This is one of Amy Tan's best, in my opinion. Of course it involves Chinese and American and some Chinese-American characters, centered in Shanghai, starting in the late 1800s and continuing until the middle of WWII. If you haven't read one of her books, this is a good one, with lots of historical and cultural information and an intriguing tale of the changes of fortune that can occur through our emotions and decisions. I always love Amy Tan' s novels and this one was no exception. I was so involved in the novel that I read it straight through, laughing and crying in spots. There are many unfavorable reviews for this novel, and some have valid points. I enjoyed reading it, though, and in my opinion that makes it a good book. When you don't want the book to end because you want to stay with the characters and see what else happens in their lives, then that is a book you can recommend. Is this book fantastic literature? Probably not...but it is a good read.
What do You think about El Valle Del Asombro (2013)?
love historical fiction, an interesting look into aspects of life we don't usually see
—Courtcourt
good but long - took awhile for all the string to meet up and make sense
—hiba
Great read!!! Forget 50 shades of Gary. This is much better.
—Marko
Good book. Skipped over parts that were too long.
—ahmed
