I have just bought this book from the library - it was really expensive(as it is the original English version) , but as Amy Tan is one of my favorite writers I consider it worth the price:)

05.01.05. - I'm half way through the book. I just love the way in which the author reveals piece by piece the past of the main characters.

05.02.05 - I finished the book yesterday and I especially enjoyed the ending - I didn't expect it to be so optimistic.
"Precious Auntie" really was an intriguing character.
And I also liked the part in which the war with Japan interferes - the last book I read was "Memoirs of a Geisha" and there I was able to follow the same event from the Japanese point of view.

This book is reserved for a bookring.
Rules: keep the book at most 4 weeks and then send it to the next participant of the ring.

1.jade405 - Romania (Europe) - arrived on 04 may 05/ sent on 19 may 05
2. Xana - Netherlands (Europe) - arrived on 30 may 05
3. coolboxuk - UK (UK, but will post to Europe if needed) - arrived on 13 june 05/sent on 2 July 05
4. mady - Portugal (Europe) - arrived on 23 July 05/sent on 1 August 05
5. fflloorr - sent on 15 September
6.kitiarablue - US (US) - arrived on 12 November
7.Luintaurien - US (US) - asked to be skipped; she read the book
8.vcrain - US (international)
9.1stlite - US (international)
...and then, back to me

I am going today to work on a project with jade405 - in this way, the bookring will also start:) Enjoy everyone!

I've just had a awful exam this morning, so there was no time for me to read the book yet. Hopefully, I will have more free time after I finish a project that is due on Thursday, and will read it during the weekend.

One of the best books I have read lately, it was much better than what I expected when I first agreed to read it. It's both sad and joyful, and once I started reading I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I would definitely reccomend it to anyone.

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to the 2nd person in this bookring

It's with me now. I'll finish Good Omens today and start on it.
Thanks jade405!

Update:
Like someone else here said, there's always something very similar in everyone of Amy Tan's books, but at the same time they are unique.
I have to admit that this one was my least favourte so far, but I guess Amy tan is like Pizza: when ot's good it's very good and when it's bad it's still pretty good :)

Just received - thanks a lot!

Another great book by Amy Tan, although my favourite is still the Hundred Secret Senses. In a way, I think all Amy's books are similar in that they try to explore mother/daughter relationships of Chinese descent in America. The conflict of a generation brought up in modern day Western beliefs with their elders who still hang on to the values and superstitions of the old China. How their past is haunting them... And yet each book brings out different aspects.

As usual I found the beginning a bit slow-going but with Amy's books it's always worth paying attention even to what seems to be unimportant descriptions and little flash-backs... In the end they all add up and when the "mystery" is solved then the "annoying little bits" take on another character. It has always fascinated me how she manages to turn my impressions round in the course of her books, showing how there's always two sides to the medal. And I agree with blaisezabini12 - the ending is unexpectedly positive and wonderful!

Will be sending this off to Mady next week...

It's in my hands now :) I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, but since that is a too thick & heavy book to carry outside my home, this one will be my "outside" read.
Thanks a lot coolboxuk for sending it my way!

I have quite enjoyed this book from Amy Tan, not my favourite (that's still Hundred Secret Senses), but still addictive. I have read the last hundred pages on the bus going to the South of Portugal, where I spent the weekend at the beach. :)
As usual the main theme is the relationship of a woman and her Chinese mother, living in the US. And what is truth and what not about her mother?
I will now pass this book to fflloorr. Since August is almost national vacations month in Portugal it may take a few days more than usual.

As always, I loved this Amy Tan, one of my favourites authors :-)

RELEASE NOTES:

Sending this to kitiarablue.
By the way, Luintaurien asked to be skipped, she already read the book.

Arrived today! I will begin reading it tonight!

I really enjoyed this book and The Joy Luck Club, and from the previous entries I really want to read The Hundred Secret Senses now also. Amy Tan is becoming a favorite for me... Pming vcrain for mailing info tonight, so the book will be on its way shortly!

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to vcrain this afternoon. Thanks for sharing!