Reviews

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

nandikakinger's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

anouk14's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

4.0

gnobles's review against another edition

5.0

This book already had five stars from me before I realized that the woman on the cover, whom I believed to be Precious Auntie for the whole book, is actually Amy (Ruth!!) Tan’s grandmother, whose name Tan did not learn until her mother (who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s!) was about to die. This book felt so honest and true, so unpretentious and full of heart wrenching grief. It seems to be somewhat autobiographical, mirroring facets of Tan’s life in ways that were subtle and beautiful. This feels like a huge success of the writing prompt “write a story about a photograph”. I will definitely be back for more of Tan’s terrific storytelling about what it means to be a mother and a daughter.

sunnyphantic's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of my favorite books, and one that I keep coming back to time and time again because of how it represents grief and trauma, both immediately and generationally. I highly recommend reading this book at least once, if not twice.

aemiliaalba's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.5

jennyjjs's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 The scope of her writing and the beautiful way she can write about nuances between mothers and daughters are so spot on.

cami19's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

lawsonemmae's review against another edition

hopeful reflective relaxing 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

juliaehill's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

Read this in anticipation of seeing an Amy Tan author event next month. While there were some interesting explorations of 20th century Chinese culture and history, it was more a story of a woman's life than anything else, and the reveal at the end left me wanting something more.

casssiopeia's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual assault