The Hundred Secret Senses
3 journalers for this copy...
From an Amazon review:
"Hundred Secret Senses is yet another Amy Tan novel that focuses on the cross cultural strains felt by Chinese Americans. In this novel, Olivia, a daughter of a white American mother and a Chinese father grows up in California as an All-American girl. When Olivia's father dies, a half sister, Kwan is brought from China to share Olvia's bedroom and life. Kwan, is steeped in the rich traditional Chinese pantheon of ghosts and yin people--this she freely shares with a relustant Olivia. All throughout young Olivia's relationship with Kwan, Chinese ghosts wander, until Olivia has learned Chinese and much about traditional Chinese life and culture. Amy Tan is very clever in forming Olivia's character, she works from the inside and outside through Kwan's observations.When Olvia leaves for college and hopefully a new life, she finds Simon Bishop. Simon is also of mixed Chinese heritage and also is haunted by the modern ghost of a former girl friend killed in a skiing accident. Olivia pursues Simon and the couple marries, however the partner's ghosts haunt the marriage, and as the story begins, Olivia and Simon are seeking a divorce. It is so interesting to see how Amy Tan intertwines Chinese ghosts into an essential American story of lost love. She allows Kwan to cross the barriers of both cultures and also Olivia's mind to show that ghosts are real and are effect everyone. Deep emotions and feelings are revealed in her books and that is one of reasons they are so compelling. Although this is the third novel about Chinese Americans and their cross cultural lives, it is really about anyone's life, as Amy Tan writes about real emotions and feelings."
Already a fan of Amy Tan's work, I thought this a fascinating and at times heart wrenching read... as long as you don't scrutinize the many coincidences too much.
"Hundred Secret Senses is yet another Amy Tan novel that focuses on the cross cultural strains felt by Chinese Americans. In this novel, Olivia, a daughter of a white American mother and a Chinese father grows up in California as an All-American girl. When Olivia's father dies, a half sister, Kwan is brought from China to share Olvia's bedroom and life. Kwan, is steeped in the rich traditional Chinese pantheon of ghosts and yin people--this she freely shares with a relustant Olivia. All throughout young Olivia's relationship with Kwan, Chinese ghosts wander, until Olivia has learned Chinese and much about traditional Chinese life and culture. Amy Tan is very clever in forming Olivia's character, she works from the inside and outside through Kwan's observations.When Olvia leaves for college and hopefully a new life, she finds Simon Bishop. Simon is also of mixed Chinese heritage and also is haunted by the modern ghost of a former girl friend killed in a skiing accident. Olivia pursues Simon and the couple marries, however the partner's ghosts haunt the marriage, and as the story begins, Olivia and Simon are seeking a divorce. It is so interesting to see how Amy Tan intertwines Chinese ghosts into an essential American story of lost love. She allows Kwan to cross the barriers of both cultures and also Olivia's mind to show that ghosts are real and are effect everyone. Deep emotions and feelings are revealed in her books and that is one of reasons they are so compelling. Although this is the third novel about Chinese Americans and their cross cultural lives, it is really about anyone's life, as Amy Tan writes about real emotions and feelings."
Already a fan of Amy Tan's work, I thought this a fascinating and at times heart wrenching read... as long as you don't scrutinize the many coincidences too much.
Handed off at today's BookCrossing meeting. Hope you enjoy!
Picked this book up at the August meeting.
Didn't get into this book at first, but persisted and enjoyed its quirky twists and the glimpse into the secret senses.
I am taking a large stash of books - most of which I have read to our June meeting at Cravings to be either passed on or left on a bookshelf.
Picked up at the Calgary BookCrossing Group.
To be released at the Calgary BookCrossing group meeting at Cravings Market.
In my hands for future wild release.