She would have liked to say to her mother: "I ask for your forgiveness, and I also forgive you." This simple yet profound statement holds a wealth of emotions. It is a recognition of past mistakes and a willingness to let go of grudges. Forgiveness is a powerful act that can heal relationships and bring peace to the heart. By uttering these words, she is taking a step towards reconciliation and growth.

Perhaps there have been misunderstandings or hurtful words exchanged between them. But in this moment, she is choosing to rise above and extend the olive branch. It is not easy to admit fault and ask for forgiveness, but it is a necessary part of the healing process. And by forgiving her mother in return, she is showing that she is capable of love and compassion.

This statement is not just a formality or a quick fix. It is a genuine expression of her feelings and a commitment to building a better future together. With forgiveness, they can move forward and create new memories filled with love and understanding.

Amy Tan has an extraordinary way of commencing a story that makes it utterly impossible to put down.

For the initial half of the book, I found myself constantly pondering what precisely made it so remarkably good. Anecdotal tales, relatable characters, and the allure of Chinese folklore for added interest... these elements are all undeniably good. However, it was only in the final quarter of the book that I finally had an epiphany as to why I liked it so profoundly.

Because it is a book that delves into the profound theme of learning to love your past, regardless of the numerous scars it may have inflicted upon you. It is about learning to love and forgive your parents and ancestors, despite whatever they might have done to your genetic heritage.

It is a story about loving people in the best way you know how, and坚信 that one day they will truly understand just how deeply you love them, and just how fervently you wish you could change your own faults in order to love them even better. But you also hope that your seemingly feeble offering will be sufficient.

And it is a story about accepting that feeble offering as the precious gold mine that it truly is... not feeble at all. Through reading this book, I gained a wealth of insights into myself and my family relationships, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has a loved one with whom they struggle to quite relate or understand.

3.5*

It has been a considerably long time since I last delved into a book penned by Amy Tan. As the years and the number of books I've read accumulate, I find myself becoming increasingly discerning when it comes to writing.

In this instance, I suspect that the translation might not have been overly beneficial, particularly in those more "lyrical" segments. Once I have the opportunity to read The Hundred Secret Senses in its original English, I will be able to determine if this is indeed the case.

The narrative is engaging, especially the second part where Ruth's mother recounts her life story. It spans from her childhood in a Chinese village to her adulthood when she makes the journey to the United States.

Despite an initially somewhat tiresome first part, owing to the challenging relationship between Ruth and her mother, this book ultimately proved to be a delightful and captivating read.

I highly recommend it, especially to those with an interest in Chinese culture and family relationships, predominantly between mothers and daughters.

(review in English below)

3.5 stars

It's been a long time since I've read a book by Amy Tan and I think i'm getting more and more picky with the writing as the years - and the books - pass by.

In this case, maybe the translation wasn't very helpful, especially in the more "lyrical" parts. When I get to read The Hundred Secret Senses in the original English I'll know if this is true.

The story is interesting, in particular the second part, in which Ruth's mother tells her story, from her childhood in a Chinese small village until her journey to the United States, already an adult woman.

In spite of an unnerving first part, because of the difficult relationship between Ruth and her mother, this book turned out to be a pleasant and captivating reading.

I recommend it especially to those interested in the Chinese culture and in family relationships, mostly between mothers and daughters.

Meaningless words are simply a collection of letters.

If these words are assembled into a manuscript of 350+ pages, the crucial plot gets misaligned within the disappearance of its characters.

Tan overly elongates the cliched predicament of two generations of women, specifically the mother-daughter relationship, as they strive to find comfort in a past filled with secrets and customs that shape cultural propriety.

The result is a disappointment for what could have potentially been a praiseworthy account.

It seems that the story fails to live up to its initial promise, with the excessive length and the misplacement of the plot detracting from its overall quality.

Perhaps a more concise and focused approach would have been more effective in presenting the intended themes and emotions.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that everyone's perception of a story may vary, and some may still find value in Tan's work despite its flaws.

Overall, this review highlights the need for careful consideration of the structure and pacing of a narrative to ensure that it engages and satisfies the reader.

It is truly arduous to convey in words precisely what renders this book so extraordinary. It is penned with an abundance of love and a palpable sense of pain.

The narrative appears deceptively uncomplicated at first glance. Ruth, a 46-year-old Chinese American woman, has a mother, LuLing, who immigrated to the San Francisco area when she was a young woman. Now, as LuLing succumbs to the difficulties of old age, Ruth finds herself in a delicate balancing act. She must manage her life with a partner who is less than doting and stepchildren, while also grappling with her intense devotion to—and simmering resentment of—her mother, whose secrets may soon be irretrievably lost due to a failing memory.

Certainly, life and motherly love are seldom as straightforward as they might seem. This book embarks us on an enthralling and exquisitely beautiful exploration into the psyches of these two central female characters. Both are profoundly intelligent, albeit a touch self-effacing, and they struggle to recognize and harness their own strength and worth. As the book astutely observes, their love is fierce, even if it is not always expressed in the most ideal of ways.

This book is truly remarkable, boasting beautiful prose and offering a brutally honest yet deeply affectionate portrayal of life and the myriad struggles that women encounter.

I firmly believe that when Amy Tan hits the mark, she truly nails it. A few years ago, I voraciously consumed every single book she had penned and I still have all of her works neatly lined up on my bookshelf. Recently, I decided to re-read "The Bonesetter's Daughter" for my Booklikes-opoly square.

"The Bonesetter's Daughter" presents a complex and shifting narrative. It tells the story of a Chinese American daughter, Ruth, who is grappling with her mother, LuLing, who is beginning to lose her memory due to Alzheimer's. Ruth not only struggles to deal with her mother but also with her relationship with her lover, Art. At times, Ruth becomes mute, unable to express her feelings and emotions. However, when she discovers her mother's diary and decides to have it translated, it becomes a turning point. The diary allows her to see her mother in a whole new light for the very first time.

Ruth was, at times, a bit of a challenge for me. Seriously. I wanted her to be more assertive and take a stand against her boyfriend/lover and his rather difficult kids. Just reading about them was exhausting. But I did find myself feeling a smidgen of sympathy for her here and there. Her mother's fixation on ghosts, curses, and the embarrassing incidents from her childhood initially made it hard to sympathize with LuLing. However, things change once we get to her story.

I must admit that at first, I didn't have much liking for LuLing. But that all changed when we, as readers, get to read the memoirs that Ruth is having translated from what her mother wrote. We get to hear LuLing's earlier, younger voice and it truly breaks your heart to read about the hardships she endured while living in China. It also helps Ruth to better understand her mother and realize the reasons behind her mother's actions during her upbringing. The two women grow closer towards the end of the book, which brought a smile to my face.

I have always been a huge fan of Amy Tan's writing. She has this remarkable ability to make every sentence count and draw you in completely. I could feel every single second of LuLing's younger voice through her diary as she recalls her life in China. I could also sense her sadness when she realizes that her daughter is pulling away from her. However, I will say that the reason I only gave this book four stars is that the first part, which is primarily told from Ruth's point of view, was a bit of a struggle to get through. That's why it didn't quite earn a full five stars from me.

The setting of the book alternates between San Francisco and China. The parts set in China felt the most vivid and alive to me. Reading about LuLing living at Immortal Heart painted a picture of a stark and desolate place.

The ending was both poignant and sad. I understand that this book realistically portrays how Alzheimer's impacts people and their families, but I still couldn't help but wish for a different outcome.

The first book of the 2021 Asian Read-a-thon is now completed!

I am truly delighted that I began with this particular one. It has been sitting on my shelves for several years already. I'm not entirely sure if I ever had a specific plan to read it, but one day, I simply decided to pick it up. And to my surprise, I was immediately intrigued by it.

This happens to be my second book by Amy Tan. I read The Joy Luck Club last year, yet I don't really recall my exact feelings towards that one. Maybe it's because time has passed, or perhaps the impact wasn't as profound as I thought at the time.

Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to exploring more of Amy Tan's works and seeing what other literary treasures she has in store for readers. I hope that the rest of the books in the Asian Read-a-thon will be just as captivating and thought-provoking as this first one.

Overall, this has been a great start to the read-a-thon, and I can't wait to continue my literary journey.

This was my first encounter with an Amy Tan book, and I can firmly say that it will not be my last.

