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A review by hazeyjane_2
A Single Swallow by Zhang Ling
2.0
DNF at 33%. I know that both Ling Zhang and Shelley Bryant, the translator, been widely acclaimed, and the writing was lovely. But it was just too slow for me. A lot of it was the recollection/memories of the main characters rather than focusing on an overarching plot. We start with the deaths of the three main characters, Pastor Billy, Ian and Zhao, and flash back from there. So we know how things are going to turn out. The novel depends on our wanting to study the character of Ah Yan. Because that’s what this is, a character study. Unfortunately, she wasn’t nearly compelling enough for me to want to continue this.
In parts the writing felt too long-winded and too introspective, leading to a uniformity in tone that made moments that were meant to be urgent and nail-biting, such as Pastor Billy saving Ah Yan from infection, move nearly as slowly as the contemplative parts.
I liked the depiction of tea-making and the description of rural life in pre-WWII China, but overall, this was more style than substance for me.
In parts the writing felt too long-winded and too introspective, leading to a uniformity in tone that made moments that were meant to be urgent and nail-biting, such as Pastor Billy saving Ah Yan from infection, move nearly as slowly as the contemplative parts.
I liked the depiction of tea-making and the description of rural life in pre-WWII China, but overall, this was more style than substance for me.