Reviews

The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan

alison_ruth's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

sharppointysticks's review against another edition

3.0

I started listening to this book either 2 or 3 summers ago when my local library first started having audiobooks available online but since, at the time, Macs were not supported I never actually finished it. Now that Overdrive supports both Macs and mobile devices I've been checking audiobooks out more regularly (though I still like Audible better, the library doesn't have a great selection to choose from) I figured I might as well finish it. I couldn't really remember much detail or where I left off so I started over. I enjoyed it. It was very Amy Tan-y. Friction between the traditional Chinese mother and the more American daughter. There were a lot of flashbacks to China. If you like Amy Tan in general, you'll probably enjoy it.

(audiobook)

maplegrey's review

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

llkendrick's review

5.0

I liked the view of what living in China was like in the early 1900s, the strain that being an immigrant in the US can be, plus the daughter/mother relationship in the book. A good read!

kait9414's review

Honestly I didn't even finish this book. It was well written, I just lost interest. I got this from the library and renewed it 3 times and still only got halfway through, so I decided to just call it quits. Not a terrible book, just not something I could keep interest in.

eklsolo's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

krandall813's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

mr_sosotris's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

What a gorgeous story. I’ve loved every Amy Tan novel I’ve read, and this one is no exception. It’s heart-warming, tragic, and very very human. 

The exploration of the difficult relationship between child and mother is so well-written, and I appreciate how the story never falls into absolutes or simple tropes. The specific combination of personalities that shape this central relationship is incredibly relatable and difficult. The two plot threads wove together well, the various overarching symbols and themes stitching the past and present together in a cohesive manner.

I did find the ending a bit too neat and tidy. It was a satisfying continuation of the previous plot threads, but perhaps I am such a cynic that I was expecting a messier, more real-life conclusion. But that’s very much a ME problem. 

Overall, this book is gorgeously written, and the characters really stand out as memorable and complex. I related VERY STRONGLY with Ruth, and her journey was just so captivating.

This is definitely one I want to read again. 

its_jess24's review

adventurous emotional reflective tense

5.0

bugzecat's review

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0