Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
45 journalers for this copy...
This arrived as a gift from Anoisblue. I thought it was from her shelf, but I asked several times for a BCID and got no response so I'm registering it myself in order to share it with someone else. If it turns out to have a different BCID, I will try to fix it.
Journal Entry 2 by kikimasu at Fellow Bookcrosser in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, September 12, 2003
Release planned for Saturday, September 13, 2003 at fellow BookCrosser in USPS, postal release USA.
Going out to tangledthreads as 1/2 of a thank you for the books she sent to me. Enjoy!
Going out to tangledthreads as 1/2 of a thank you for the books she sent to me. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 3 by tangledthreads from Derby, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 16, 2003
Many thanks for this book received in trade. I will post a review once I have read it, but please bear with me, as I don't have too much reading time at the moment... I'm really looking forward to reading it, though!
Had a few days away, and this was a very quick read. I did enjoy it, but thought it was a little spare on realism. I guess it is trading on the magic of the storyteller - Luo and the narrator are granted relative freedom to leave the village due to Luo's skill at narrative storytelling; Luo's storytelling combined with the magic of Balzac help ensnare the affections of the Little Seamstress; it is for the sake of literature that Luo and the narrator risk everything as they steal a box of forbidden books; and it is the very gift of storytelling that brings about the story's grand finale which threatened to be a bit of a damp squib as I began the final chapter, but turned out to be my favourite part of the book.
The book did frequently refer to political situations, how these affected the characters, and how everyday lives were 'run' by the authorities, but this is definitely more of a fable than a political novel. It's well-written, very easy to read, and I can see why it has done as well as it has, but overall, it failed to really touch me.
The book did frequently refer to political situations, how these affected the characters, and how everyday lives were 'run' by the authorities, but this is definitely more of a fable than a political novel. It's well-written, very easy to read, and I can see why it has done as well as it has, but overall, it failed to really touch me.
Journal Entry 5 by tangledthreads at Royal Mail 📦 in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Friday, December 12, 2003
Released on Friday, December 12, 2003 at Airmail to Canada in Postal release, England United Kingdom.
Am helping this book to continue its journey by RABCKing alongside Memoirs of a Geisha bookring - hope prairiefirefly enjoys this, and passes it on once read! Thought the 2 books went quite nicely together...
Am helping this book to continue its journey by RABCKing alongside Memoirs of a Geisha bookring - hope prairiefirefly enjoys this, and passes it on once read! Thought the 2 books went quite nicely together...
thank you so much for including this book - I really look forward to reading it and will be sure enough to pass it along once done :). Happy holidays!
What a lovely book! I absolutely sailed through it, and enjoyed every minute - so entertaining and visual - I loved the story, the characters and the language. I raved about it to symphonicca and it is now on its way, via Canada post, to her in Halifax for a read.
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I think canada post has broken new ground in getting this to me in only three days--- what is going on here?! :) A big huge thank you must be extended to the bookcrossing goddess, miss prariefirefly! I am indeed very much appreciative that you would share this book with me (and the yummy chocolate you stuffed in the package for me!) You rock!
I loved this little book! A quick read (which is nice considering my gigantic TBR pile!), but very engrossing and rich despite its length! **Note: Don't read further if you don't want to know more than you "should" about the story--- you will enjoy it anyway--- no big surprises, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it yet!
I loved the transition in the narrative as they moved out of a world of repressive communist chinese culture, and into having their world (and language, and emotions, and ways of expressing themselves) bursting out into the expanses of human experience when they discovered the secret cache of books! Such a subtle yet marked difference in the progression in the story! I loved it! They started talking, feeling, and experiencing the world like the writers and characters in the books they had discovered.
I was not sure what to make of the end, with the little seamstress running off... is it to say that intellectual freedom breeds more freedom? (ie: Luo was trying to mould her into something, but all the time she was her own creator, and was growing and expanding her horizons in ways he never anticipated) The two boys, although having been greatly affected by the books, didn't seem to expand beyond their new literary universe. It seems like the little chinese seamstress even grew beyond this new universe, and needed to keep moving in order avoid being suffocated. I am not sure that this is the writer's intention, but is something i got out of it.
