It took me four and a half months to complete this remarkable book, and I must confess that I found every single aspect of it refreshing and beautiful.

This is my very first encounter with the works of Amy Tan, and I am truly enamored by her unique way of portraying women. She has an incredible talent for highlighting the minute details of women's lives in this book, which adds a layer of depth and authenticity.

Even though it has been over four months since I first picked up this book, I still feel a strong connection to it every time I go back and revisit its pages. The writing style is deceptively simple, yet the women in her book are complex and powerful characters.

I was particularly drawn to the historical bits and pieces scattered throughout the story. They gave me a sense of being transported to a whole new world with a rich and vibrant culture.

I absolutely loved reading this book, and I am now determined to explore more of Amy Tan's works. Five stars without a doubt!

(Added to my re-read list, as I know I will want to experience this wonderful story again and again.)

What I learned from this book - my favorite part:

"Isn't that how it is when you must decide with your heart? You are not just choosing one thing over another. You are choosing what you want. And you are also choosing what somebody else does not want, and all the consequences that follow. You can tell yourself, 'That's not my problem,' but those words do not wash the trouble away. Maybe it is no longer a problem in your life. But it is always a problem in your heart."

This passage really struck a chord with me. It made me realize that decisions made from the heart are not as simple as they seem. When we follow our hearts, we are not only making a choice for ourselves but also affecting others. We may try to convince ourselves that we are not responsible for the consequences, but deep down, we know that's not true. This part of the book taught me the importance of being mindful of our decisions and the impact they have on those around us. It also made me understand that we can't always run away from our problems. We have to face them and deal with them, no matter how difficult they may be.

Full review: http://books-n-music.blogspot.com/201....

I am constantly astonished by the treatment and predicament of women throughout history. I'm quite sure I wouldn't have survived long because, frankly, my aim would have been to ensure I took down at least a couple of the cruelest men! It's难以置信 and极其令人难过. How can the dismissal of half the human race be rationalized? I assume Tan's portrayal of females in China during the early to almost mid-20th Century is accurate. And if so, well, it was simply unjust.

And her first/Chinese husband. What a despicable being. Wen Fu had absolutely no redeeming features at all. I was extremely glad for her to meet Jimmie and build a life with him in the U.S. At least she was able to experience what seemed to be a true partnership and genuine love and respect with her second husband. (I feel as if I understand that feeling very well!)

The keeping of secrets and the revelation of withheld knowledge and history is such a captivating practice among us humans towards one another! Especially when it comes to our own children. More and more I realize that no one person knows every single detail about any of us. We choose to share certain things with certain others, but I'm certain no one person has shared every little thing about themselves with any one other person. We distribute ourselves among those we know, so to speak. And really, what do our grown children know about us? Especially regarding our previous history before raising children? Probably very little. And if they knew more, would it be as eye-opening as it seemed to be for Pearl? Or not...? What an amazing exploration of secrets and relationships!

This book truly exceeded my expectations.

I was particularly enamored with the relationship between Winnie and Helen. It bore a striking resemblance to the one my Mom shared with her sister, with their rather crazy perspectives on things.

Winnie endured some extremely difficult and harrowing times. Nevertheless, the book was far from being depressing. Winnie possessed an abundance of inner strength. She simply wasn't aware of it, which led to her lacking confidence in herself. Additionally, she was trapped. Living in an environment of fear and brutality inevitably takes a toll on one's mind, to the extent that mere survival becomes a major feat, and Winnie was a survivor through and through.

The relationships she formed during her journey were indeed extraordinary. There were secrets galore, along with the hiding of sorrow and shame. However, there was also a sense of closeness and a particular bonding that perhaps only women could truly fathom.

It was a delightful experience to gain a deeper understanding of China and its rich customs.

The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan is my second encounter with her works.

As is typical of Tan, this novel delves into the intricacies of an American Chinese family, with a particular focus on the mother-daughter relationship. While there are other characters, the mother, Winnie, and the daughter, Pearl, are undoubtedly the protagonists.

Pearl, born to a Chinese mother and a Chinese American father, has a secret she hides from Winnie - she has multiple sclerosis. This condition, which I can relate to as I also suffer from an immune disease, made it easy for me to engage with the story from the start.

As the story unfolds, we see the complexity of the relationship between Pearl and Winnie. When an elderly aunt dies, Pearl reflects on her past and present, sharing insights into Chinese funeral customs, beliefs, and traditions.

