.

This book will be on the station of Leiden next saturday

CAUGHT IN AMSTERDAM NORTH HOLLAND NETHERLANDS

I brought this book with me to Seoul, Korea. Hope it will find another book-loving traveller!