Or maybe her leaving is supposed to send the message that we should not trust women with books and ideas? Keep 'em barefoot and preggers in the kitchen where we belong? ;)
Anyway, all this to say i thoroughly enjoyed this book! Thanks to the wonderful prariefirefly for sending it to me!
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Am going to be sending this out as a bookray. Participants include:
Bookhogger (Halifax, Canada)--- received!
Glasgowgal (Glasgow, UK)--- received!
LeighBCD (London, UK)--- received!
Robert-walker (UK)--- received!
torksoul (Paris, France)--- received!
Vampgirl (Spain)
Citrus (Austria)--- received!
Dagett (Austria)--- received!
Firedragon (UK)
libragirl (Christchurch, NZ)--- received!
Twinmaker (Australia)--- recieved!
Babybee (malaysia-- skipped)
Chivers (Brazil)--- recieved!
Ladybug01 (Virginia, US-- skipped)
spaceystacey (New Jersey, US-- skipped--- already read)
schmetterling (North Carolina, US)--- recieved!
Vicki9170 (Florida, US)--- recieved!
LesliePB (Ohio, US)
Catwoman (Alberta, Canada)--- received!
deadsteen (New York, USA)--- received!
froggiepopple (Minnesota, US)
CdnBluerose (Colorado, USA)
Mysteryfan03 (Missouri, USA)--- received!
momx3lovesbooks (Nebraska, USA)--- received!
rannie (Georgia, USA)--- received!
duza-kaluza (Poland)
Sirah (Finland)--- received!
aava (Finland)--- received!
keksi2 (Germany)--- received!
Tregossip (UK)--- received!
supertellp (UK)--- received!
Babyflylady (UK)--- received!
teuffi (UK)--- received!
j4neyo (UK)--- received!
cat207 (Australia)--- received!
hottamolly47 (USA)
iamagirldork (USA)--- received!
ilovethehutch (USA)--- received!
missprisy (USA) --- received!
spoiledrotten (USA)--- received!
elizardbreath (USA)--- received!
istop4books (USA)--- received!
olered (USA)--- received!
deereads (Canada)--- received!
cross-patch (UK)--- received!
Cassiopaeia (UK)--- received!
martaenmichiel (Netherlands)--- received!
booktwitcher (UK))--- currently visiting here...
.... and you?
Please make sure to journal when you receive the book, and if everyone could try to take no more than a month to read it and pass it along, that would be great! Have fun! :)
_______________________________
Update July 2006: I have posted this well-travelled bookring on the forum again to get some new members, just to see how many more people this book can visit! We're coming close to being one of the more travelled books on bookcrossing!! Thanks to both the past readers and the recent newcomers to this bookray, and happy reading!
Journal Entry 10 by symphonicca at -- Controlled Release in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada on Sunday, January 25, 2004
Released on Sunday, January 25, 2004 at A fellow bookcrosser in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada.This bookray is starting its journey today! I just released it to the first bookcrosser on the list--- enjoy!
I wanted to read this before it was sent off on the bookring. Symphonicca has graciously lent it to me before it begins its transatlantic journey.
This book was pretty good, though I didn't love it as much as I expected. It likely would have helped if I had read the authors they were so thrilled with - would have felt more of a connection with them, more excited for them. It's like hearing a story about someone you don't know - you usually just don't care to hear it as much. (or at least i don't).
And the ending didn't thrill me. It brought to mind 'Mansfield Park', when idependent and usually reckless behavior in women is blamed on education. Though it is great she went off to discover greater freedoms, she deserted her father and friends. And what sort of freedoms did she think were out there? Urban china in that time was still very restrictive - didn't have much in common with the places in the novels (France). I guess it showed how truly naive she was. Books can't replace experience.
This will head off soon to the next reader on the list
And the ending didn't thrill me. It brought to mind 'Mansfield Park', when idependent and usually reckless behavior in women is blamed on education. Though it is great she went off to discover greater freedoms, she deserted her father and friends. And what sort of freedoms did she think were out there? Urban china in that time was still very restrictive - didn't have much in common with the places in the novels (France). I guess it showed how truly naive she was. Books can't replace experience.