Winnie then invites Pearl and her family to a cousin's engagement party, and Pearl's aunt Helen confronts her, insisting she tell Winnie the truth about her health. Helen also demands that Winnie reveal her past to Pearl.

Winnie becomes a narrator as well, retelling her painful life with a powerful voice. At times, it was difficult to read about all the hardships she endured. There were a few episodes that seemed excessive, but overall, I loved her character.

Pearl's narrative is modern, while Winnie's is more old-fashioned, and together they work perfectly. Some parts of Winnie's story still haunt me, especially a particular sentence about grief that I find profound.

Overall, this novel was easier to follow than The Joy Luck Club, with only two narrators and distinct voices. The character development is rounded, and their relationship is complex yet loving.

However, while I liked this novel, I didn't love it as much as The Joy Luck Club. Having read similar themes before, I felt a bit less involved in the story. Nevertheless, The Kitchen God's Wife is a powerful novel worth reading, especially for those interested in the themes it explores. I would recommend it without hesitation.

This novel didn't quite meet my expectations.

I had anticipated a historical novel set in 20th century China, envisioning a rich tapestry of events and characters against that backdrop. However, what I received was more of a chick lit novel.

It had far fewer historical references than I had hoped for.

The story centers around Pearl, an American of Chinese descent, who encounters her mother Winnie at a family celebration just before the dawn of the 21st century. Their meeting is not entirely voluntary, and it quickly becomes evident that their relationship is not without its bumps.

Winnie, born and raised in China, only made her way to America as an adult.

As the narrative unfolds, we discover that Winnie has concealed many aspects of her life from Pearl. But circumstances compel Winnie to finally open up and share her life story with her daughter.

While Winnie's life has been influenced by historical events like the war with Japan and the communist revolution, the focus is primarily on her often arduous existence in war-torn, pre-communist China and the challenges she faced as a woman in traditional Chinese society.

Overall, I found the book interesting, despite my desire for a more in-depth exploration of the historical facts. I would rate it 3 stars.

NIE!

There are too many heroes. There are devious family alliances. There is a lot of history, and it's not clear who is telling it to whom and for what purpose. This one was the son of the uncle and his first wife... that branch of the family... in 1929... when the communists came...

I'm exhausted after just under 16% of the text, which by the way is being read by my intelligent phone. If I had to read it myself, I would probably have given up after a few pages.

The story seems to be a jumble of characters and events, lacking a clear narrative thread. It's difficult to keep track of who is who and what is going on. The mention of the communists in 1929 adds an element of historical context, but it's not developed enough to make a significant impact. Overall, the text leaves me feeling confused and disengaged.

An all-time favourite - I reread my copy every few years. This book holds a special place in my heart. It has a captivating story that draws me in every time I pick it up. The characters are so well-developed that they feel like real people. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I love how the author's writing style makes the story come alive. It's like I'm transported to another world as I read. Rereading this book allows me to discover new details and gain a deeper understanding of the story. It's a truly magical experience that I look forward to every few years. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read.

After watching Amy Tan's documentary about her life and writing late last year, I had a profound realization. I came to understand that I had only ever read her first book, The Joy Luck Club. In order to have a better recollection of it, I decided to reread Joy Luck.

The Kitchen God's Wife is her second novel. In this book, she follows a similar narrative path. However, this time the main character is a Chinese-American woman who is harboring a secret from her Chinese immigrant mother. The majority of the book is dedicated to the mother's story. It details the hardships she endured in China with an abusive husband, her survival through the Japanese invasion and World War II, and finally, her finding a good husband and emigrating to America.

This book is truly a page-turner! Although I have read a significant amount about Chinese culture, especially in Lisa See's books, this one offers a total immersion in the culture, the superstitions, and particularly the lowly position of women, even when they are not impoverished.

I simply can't wait for the next book, which was released in 1995: The Hundred Secret Senses. I'm eager to explore more of Amy Tan's captivating writing and the rich worlds she creates.

The review of "The Kitchen God's Wife" presents a detailed and interesting perspective on the book. The author initially describes a complex relationship that is not based on blood or marriage, yet is closer than that of sisters, bound by fate and debts. This sets the stage for a story that is full of secrets and loyalties.

The book itself covers a wide range of themes and locations, yet remains easy to read. The narrative style, especially in the chapters narrated by Winnie, feels like a letter, which the reviewer surprisingly enjoyed. It allows for a more personal and in-depth exploration of Winnie's story, as well as sharing the thoughts and opinions of other characters like Helen.

