Have you ever gotten a
feeling that something would go bad? That nagging feeling that prevents
you from doing something you would typically do. So finally you listen
to your inside voice and avoid a situation. Then later you hear that
something terrible did happen? The cult is usually viewed either as real
or as nonsense, depending on who you ask. How do you feel about the
supernatural? Do you think such things are real?Our character Eileen Chen grew up in a home that not only believed in magic but embraced it. She follows her familial heritage in attempt to advance her career only to find a piece of herself instead. What dangers lie in wait for Eileen? Do we think she is really looking for material for her book or is she truly looking for a part of herself?
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteSpring has arrived. Glorious colours, marvellous light, cheerful conversations on the bus. I hope the same is happening with you, Katie, and that the children can get outside and enjoy it. And perhaps it’s cooler in Australia, Nancy, which might contribute to a your recovery. Jay and I send our love and best wishes for a quick return to your usual, wonderfully energetic self. Jay is in Malaysia as I write, my parents are enjoying a good spell of health, and I messed about in the gardening this morning. I’m studiously avoiding any reference to Brexit, but do wonder whether I should be stockpiling wine, rice and bottles of olive oil! Difficult times.
I struggled with this novel. In answer to your first question, Katie, regarding the realism of the events, I didn’t find any of it realistic. This is perhaps as much because I found the characters superficially drawn, dialogue unconvincing, and the events sometimes unclear. For example, I was never sure how Eileen arrived in Heartbreak Castle. There again, to be fair I perhaps did not read as thoroughly as I should have done. Also, sadly, I didn’t find Eileen an easy character with whom to identify. I’d say, in answer to your second question, Katie, she was looking for a part of herself, the part inherited from and developed by Laolao, the shamaness. Clearly, Eileen would have liked the promotion the research would have brought, too. There again, the conclusion of the novel tells us the opening of her third eye meant she would ‘see the world of the living with a new perspective’. And there seems to be no intention of returning to America, but rather of exploring, at least for the time being, the relationship with Luis. But by this time I’d lost all patience with her and really didn’t care much.
I’m sorry to be so negative. It’s another book that might be better presented visually – lots of fantastic events to be highlighted.
Hope everything is going well with you and your families, ladies.
Much love to you both
Sue
Hello! Hope all is well! Nancy, how is recovery going? Sue, I hope you’re not too lonely without Jay. Spring is starting to show its face here. The kids are chomping at the bit to get outside but I’m afraid it’s still a bit chilly. Benjamin is doing wonderfully at school. His teacher has nothing but good things to say about him. Lillian is getting into the princess phase. She is often running around the house in princess dresses and singing Disney.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Sue. This novel was a struggle. It was a short read but the story line was very contrived. Every event was so incredibly unnatural and forced. I was constantly thinking about how unrealistic every encounter was. I understand that events have to occur to move a plot along but this was rather ridiculous.
I did enjoy the pieces of Chinese culture that Eileen gave us. While I did not research any of the historical and cultural facts she gave us, I am incline to believe they are mostly true. I have heard many of the things Eileen said from my mother- and grandmother-in-laws. It made it interesting to hear them from a different source.
I am sorry you did not enjoy this novel so much, Sue. I’m afraid I didn’t either. It sounded like it had so much potential. Hopefully April’s book (also my pick) will turn out better.
To more good reading!
Katie
ReplyDeleteHi Ladies,
Thank you for all your well wishes, I am recovering well although not fast enough!! I am three weeks into a six week recovery and so far I’ve read five books, knitted two beanies, two pairs of fingerless gloves, one scarf and watched countless hiking and cooking videos on you tube. My next projects are some watercolour work and organising my way too many photos into some sense of order, oh and I think I’ve just about driven Ivars crazy, bless him he is showing remarkable patience.
I agree with you both, this was not my favourite book, which is such a shame because it held such potential in the reviews.
I didn’t like the writing style, I felt there were hints of the stream of consciousness style although not very well executed.
I was reading a bio on Mingmei Yip where she was saying she was writing one book a year and it made sense that it felt a little rushed and more like a first draught that could have been developed so beautifully into a magical story . I quite like magic and fantasy in stories if written well, I remember The Tigers Wife we read a few years ago and enjoyed the myth and magic in that so much more.
I also couldn’t quite feel any affection for a character who often refers to herself as ‘a beautiful exotic stranger’. Clearly the people of the Canary Islands are not so isolated they haven’t been exposed to tourist from around the world and Eileen speaks of the temples and even the Chinese restaurant in the village, so she was definitely not the first Chinese person to visit.
I wanted to enjoy this story it held so many key elements that I like in a story. I did enjoyed the insights into Chinese shamanism and the old Chinese legends, definitely my favourite bits.
I just feel this book could have been so much more and the author missed a real opportunity to write a great novel.
As I’ve said earlier I have been in a reading frenzy so, Katie fear not your next choice is wonderful, I loved it!
I hope all is well with you both .
Much love
Nancy