This will head off soon to the next reader on the list
Journal Entry 13 by symphonicca at -- Controlled Release in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada on Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Released on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at A fellow bookcrosser in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada.Sending this out to glasgowgal today--- enjoy!
Received in the mail this morning. I'm really looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately there are 3 books in front of it (plus the one I'm reading at the moment). But I'm a quick reader!
Thanks Symphonicca!
:-)
Thanks Symphonicca!
:-)
I loved this little book! I, too, sailed through the text reading it in half a day. The characters were wonderfully described, the writing was eloquent, and you felt transported right into the story. Thank you symphonicca for sharing this book. It was a true delight to read.
I already have LeighBCD's address, so this will be London-bound early next week.
I already have LeighBCD's address, so this will be London-bound early next week.
Journal Entry 16 by BC-08041015142 at By Mail in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, March 25, 2004
Released on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at ... by mail :) in Sent to a fellow BookCrosser, Bookring Controlled Releases.
hello! I received this in yesterday's post. This book looks wonderful, I am really looking forward to reading it.
I have had four bookring books all land on me at once so I am not sure when I will be finished with this as I have been extremely busy at work (doing 16 hour days!!). I always give book ring books priority in the TBR pile so hopefully it will not be too long before I can get this book moving again. Thanks very much - I will be back!
I have had four bookring books all land on me at once so I am not sure when I will be finished with this as I have been extremely busy at work (doing 16 hour days!!). I always give book ring books priority in the TBR pile so hopefully it will not be too long before I can get this book moving again. Thanks very much - I will be back!
I enjoyed this book very much... it was beautifully and deftly written. I have to say, though, I did not like the ending, it came out of nowhere. But that does not detract from the overall enjoyment I had from reading this novel.
I noticed that this novel was originally written in French - hence the emphasis on French classic literature in the book. I agree that it would have been helpful to have been more familiar with the works of Balzac and Alexandre Dumas but this is not essential to appreciating the novel.
Thanks symphonicca for starting the bookray!
I have the details of the person next-in-line and will send the book next week.
I noticed that this novel was originally written in French - hence the emphasis on French classic literature in the book. I agree that it would have been helpful to have been more familiar with the works of Balzac and Alexandre Dumas but this is not essential to appreciating the novel.
Thanks symphonicca for starting the bookray!
I have the details of the person next-in-line and will send the book next week.
Released on Thursday, April 22, 2004 at to robert-walker in Rotherham, England Controlled Releases.
I hope you enjoy the book!
I hope you enjoy the book!
This book has now found its way to Rotherham, one of my fellow Posties just popped it through the letter box. I will finish my current book over the weekend then move onto this one.
I enjoyed reading this book, so much so that i couldn't put it down and read the whole lot in one sitting. I t is easy to read, i felt as though i was there in the mountains, the book is very descriptive, tales of lice, and the drinking of congealed blood made me feel all squeamish, but yet i still couldn't put it down.
This book reminded me of Voltaires "Candide", one minute you want to laugh, the next you want to cry, and like another reader has mentioned here, the ending came to quick.
This is a book i will read again in the future.
This book reminded me of Voltaires "Candide", one minute you want to laugh, the next you want to cry, and like another reader has mentioned here, the ending came to quick.
This is a book i will read again in the future.
Just mailed to torksoul in Paris
I'm sorry not to have update sooner, but the book is safely with me and I am now half-way through.
I finished this book last week. Actually, the next person on the list isn't replying to the PM, so perhaps I'll have to contact the one after.
I didn't know what to make of this book, really not at all. I loved reading it, it read itself so quickly, and at the end I felt as though there wasn't enough, I could have kept reading the story for hundreds more pages. At the same time, I don't think I really believed it, or, more to the point, succeeded in imagining what was described. The characters, so hungry for culture; I just couldn't fathom that kind of thirst creating itself in the vacuum of their lives. The narrator asks the reader to imagine him - a boy with nothing but propaganda for mental stimulation - and I have to say that I simply can't. I would have loved to hear more about this, and how these amazing youngsters carved out a sense of art and literature in such an impoverished environment; but perhaps this wasn't the point of their story.
