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alexutzu's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is too underrated - it's slow but deeply meaningful, definitely worth the time. It combines many elements that I really appreciated: teaching some history, talking about the importance of family, discussing cultural aspects.
I liked this a lot - it's written in a beautiful, metaphorical style, and it contours so artistically the image of a sad story. It focuses one by one on the elements that were important to the family and that they lose one by one, being left with barely anything but their love for each other. The ending is tragic and, while it is not supposed to set and example for the readers, it preserves the same tone as the rest of the story.
Lastly, this book is full of beautiful quotes. While I would like to share some of them here, I feel that they might showcase too much of the story itself and be more relevant in the context. Therefore, you should read the book and discover them by yourself. 😊
I liked this a lot - it's written in a beautiful, metaphorical style, and it contours so artistically the image of a sad story. It focuses one by one on the elements that were important to the family and that they lose one by one, being left with barely anything but their love for each other. The ending is tragic and, while it is not supposed to set and example for the readers, it preserves the same tone as the rest of the story.
Lastly, this book is full of beautiful quotes. While I would like to share some of them here, I feel that they might showcase too much of the story itself and be more relevant in the context. Therefore, you should read the book and discover them by yourself. 😊
asreadbykat's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written, emotional story about a family and their bonds with each other. I absolutely loved this book. The writing is phenomenal, and the characters stole my heart. I honestly shed a few tears during the reading, and that rarely happens. The only caveat I have to give is that the book is not obviously marked in the order of events. The best I can say is read this book as though a family member is telling you stories about the same person/people, and that's how this book feels: the actual events the chapters are based on are, seemingly, in order, but the ages of the characters go up and down in each section. Personally, I didn't mind this, and I felt it only added to the charm of the novel.
I will definitely read this multiple times, and recommend it to every friend.
I will definitely read this multiple times, and recommend it to every friend.
katiegrrrl's review against another edition
3.0
I am. it sure this was a kids book. It feels mostly from the grandmothers point of view. Some chapters are from Ah-Mei’s point of view but aren’t really about being a kid. There aren’t many books set in China before the Communist took over or even durning for young readers, so being introduced to that in this book was nice.
2023 YMA Mildred L Batchelder honor book
2023 YMA Mildred L Batchelder honor book
edie_maeve's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Blood
2spoons's review against another edition
I genuinely just lost interest. I might finish it in the future but atm nah
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
1.0
A little girl, Ah Mei, has a close relationship with her grandmother, Nainai. Although her grandmother is French, her grandfather is Chinese, and Ah Mei has grown up in Shanghai. In the 1960s Chinese Cultural Revolution, people in Shanghai begin to look at foreigners differently, and Ah Mei and her grandmother suffer persecution under the Communist regime.
What drew me to this book is that Ah Mei loves to play piano, and I am a pianist, so that aspect of the story was attractive to me. The scenes about the piano are really beautiful and lyrical.
The writing style is slow and thoughtful, taking time to appreciate beauty in nature and art. We get to hear all the little details of Ah Mei's experience growing up in Shanghai, all the beauty and all the ugliness too as the Communists take over.
I enjoyed 90% of the book, and was swept away in the close affection of this lovely family. But then the ending happened.
My reason for a 1-star rating is the horrible ending. A character decides that they have suffered enough under the Communists, and decides to take their own life. This is tragic and horrifying, but the author treats it like a good thing, saying that this character chose to leave "in dignity."
In this book, suicide is stylized as if it were something romantic and noble, when in reality it is cowardly and ugly. I can't believe that this dangerous philosophic view-point is included in a children's book! This is a dangerous idea to plant in someone's mind, and I'm shocked that the publisher allowed it. It's disgusting and sick. Suicide is never the answer, no matter what the circumstances may be.
I'm very disappointed in this book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions expressed here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
What drew me to this book is that Ah Mei loves to play piano, and I am a pianist, so that aspect of the story was attractive to me. The scenes about the piano are really beautiful and lyrical.
The writing style is slow and thoughtful, taking time to appreciate beauty in nature and art. We get to hear all the little details of Ah Mei's experience growing up in Shanghai, all the beauty and all the ugliness too as the Communists take over.
I enjoyed 90% of the book, and was swept away in the close affection of this lovely family. But then the ending happened.
My reason for a 1-star rating is the horrible ending. A character decides that they have suffered enough under the Communists, and decides to take their own life. This is tragic and horrifying, but the author treats it like a good thing, saying that this character chose to leave "in dignity."
In this book, suicide is stylized as if it were something romantic and noble, when in reality it is cowardly and ugly. I can't believe that this dangerous philosophic view-point is included in a children's book! This is a dangerous idea to plant in someone's mind, and I'm shocked that the publisher allowed it. It's disgusting and sick. Suicide is never the answer, no matter what the circumstances may be.
I'm very disappointed in this book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions expressed here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism