Rating: 3.8.

This is a truly refreshing tale. Tan showcases her remarkable storytelling prowess by artfully juxtaposing folklore with the intricate and eerily relatable modern experience of Asian-Americans.

The book has a quality that almost makes it read like science-fiction, yet it does so in a subtle and understated way. It gradually draws the reader in, until the ending suddenly grips them in a spiritual and supernatural splendor.

The story is filled with a treasure trove of gemlike sentences that have the power to leave the reader in a state of, "ugh too real". These sentences seem to capture the essence of the characters' experiences and emotions with a startling accuracy.

Overall, this is a book that is well worth reading for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of culture, identity, and the supernatural.

It was truly a challenging task to rate this book.

On one hand, I absolutely adored the cultural perspective it offered. It provided me with a remarkable opportunity to gain a much deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Asian culture. The vivid descriptions and detailed accounts really brought the cultural aspects to life.

However, as I progressed through the book, it started to take a bit of a strange turn for me. There were certain elements and plot developments that I found rather unexpected and perhaps a bit out of the ordinary.

Nevertheless, despite this strangeness, I remained intrigued and curious about how it would ultimately end. The anticipation of the conclusion kept me engaged and eager to continue reading, hoping to uncover the final resolution and see how all the different threads would come together.

In the end, while the book had its flaws and moments that were a bit off-putting, I still found value in the cultural exploration it provided and the overall experience of following the story to its conclusion.

I've read most of Amy Tan's books over the years. So, when I found this one on the community market book table for a quarter, I had to look hard at it to remember if I'd read it already! I'm truly glad I picked it up because I absolutely loved it.

Amy Tan does an outstanding job of connecting her heroes, usually very modern American born and raised Asian women (in this book, Olivia), to their ethnic background. She achieves this through wonderful characters like the mother, auntie, or in this case, a long lost half sister - Kwan. Kwan adores her new little sister Olivia, but Olivia is not as enthusiastic. I quickly fell in love with Kwan and constantly wished Olivia would return Kwan's love. Olivia comes up with numerous reasons of her own to ignore her sister, such as the fact that Kwan sees ghosts. Kwan isn't afraid to share with her sister all the words of wisdom the ghosts have for her. Olivia even learns to understand Kwan's native language by listening to her nightly stories!

When Kwan discovers that Olivia and her husband Simon are getting a divorce, the ghosts recommend that the three of them take a trip to China. All three lives are influenced in different ways by this fascinating trip.

Highly recommended.

I'm not going to say I don't believe in ghosts. This statement implies that they are a legitimate possibility that one can choose to accept or deny. However, that's not the case. Ghosts simply don't exist. If they did, and if they behaved as many people claim they do, then literally every person on the planet would be seeing them everywhere. You couldn't even swing a dead cat without hitting a ghost.

This is an interesting thought in and of itself.

I have always loved Tan's writing. It is evocative and has just the right level of lyricism. She is truly a master at描绘 complex familial relationships. For the most part, I also appreciated the stories we got from Kwan. They felt similar to the myths and legends in "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin. You really develop a deep empathy for her, as well as for Olivia, who is trying to come to terms with both this long-lost older sister who suddenly shows up and her disintegrating marriage.

But as the novel progresses, Kwan's stories and her characterization start to grow a little tiresome. At times, she comes across as very child-like. If she had been written by a non-Asian author, I would have been extremely skeptical. I also had a hard time following the stories. Olivia, too, started to wear on me after a while. She often came across as a jerk, even when you want to have compassion for her.

And yes...ghosts. Nope. Plus other supernatural-type stuff that I won't mention because of spoilers. Nope, too. So while this book is of course well-written and engaging at times, and the family dynamics were beautifully handled, it wasn't entirely the book for me. I found it a bit of a chore to get through, especially towards the end when the supernatural elements are amped up to 11.

Lovely story indeed!

What amazes me about Amy Tan is her remarkable ability to weave complex stories with diverse perspectives, detailed descriptions, and a rich cultural nuance that remains both engaging and enjoyable to read.

Her works have a unique charm that draws readers in and keeps them hooked from the very first page.

It's no wonder that her books have gained such popularity and acclaim.

I can't wait to explore the other books by Amy Tan that are waiting for me.

Each one is sure to be a literary gem, filled with captivating tales and thought-provoking themes.

Whether it's her exploration of family dynamics, cultural identity, or the human condition, Amy Tan's writing always manages to touch the heart and leave a lasting impression.

So, here's to many more wonderful reading experiences with the works of this talented author! :)

At the tender age of five, Olivia is suddenly introduced to an eighteen-year-old half-sister, Kwan, whom she never knew existed. Kwan, hailing from China, relocates to San Francisco and promptly assumes multiple roles in Olivia's life - as her big sister, baby-sitter, and comforter.

Olivia spends her formative years, from childhood to young adulthood, consumed by anger and resentment, yet she remains oblivious to the root cause. She is easily riled up by Kwan, who chatters non-stop and shows no sign of being perturbed by Olivia's sarcasm or the embarrassment Olivia feels due to having such a strange big sister. Indeed, Kwan is quite the enigma. She claims to see and communicate with ghosts and can recall the minutest details of her previous life in China.