As I delved into the pages, I found myself truly enjoying the experience of being completely immersed in a different culture. The unique story that unfolded before my eyes, along with its fascinating characters, held my attention captive from start to finish.

I have a particular penchant for when characters are presented with a situation that prompts self-discovery, which ultimately leads to a profound transformation. This book accomplished that in a manner that was both deeply satisfying and thought-provoking.

It made me reflect on my own life and the potential for growth and change that lies within each of us. I look forward to exploring more of Amy Tan's works and continuing to be enriched by her storytelling.

I read it once upon a time, several good years ago, but I didn't remember much anymore.

It was at least a pleasant experience, a breath of fresh air and an escape from the daily routine that confirmed to me the idea that music and books are sufficient reasons to enjoy life.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that we forget the simple pleasures that can bring us true joy. Music has the power to move us, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible. It can transport us to different places and times, and it can connect us with others on a deeper level.

Similarly, books are a gateway to new worlds and ideas. They can expand our knowledge,激发 our imagination, and make us more empathetic towards others. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking non-fiction book, there's always something out there to suit our tastes.

In conclusion, I believe that music and books are two of the greatest gifts we have. They can enrich our lives in countless ways and give us the strength and inspiration we need to face whatever comes our way. So, the next time you're feeling stressed or bored, pick up a book or turn on some music and let yourself be carried away.

I almost gave up on this book early on.

However, I'm extremely glad that I didn't.

Although I didn't have a great affection for the character of Ruth or her life in San Francisco, the story of her mother LuLing truly salvaged the book and transformed the entire novel into a deeply moving and affecting work.

The middle part of the book, where LuLing is given the opportunity to tell her story in her own words, was undoubtedly the high point for me.

It was in this section that I was able to truly understand and empathize with LuLing's experiences, her joys, her sorrows, and her struggles.

Her story was so powerful and engaging that it made me forget all about my initial reservations about the book.

It was as if I was transported into LuLing's world and was able to witness her life unfold before my eyes.

Thanks to LuLing's story, this book became a memorable and unforgettable read for me.

Amy Tan has truly outdone herself once more. Both "The Joy Luck Club" and this particular book have served as powerful reminders that my mother is an individual in her own right, separate from her role as my mom. It may seem obvious, but I find myself forgetting this fact at times.

At first, it took a bit of effort to get fully immersed in the story. However, as I delved deeper, I came to appreciate the unique way in which it was organized.

There are several quotes that really stood out to me. One of my favorites is: “And then I realized what the first word must have been: ma, the sound of a baby smacking its lips in search of her mother’s breast. For a long time, that was the only word the baby needed. Ma, ma, ma. Then the mother decided that was her name and she began to speak, too. She taught the baby to be careful: sky, fire, tiger. A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.” This quote beautifully captures the essence of a mother's role and the profound connection between a mother and child.

Another quote that touched me was: “As Ruth now stares at the photo, she thinks about her mother as a little girl, about her grandmother as a young woman. These are the women who shapes her life, who are in her bones. They caused her to question whether the order and disorder of her life were due to fate or luck, self-determination or the actions of others. They taught her to worry. But she has also learned that these warnings were passed down, not simply to scare her, but to force her to avoid their footsteps, to hope for something better. They wanted her to get rid of the curses.” It highlights the complex relationships between generations of women and the impact that their experiences and teachings can have on one's life.

Overall, I found this book to be a thought-provoking and engaging read that offers valuable insights into the human condition and the power of family.

Amy Tan never fails to amaze with her captivating storytelling about mothers and daughters.

In "The Bonesetter’s Daughter", she delves into the intricate relationship between LuLing and Ruth. The story is filled with the secrets that a mother holds dear to safeguard her daughter. It explores the profound Chinese cultural bonds and shows how forgiveness can be attained, even when family members think it's out of reach.

I was truly impressed by how Tan weaved the modern-day narrative around Luling's backstory, which is her precious history that she refuses to forget. This unique storytelling technique adds depth and authenticity to the tale.

If you have a penchant for reading family stories that are rooted in a different culture, then "The Bonesetter’s Daughter" is a must-read. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and emotions of the characters, and it will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Chinese culture and the power of family.