I didn't know what to make of this book, really not at all. I loved reading it, it read itself so quickly, and at the end I felt as though there wasn't enough, I could have kept reading the story for hundreds more pages. At the same time, I don't think I really believed it, or, more to the point, succeeded in imagining what was described. The characters, so hungry for culture; I just couldn't fathom that kind of thirst creating itself in the vacuum of their lives. The narrator asks the reader to imagine him - a boy with nothing but propaganda for mental stimulation - and I have to say that I simply can't. I would have loved to hear more about this, and how these amazing youngsters carved out a sense of art and literature in such an impoverished environment; but perhaps this wasn't the point of their story.
the book has been with me already for a little while and i'm halfway through it now... sorry that i journal it that late but i don't have regular internet access at the moment... just wanted you all to know that the book's fine...
Journal Entry 27 by dagett from Wien - irgendwo / Vienna - somewhere, Wien Austria on Wednesday, August 18, 2004
I recieved this book today and I will start reading it immediately. Thank you all for passing it on!
Journal Entry 28 by dagett from Wien - irgendwo / Vienna - somewhere, Wien Austria on Thursday, September 2, 2004
What an amazing and perfect little book! It took me longer to read than I thought it would. Though it is easy to read, I decided to slow down and to dwell upon the chapters a little longer. Funny and charming as it is, yet this little story made me think a lot about what you can take away from people. And it made me think about books I've read that brought changes to my life and my personality.
I will definitely give Balzac a try!
By now this book is on its way to New Zealand!
I will definitely give Balzac a try!
By now this book is on its way to New Zealand!
Journal Entry 29 by libragirl from Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand on Monday, September 6, 2004
This book received today, thanks - will finish what I am reading and get to this one next.
Journal Entry 30 by libragirl from Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand on Saturday, September 25, 2004
This book was a quick read for me, I can only echo the praise of the other journallers. The ending for me came quickly and I was also left wanting more. I enjoyed the change from that of the narrator to those told by the Little Chinese Seamstress, Luo and the Miller. It was good to get their take on what was happening. I initially thought that the Seamstress didn't find Luo's keys to stop him leaving the village - in fact it was she who left him behind - nice twist. I have put off seeing the movie of this book but will now find it to see how my imagination of the characters is portrayed in that arena.
Journal Entry 31 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, October 7, 2004
rec'd today, just the one in front of it
Journal Entry 32 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Sunday, October 10, 2004
A very quick read, something totally different to the books I have been reading of late. I enjoyed it but felt the ending was too rushed, the story needed to round out a bit more at the end. Off to Babybee when I have the address.
Journal Entry 33 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Monday, October 11, 2004
Babybee has asked to be skipped so just waiting on Chivers address. Posted 13/10/04
got this a while ago but had problems with my computer and an eye surgery, for that second reason i'm a little late on my bookrings but will try to read it asap!!!
i finished reading this one yesterday (my first 2005 book!!!!!) and asked for ladybug's address but she already read the book. i've already contacted the next participant after her and i'm waiting the address.i really enjoyed this book, that's a fast read, funny, dramatic, romantic... a great book!!!!
thanks for sharing!
WOW! I think this is the most-travelled book I have ever read through BookCrossing... very impressive. I received this in the mail a few days ago and I am already halfway through it. I have always been interested in the history of China in the last century, so this was a nice surprise. (Honestly, I didn't know anything about the book other than a lot of people were telling me to read it.)
received thank you!!
This book has appeared at the Lost Book Island after spending a few long months with a bookcrosser. This book should have been traveling along to its next destination by now but yet no journal entry has come to confirm this fact.This book has had quite some travels, passing through many hands as it has bounced along its bookray path. Yet there are many more readers to come and we hope that this book has not ended its journey at the Lost Book Island.
Many curious people want to know what will become of this book, when it will travel onward, and look forward to the day that the bookray is finished and all the participants have gotten the chance to read the book.
The other lost books would like to offer a toast to this well traveled friend and wish it good times in future travels.