The reviewer also highlights the strong and genuine female characters in the book and the relationships they build. It emphasizes the idea that love does not always require liking someone all the time. Overall, the reviewer gives the book 3.5 stars and expresses a desire to read more books by the same author.

The Story: Pearl Louie Brandt has a terrible secret which she tries desperately to keep from her mother, Winne Louie. And Winnie has long kept her own secrets - about her past and the confusing circumstances of Pearl's birth. Fate intervenes in the form of Helen Kwong, Winnie's so-called sister-in-law, who believes she is dying and must unburden herself of all falsehoods before she flies off to heaven. Thus begins a story that takes us back to Shanghai in the 1920s, through World War II, and the harrowing events that led to Winnie's arrival in America in 1949.

Book club pick that provided some good discussion but ultimately underwhelmed.

This particular book, chosen as the club's selection, had initially sparked a great deal of anticipation. The members were eager to delve into its pages and explore the ideas and themes it presented.

At the start of the discussion, there was a flurry of excitement as everyone shared their initial impressions and interpretations. Different perspectives emerged, leading to some lively exchanges and interesting insights.

However, as the discussion progressed, it became evident that the book had its limitations. While it had offered some thought-provoking moments, it ultimately failed to fully engage the group on a deeper level.

Some members felt that the plot was predictable or that the characters lacked development. Others thought that the author could have explored certain themes more thoroughly.

In the end, although the book had provided some good discussion, it left the club members feeling a bit disappointed. It served as a reminder that not every book will be a home run, but that the process of discussing and analyzing literature is still valuable, regardless of the outcome.

4.5 stars

As I previously mentioned in a review, over the past few weeks, I have read quite a number of books but failed to write reviews for any of them. Now that I have a bit more time, I am attempting to "catch up" on those reviews. This, then, is catch up review #2.

One of the books I read during this period is Amy Tan's The Kitchen God's Wife. Originally published in 1991, it is Tan's second novel after The Joy Luck Club (which I also read and will review at a later date). As most readers familiar with Tan are probably aware, many of her works contain autobiographical elements (to some extent) either from her own life or her family's background. In this case, the story is based on her mother Daisy's history. Although many details were altered, the essence of her mother's backstory remained, specifically the depictions of how women were treated in China during that time period (from the 1920s to the late 1940s), as well as some of the things she had to endure and survive. At its core, however, this is also a historical novel that chronicles the changes in China from the 1920s (when the remnants of its feudal past were particularly evident) leading up to World War II and its aftermath. One of the things I appreciate most is that Tan tells this history from the Chinese perspective, rather than the Western perspective.

Interestingly, the story actually begins in the 1980s, in San Francisco. The first few chapters do have a slight resemblance to The Joy Luck Club with its exploration of mother/daughter relationships and the generational and cultural gap that causes seemingly insurmountable tensions between them. The mother is Winnie Louie, who is compelled to tell her daughter Pearl about her past when her sister-in-law Helen (who believes she is dying) wants to "come clean" and confess all the secrets they have been hiding for decades. Winnie tells her story starting in chapter 5 until the end (with the exception of the very last chapter, which brings everything full circle back to 1980s San Francisco).

To me, this book was more somber and more difficult to get through than Tan's other works. In a way, this is not too surprising given its subject matter. Although there are certainly light-hearted moments (especially in the "modern-day" sections of the story), and the fact that the story begins with Winnie telling her own story 40 years later (so we already know she survives all the hardships from her past) lightens things a little with the message of hope and resilience, the events that occur in the past leave such a profound impression that I couldn't help but feel as if a dark shadow had been cast and couldn't be lifted. The character of Wen Fu (Winnie's husband in China) was so abhorrent and despicable that after a certain point, I truly didn't want to read about this terrible person anymore (though of course I finished the book all the way to the end).

Overall, I did like this book and would definitely recommend it (although there are numerous trigger warnings). Tan's writing, as usual, is wonderful. I have always admired her writing style - how she is able to synthesize everything she and/or her family experienced and combine it with the skills she learned (she majored in English and Linguistics in school) to manipulate language in a way that conveys cultural nuance and meaning. In this regard, The Kitchen God's Wife is especially significant because not only does she utilize her entire literary toolkit (I actually conducted a in-depth analysis of Tan's writing, but I won't go into that here), but she also employs meticulous research to weave lesser-known historical elements into a story inspired by her mother's background. All of this combined has the effect of paying tribute to her mother and her own culture and background, while at the same time educating readers about aspects of China's history. Despite the trigger warnings, this book is definitely well worth reading.