The Bonesetter's Daughter

by Amy Tan | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0804114986 Global Overview for this book
Registered by angelface46 of Grand Junction, Colorado USA on 1/2/2012
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by angelface46 from Grand Junction, Colorado USA on Monday, January 2, 2012
from amazon.com:
In its rich character portrayals and sensitivity to the nuances of mother-daughter relationships, Tan's new novel is the real successor to, and equal of, The Joy Luck Club. This luminous and gripping book demonstrates enhanced tenderness and wisdom, however; it carries the texture of real life and reflects the paradoxes historical events can produce. Ruth Young is a 40-ish ghostwriter in San Francisco who periodically goes mute, a metaphorical indication of her inability to express her true feelings to the man she lives with, Art Kamen, a divorced father of two teenage daughters. Ruth's inability to talk is subtly echoed in the story of her mother LuLing's early life in China, which forms the long middle section of the novel. Overbearing, accusatory, darkly pessimistic, LuLing has always been a burden to Ruth. Now, at 77, she has Alzheimer's, but luckily she had recorded in a diary the extraordinary events of her childhood and youth in a small village in China during the years that included the discovery nearby of the bones of Peking Man, the Japanese invasion, the birth of the Republic and the rise of Communism. LuLing was raised by a nursemaid called Precious Auntie, the daughter of a famous bonesetter. Once beautiful, Precious Auntie's face was burned in a suicide attempt, her mouth sealed with scar tissue. When LuLing eventually learns the secrets of Precious Auntie's tragic life, she is engulfed by shame and guilt. These emotions are echoed by Ruth when she reads her own mother's revelations, and she finally understands why LuLing thought herself cursed. Tan conjures both settings with resonant detail, juxtaposing scenes of rural domestic life in a China still ruled by superstition and filial obedience, and of upscale California half a century later. The novel exhibits a poignant clarity as it investigates the dilemma of adult children who must become caretakers of their elderly parents, a situation Tan articulates with integrity and exemplary empathy for both generations. Agent, Sandy Dijkstra. (Feb. 19) Forecast: With a readership already clamoring for the book, and Tan embarking on a 22-city tour, this novel will be a sure hit; its terrific sepia-tinted cover photo of a woman in old China only adds to its allure. Moreover, readers will be intrigued by Tan's hint that this story about family secrets is semi-autobiographical. The dedication reads: "On the last day my mother spent on earth, I learned her real name, as well as that of my grandmother."

*haven't read - reserved for General Fiction VBB*

Journal Entry 2 by angelface46 at Montrose, Colorado USA on Monday, January 2, 2012
picked at UBS at library-does have markings

Journal Entry 3 by wildflower37 at Montclair, New Jersey USA on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Received today from angelface46 as part of the general lit VBB. Looking forward to reading this! thank you!

Journal Entry 4 by wildflower37 at Montclair, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, April 2, 2013
I just received this on audio so will offer this print copy for the General Lit VBB.

Journal Entry 5 by cherryj at Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Book received! Thank you!

Journal Entry 6 by cherryj at Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Monday, May 19, 2014
I wasn't sure how I wanted to rate this book because, while I absolutely loved the second half of the book written from LuLing's perspective, I found the first half from Ruth's point of view to be a little tedious. She was a rather boring character, and I absolutely hate when middle-aged women whine about their lives but don't do anything about it! I cannot handle those types of books, regardless if the main character receives an epiphany.
LuLing's story, on the other hand, was fascinating, full of curses and wars and strange occurrences. I adored LuLing's strength, determination, and feisty-ness!

Journal Entry 7 by cherryj at Our Town Cafe, 245 E. Broadway in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Monday, November 3, 2014

Released 9 yrs ago (10/19/2014 UTC) at Our Town Cafe, 245 E. Broadway in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released this two weeks ago and failed to create release notes! :(
Left on the Take a Book, Leave a Book bookshelf at Our Town Cafe.

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