PM'd LesliePB for her address
Leslie asked to be skipped. PM'ing Catwoman
Received in the mail today. I'm looking forward to reading this - will start tonight. :-)
I took my time reading this book as I knew I wouldn't be sending it until after Christmas. I finished it yesterday. Enjoyable little story. I was always expecting something really bad to happen, since the characters seem to have frequent premonitions and prophetic dreams. The ending was curiously unexpected I'll have to think about it for awhile.
Thank you for sharing this book with me. I've PM'd deadsteen for an address.
Thank you for sharing this book with me. I've PM'd deadsteen for an address.
Released 18 yrs ago (1/2/2006 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to deadsteen today
Mailed to deadsteen today
Waiting for me when I got to the office today. Thanks! I will start it on the train going home this evening.
Jan 23-- I had jury duty last week, which means I had extended reading time! This book is a very fast read and I enjoyed it very much. It speaks to the power of books to enlighten, teach and even transform a person's life. Will PM the next person on the list.
Jan 23-- I had jury duty last week, which means I had extended reading time! This book is a very fast read and I enjoyed it very much. It speaks to the power of books to enlighten, teach and even transform a person's life. Will PM the next person on the list.
Wow! This book has been traveling around for a while! It just arrived in my mailbox today! I have a couple of rings in front of it. Thanks!!
I flew through this book, the story was fascinating. However, I hated it when the author kept repeating a scene from different viewpoints. It seemed to waste a lot of space when most of the scene was identical.
I really did not like the ending either. I am not sure that I understood it. It almost seems that the author just chose something without any particular message. Thanks for letting me read this! It is nice to see these old bookrings still traveling!! I will be getting this on the road soon.
I really did not like the ending either. I am not sure that I understood it. It almost seems that the author just chose something without any particular message. Thanks for letting me read this! It is nice to see these old bookrings still traveling!! I will be getting this on the road soon.
I have 1 ring in front of this one. Will finish it within the next couple of weeks.
Two hapless city boys are exiled to a remote mountain village for re-education during China's infamous Cultural Revolution. There they meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, they find transit from their grim surrounds to worlds they never imagined.
I really enjoyed this book. I love learning about other cultures, especially chinese. The book had a great flow to it and didn't feel rushed.
04/19-mailed to rannie via media mail
Two hapless city boys are exiled to a remote mountain village for re-education during China's infamous Cultural Revolution. There they meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, they find transit from their grim surrounds to worlds they never imagined.
I really enjoyed this book. I love learning about other cultures, especially chinese. The book had a great flow to it and didn't feel rushed.
04/19-mailed to rannie via media mail
Arrived today, thanks Symphonica and Momx3. The cover is a bit worse for wear - either the post office took a peak
or it was caught in a machine - but it's still quite readable. I'll read it next and send it on.
or it was caught in a machine - but it's still quite readable. I'll read it next and send it on.
I was underwhemed by this book- found it a bit too spare for my taste. Thanks for sharing it with me. I'm skipping Duza-Kaluza at her request and sending it on to Sirah.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress arrived today safely, thank you Rannie and Symphonicca!
Wonderfully written story, same time so beautiful and so sad. I wish the end was happier, I wanted Luo and The Little Seamstress to live happily ever after...
Journal Entry 52 by aava from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Saturday, July 15, 2006
I´m still doing the "Grand Tour" in Europe, but I heard that this book has arrived. I´ll be back home next week and I promise to read the book asap.
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What a delightful little book! I read it in one go yesterday. It just always makes me wonder how dangerous books are: they give you ideas...
I loved the cover! I had to scan it for myself, it´s so beautiful especially with the small signs that tell how widely this charming book has travelled. And to keep it going it´s now on its way to Germany. Happy reading, keksi2!
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What a delightful little book! I read it in one go yesterday. It just always makes me wonder how dangerous books are: they give you ideas...
I loved the cover! I had to scan it for myself, it´s so beautiful especially with the small signs that tell how widely this charming book has travelled. And to keep it going it´s now on its way to Germany. Happy reading, keksi2!
Caught in the mail today.