Olivia finds herself torn between believing and denying Kwan's extraordinary abilities. As she matures into adulthood and ties the knot, she unfortunately gravitates towards divorce. Meanwhile, Kwan is determined to prevent this from happening, firmly believing that Olivia and her husband are fated to be together.

The story unfolds through the first-person perspectives of both Olivia and Kwan. Thus, as we delve into Olivia's inner turmoil, we also gain insights into Kwan's unique outlook on life and the rich history of her past life. As the novel progresses, we gradually uncover how Kwan's story gains significance and profoundly impacts Olivia.

Personally, I doubt I would have possessed the patience and love required to handle Olivia's often irrational and childish torments. Although I can empathize with her annoyance at Kwan's incessant talking, I am still drawn to Kwan because of her remarkable abilities and her affectionate perspective on life. In the end, she is the one who facilitates Olivia's healing.

Tan's novel is truly a captivating masterpiece, boasting high interest value and solid writing. It represents the pinnacle of literary excellence and is certain to be cherished and devoured by generations to come.

Amy Tan is an extremely remarkable storyteller. Her works have the power to captivate readers and draw them into a world filled with vivid characters and engaging plots. One such character that readers are bound to fall in love with is Kwan.

Kwan is a complex and multi-faceted character, full of charm and personality. Through Tan's masterful writing, we get to know Kwan on a deep and personal level, experiencing her joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

The story in which Kwan appears is a truly nice read. It takes the reader on a journey that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, exploring themes such as family, identity, and cultural heritage.

Amy Tan's ability to bring her characters to life and create a story that is both engaging and meaningful is a testament to her talent as a writer. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading her work, I highly recommend that you do so. You won't be disappointed.

I found this book to be really quite slow-paced.

To be honest, I wasn't emotionally invested in the characters to a great enough extent to truly care about the parallel stories that were being told.

For the most part, I did enjoy the section that was set in China. However, I found the resolution to be rather contrived and shallow.

The relationships within the book felt one-dimensional. Maybe this was intentional since the book was narrated by Olivia, but I just didn't get any real depth from them. I absolutely despised the ghost of she who came before.

On the positive side, the reflections in the parallel stories were somewhat interesting, and the mythos held up well internally. It was a quick and easy read overall.

Nevertheless, as a result of this experience, I wouldn't go out of my way to seek out any more of Tan's books. I have a fairly strong feeling that it'll be mostly forgotten by me within 3 - 4 years.

A unique story about the differences that make up America on one side and China on the other.

China, a land of traditions, customs, and loyalty to family, and America, modern, urban, and with completely different views on life. Here we are talking about two sisters. One, who grew up in America, and the other who spent 18 years of her life in China and then came to America. And that's where it all begins. Kwan has yin eyes. She can see the dead, talk to them, and understand them. Kwan claims that she has already lived past lives and tells stories about them to her younger sister who thinks she is a fool and a bit crazy and doesn't believe her. Then they go to China and everything changes there. The stories start to take on their own context, shape, and meaning, and the younger sister begins to wonder what is really reality and what is the truth. Does Kwan really see the dead? Are her stories true?

Love, family, the past, and other worlds about which we know so little, are intertwined throughout this novel. The ending didn't thrill me. I expected much more, but all in all, it was solid.

I actually loved the book.

5 stars loved it. It was truly a captivating read that held my attention from the very beginning.

The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the plot had me on the edge of my seat.

But then came the ending. Oh, the ending!

I thought it was so clumsy! It felt like something that was just tacked onto the end without any real thought or consideration.

It was as if the author had spent all this time and effort laboring over the novel, only to slap a happy ending over it all in a rushed and haphazard manner.

It's so frustrating! I wanted a more satisfying conclusion, one that tied up all the loose ends and left me with a sense of closure.

Humph! I guess I'll just have to look for another book that can deliver the ending I渴望.

I have been reading this book over a long period of time. At first, it took me a while to really get into it. However, as I continued reading, I found myself increasingly drawn in.

To my great delight, the last one-third of the book was truly amazing. The author's combination of mysticism and humor is simply fantastic.

The elements of mysticism add an air of mystery and intrigue, making the story captivating and engaging. At the same time, the humor lightens the tone and brings a smile to my face.

Overall, this book has been a wonderful reading experience. Although it had a slow start, it more than made up for it with its精彩的结局. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting and entertaining read.

This is a rather challenging one to review.

Overall, I must admit that I found it distinctly underwhelming. Some individuals describe Tan's novels as if they have the power to change one's life. However, based on my experience with 'The Hundred Secret Senses', I simply cannot concur.

I had anticipated joining the protagonist in her exploration of Chinese culture, which she had always disregarded despite it being a significant part of her heritage. Instead, I was presented with a story that I found rather lackluster. That being said, Tan's emotive description should not be overlooked. Her characters are well-developed, flawed in ways that make them both realistic and likable. Nevertheless, at no moment did I feel as though I was being carried away by the story or surprised by anything that transpired.

The latter half of the novel is an improvement over the first. A specific plot trigger sets off a sequence of events that makes it marginally more engaging. There were moments during the initial half when I contemplated giving up, but allusions to an interesting plot twist that was supposed to occur at some point further along kept me going. Just enough of a hook to make me complete it, but not with a great deal of motivation. I finished the book merely because I wanted to finish it, rather than due to the overwhelming eagerness to discover what happens that one experiences with a truly outstanding story.