Reviews

Profesoara de pian by Janice Y.K. Lee

glock_shmee's review against another edition

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1.0

I finished this out of spite but I messed up and this is the wrong « the piano teacher »

Didn’t love still, steeped in pro colonialism in awe of the bristish? Shh I don’t want it.

christabowen10's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense

3.0

tinea_elea's review against another edition

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3.0

Hong Kong was the star of the book as the narrative followed intertwined stories set in both 1943 and 1953. Ultimately, the characters were not nearly as interesting as the rich history explored in the city's war and postwar past.

abroadeast's review against another edition

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5.0

I pretty much devoured this in a couple of sittings, staying up until 3am last night - absolutely hooked. As a huge historical fiction fan, this was right up my alley. I go through reading slumps on a regular basis, but The Piano Teacher brought me right back out of my latest one. I am excited to read more of Lee's work :)

vickywong710's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

meaghandesigns's review against another edition

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3.0

Lots of potential but never really got there. Middle was better than the beginning or the end. The 1940s story was more engaging than the 1950s making a stark juxtaposition between chapters. Enjoyed it but never grew to love it.

andymunster's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

4.25

ericadamore's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

scunareader's review against another edition

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2.0

IMO, this book did not meet its potential, sadly. I felt like the main character (thus, title character), was inserted at the last minute as a deus ex machina to tell the story of the 40's. Maybe the author meant to do that. Maybe not. I didn't think any of the characters were well-written (maybe except for Trudy) and, at times, the story surrounding the role of the Japanese general and the Crown Collection was very confusing and disjointed. Or maybe I started skimming out of sheer boredom. In any case, Claire was the most boring, pushover-y, self-loathing woman I've ever encountered in a book of fiction, and my least favorite aspect of the book.

ljm57's review against another edition

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3.0

Set in Hong Kong both during WWII and in the 50s. It was okay but probably didn't live up to my expectations. Didn't like the characters much.