Actually I feel very honored to hold such a well-traveled book in my hands, it´s so exciting :-)
Thanks a lot symphonicca for this ray and aava for sending it (and for the pretty postcard).
I have one TBR before this one, so I´ll get started next week.
Actually I feel very honored to hold such a well-traveled book in my hands, it´s so exciting :-)
Thanks a lot symphonicca for this ray and aava for sending it (and for the pretty postcard).
I have one TBR before this one, so I´ll get started next week.
Well, after so many JEs there is little to add that hasn´t been mentioned before. I agree with previous journallers that the ending was a bit abrupt, but other than that, it was a lovely read. The relatively simple writing and sparing detail made it all the more beautiful!
Off to Tregossip - enjoy!
Edited to add that the copy was quite battered when it arrived here (cover a bit torn), so I put some transparent cover foil on to make sure it can keep on traveling safely :-)
Otherwise, the condition is ok, the book is still very readable!
Off to Tregossip - enjoy!
Edited to add that the copy was quite battered when it arrived here (cover a bit torn), so I put some transparent cover foil on to make sure it can keep on traveling safely :-)
Otherwise, the condition is ok, the book is still very readable!
After 25 journallers, what is the state of the book like? It is great that this book has been so well-travelled!
I really can't add to whats been said before - a delightful, quick read even if the end is a bit of a let down. Perhaps it should have been longer - -
To supertellp once I have details
To supertellp once I have details
Journal Entry 57 by Tregossip at -- Controlled release in St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Friday, August 11, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (8/11/2006 UTC) at -- Controlled release in St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Controlled release to supertellp
Controlled release to supertellp
Journal Entry 58 by supertellp from Durham, County Durham United Kingdom on Saturday, August 19, 2006
I enjoyed this book a lot, I thought the ending was a good one I have read stranger endings!!!
Passed to BabyFlyLady today...happy reading.
Passed to BabyFlyLady today...happy reading.
Journal Entry 59 by BabyFlylady from Driffield, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 26, 2006
Caught from Supertellp at the Durham Meet today. I am looking forward to this one!
Journal Entry 60 by BabyFlylady from Driffield, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 1, 2006
I enjoyed this book. It was an entrancing insight into Chinese "history", which is hard to believe this has been happening in my lifetime. Although a fictional story the author was also sent for re-education so therefore there are facts behind the story. A short read but very enlightening. Disappointing end but that seems to be becoming a pattern for me these days!
Thanks to everyone for passing it on!
Thanks to everyone for passing it on!
Journal Entry 61 by BabyFlylady at -- Controlled Release in South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, September 1, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (9/1/2006 UTC) at -- Controlled Release in South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posted on to teuffi today. Enjoy the book.:o)
Posted on to teuffi today. Enjoy the book.:o)
Received the book today, started it straight away, sounds like a good book!
Journal Entry 63 by teuffi from Great Bookham, Surrey United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 6, 2006
An easy and very enjoyable read. It is always interesting to be reminded how different cultures may be in different parts of the world, especially when it relates to contemporary times!
A great story about the life changing power of books. I would however have liked to see the story continue a bit more!
Will send the book to j4neyo within the next couple of days.
A great story about the life changing power of books. I would however have liked to see the story continue a bit more!
Will send the book to j4neyo within the next couple of days.
Sent the book to j4neyo today. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Journal Entry 65 by j4neyo from Whitchurch, Shropshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 14, 2006
Received safely in the post. Many thanks to teuffi.
Journal Entry 66 by j4neyo from Whitchurch, Shropshire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 28, 2006
I enjoyed reading this and it has made me want to read The Count of Monte Cristo!
Posted to cat207 today.
Posted to cat207 today.
Was in the mailbox when I arrived home from holidays today. Thank you j4neyo for the lovely postcard, and thanks symphonicca for including me in this exceptionally long BookRay.
An enjoyable little book with a rushed and flat ending.
I have emailed hottamolly47 and am waiting for an address to send it on.
I have emailed hottamolly47 and am waiting for an address to send it on.
hottamolly47 is not answering PMs or an ISO in the Forum so is being skipped at this point.
Posting to iamagirldork in USA. Enjoy.
