moon_dude's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Child abuse
agentalpo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mdettmann's review against another edition
4.0
If you have a complicated relationship with your mom, this one might hit home and be a cathartic read all in one. I can see where others might think this is slow or boring, but I was pretty hooked by Ruth and LuLing’s stories and way family trauma had been passed down, yet worked towards some sort of healing as secrets were revealed. To me this didn’t feel as long as it was and I enjoyed the writing as well.
taylor_rains's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
staleyouth's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book when I first read it in my very early twenties but it hits differently now that I'm an adult with my own aging parents--this was the perfect time for a reread. Some parts of the story dragged for me and *hearing* names instead of visually reading them probably made things more difficult to keep track of, but overall I consider reading this book (again) time well spent.
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing; the middle portion about the mother's past which should have been interesting had the tendency to drag.
persephoneh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
chelsea_hunt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A masterpiece, especially the section told in old China. I was deeply moved by the stories of mother-daughter relationships. I must admit the beginning was a bit slow for me, and I almost set the novel aside. I’m so glad I stayed with it. The middle and end had me rapt to where I could not put it down. The stories all came back full circle in such a artful way. This book feels like a classic, rich in history, meaning and depth. I love it.
yuteeka_586's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0