Posting to iamagirldork in USA. Enjoy.
Arrived today. Can't wait to read it.
11/14/2006 - I finished it yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a sweet story about the love of learning and books :)
PMd ilovethehutch for her address.
I'm so sorry. I was unable to get to the post office until today. It was shipped out today 11/18/2006. Sorry for the delay.
11/14/2006 - I finished it yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a sweet story about the love of learning and books :)
PMd ilovethehutch for her address.
I'm so sorry. I was unable to get to the post office until today. It was shipped out today 11/18/2006. Sorry for the delay.
tbr then i'll send it on it's merry ol' way! thanks!
mmmm....this book just didn't do anything for me. Maybe i just don't have any imagination!
will be mailing to missprisy when i receive her address
will be mailing to missprisy when i receive her address
Journal Entry 73 by ilovethehutch at Bookray in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (1/17/2007 UTC) at Bookray in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This book arrived today. I'm glad to be apart of such a well traveled bookring. I will begin this one after my current read.
I flew through this book. The story wasn't all that interesting, but overall a pretty good book. I will mail this to spoiledrotten next week.Release #5 for Guinaveve's Keep Them Moving 2007 Challenge
Received in the mail today. Will read as soon as I am done with my current book.
Finished this late last night. A very enjoyable story about two teens being re-educated in China who come across a stash of books, which are forbidden! Will mail out this to the next person on the list this week (Having a snow day today and can't get out)!! Thanks for including me in this ring!
Book was mailed to elizardbreath in Oregon this morning to continue on its journey.
Finished this late last night. A very enjoyable story about two teens being re-educated in China who come across a stash of books, which are forbidden! Will mail out this to the next person on the list this week (Having a snow day today and can't get out)!! Thanks for including me in this ring!
Book was mailed to elizardbreath in Oregon this morning to continue on its journey.
Wow! I almost feel like I should be keeping this well-traveled book under lock and key! I have several before it but should be able to get to it soon. Thank you!
I totally enjoyed this book up until the time that The Little Seamstress makes her first fateful decision (no spoilers here...but man, it does spoil the story.) Now I'm just mad and don't like this book! Will PM istop4books and send it along.
Journal Entry 79 by 
elizardbreath
at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, March 19, 2007
elizardbreath at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, March 19, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (3/19/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Sending to istop4books tomorrow.
This book was in the mailbox this afternoon and I can't wait to read it! I'm just finishing up my current book so should get to this one very soon. I wonder what the ending is? From all the posts here, I'm now very curious!
This is a little gem of a book, a quick and easy read, yet very interesting. I really wanted to get to the ending to figure out why some of the prior readers didn't like it. I did like the ending and found it very appropriate, especially for a group of readers such as bookcrossers. Books open our world and take us places we've never been before. I think books opened the seamstress's world beyond her village and she was compelled to seek other experiences which she heard through the storytelling.
Having said that, I wish the book had gone into more detail about the politics of the times, and reeducation in general. It left me wanting more, which all in all is not a bad thing for a book to accomplish.
Thanks Symphonicca for setting this up!
Having said that, I wish the book had gone into more detail about the politics of the times, and reeducation in general. It left me wanting more, which all in all is not a bad thing for a book to accomplish.
Thanks Symphonicca for setting this up!
Sent out to olered in today's mail. Enjoy!!
The Seamstress has arrived in Salem, Oregon and I can't wait to get into it. Thank you istop4books. This looks like a well traveled book to me...does it have forty stops now? Wow. I wonder what that is in miles...or hours held?
I loved this book. It was sooo easy to feel that I fit right in with them and was there. Have mailed the book to deereads on April 27th. Thank you for the channce to read this, I actually love bookrings because there are so many authors and titles that I wouldn't have a chance to try otherwise.
Book arrived today. Thanks for sharing. Will probably get into it over weekend.
May 23/07 - update - Almost done - weather has been sooo nice here and has completely slowed my reading down!!! Have PM'd cross-patch for addy.
May 23/07 - update - Almost done - weather has been sooo nice here and has completely slowed my reading down!!! Have PM'd cross-patch for addy.
An enjoyable read. I found that I enjoyed the actual way it was written more so than the story itself. (If that makes any sense at all!!). I think most of us here can relate to the importance of books in life and appreciate the wealth of a "secret stash" of books!!
I have it ready to mail out to cross-patch tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing!!
I have it ready to mail out to cross-patch tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing!!
Journal Entry 87 by 
Cross-patch
from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, June 14, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, June 14, 2007
Balzac and the little Chinese seamstress has crossed the ocean again - such a lot of miles under its belt!! Thanks to everyone for keeping this book travelling. I shall do my bit and then send it on to Wales.
Journal Entry 88 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 15, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 15, 2007
I see why this book comes so well recommended. It had the dual benefits of being a quick yet rich read. It was full of visual images, not of beauty, but of the plain ordinary. Peoples mean characters were subtly displayed, and the exhuberant enjoyment of the forbidden books was an indictment of 'Luo and me's circumstances. I feel it is a truly political book; the best-made points are under-stated!
I have Cassiopaeia's address and shall post it on tomorrow.
I have Cassiopaeia's address and shall post it on tomorrow.
Thank you Cross-patch, arrived this morning. This book has such a well read, well loved feel to it, I am really looking forward to reading it.
It adds tremendous pleasure to be able to unravel its history through everyone's journal enteries.
I really enjoyed this book, so simply and beautifully written, but almost impossible for most of us to understand the deprivations depicted in the story. I think I will try to find a copy to keep.Thanks you to everyone involved for keeping this book travelling, it has given so much pleasure to many people.
On its way to martaenmichiel in The Netherlands today.
The book has arrived a couple of days ago, just when I was starting to lose hope (it took nearly a month to arrive!!!)... Anyway, I am really excited about this book: so many of you have read it and enjoyed it! Right now I am finishing another book, and then I can focus on this one.
Journal Entry 92 by booktwitcher from Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, September 1, 2007
booktwitcher from Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, September 1, 2007
Thanks martenmichiel - I was woken up by the book arriving today. I am looking forward to reading it and adding some more names to the bookray.
Journal Entry 93 by booktwitcher from Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 12, 2007
booktwitcher from Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Funny at times and sad. I thought it was more about growing up and coping with terrible conditions and surviving through reading. One of my favourite bits was the way Luo was asked to tell the stories of films.
Journal Entry 94 by booktwitcher at Riverside Inn at Victoria Road in Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 12, 2007
booktwitcher at Riverside Inn at Victoria Road in Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (10/2/2007 UTC) at Riverside Inn at Victoria Road in Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
At the Chelmsford bookcrossing meet. I hope to encourage a mini bookray amongst our members.
At the Chelmsford bookcrossing meet. I hope to encourage a mini bookray amongst our members.
I did enjoy this short and comfortable read. It somehow seemed very familiar, perhaps because it reminds me of some of the fantastical books I enjoyed as a teenager. And it is certainly a very appropriate bookcrossing story. I have read ‘Cousin Bette’ and the ‘ The Count of Monte Christo’ - both long complicated novels in which you utterly lose yourself, and I can imagine how these two bright adolescents might immerse themselves in those alternative worlds as a relief from the stark reality in which they were being ‘re-educated’ at the time of the Cultural Revolution’ in China. Whether such a tale is likely, I just don’t know. Nevertheless, a good one to read when you need a break from more all the more challenging tbr’s in your bedside pile! I will bring this well-travelled copy back to our local bookcrossing group as I believe there were several others interested.
Journal Entry 96 by booktwitcher at == somewhere in Sudbury == in Sudbury, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, November 19, 2007
booktwitcher at == somewhere in Sudbury == in Sudbury, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, November 19, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (11/24/2007 UTC) at == somewhere in Sudbury == in Sudbury, Suffolk United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Journal Entry 97 by candy-is-dandy from Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Monday, November 26, 2007
Picked up at the Sudbury meet on 24th Nov.
A well-travelled book which is now doing the rounds of some Essex and Suffolk bookcrossers. My turn!!
A well-travelled book which is now doing the rounds of some Essex and Suffolk bookcrossers. My turn!!
