I gave this book 3 stars because I was compelled to finish it. I took one away for the gratuitous and unimaginative sex scenes and another because I could not picture the story (characters and scenery) in my mind.If the author had used her extra words on bringing the settings to life instead of the pathetic nature of the men in the story, I would have enjoyed it much more. (Alex is so needy and condescending I wanted to gag!)The premise of the story really had promise for me and I was looking forward to the adventure, but it fell short in so many ways.Yip explores the idea of chasing riches and depicts human nature as greedy and banal. That's ok, but it doesn't mesh with the supposed self-discovery that should have taken place.I think it should have been a life altering experience, but only the setting changed and the discoveries were not earth shattering as I expected them to be.With all that, it was a promising story line, that could easily be "fixed". The plot of this book had a lot of potential--but it fell short of a good read in several ways. The premise that a penniless but talented writer is given the opportunity to gain a huge inhertance if she will accomplish the tasks set forth by an unknown relative. The tasks involve traveling to the mysterious far west of China to find and rescue ancient artifacts. Now that is interesting--but I was dissapointed in the book.First, a travel book should ALWAYS have a map. Some illustrations of the places visited would have helped, but at least a map to show the locations of the tasks. I want to know where these place are and if they are real--to vicariously visit places out of my reach. Second, it is best to let the written language flow rather than force in descriptive words and phrases straight from the Thesaurus ("A slight bitter smell of old paper mixed with the fragrance of residual incense penetrated my nostrils." p. 129 The room was filled with the slightly bitter...etc., would be less akward.) Third, there are many gramatical errors("....have my brains dashed like vomit?" p128 the descriptor is gross, and doesn't match the action, plus it needs a preposition--"dashed out"). Fourth--did she really have to have sex with every male she encountered? The excitement of the adventure should drive the story, not the titilation. The romance between Lily Lin and Alex should have been stronger without the interferance of all the other males. Instead their relationship was thwarted by her distrust of him when she was the one being unfaithful at every turn. Lily's actions do not build sympathy for the protagonist--she is just annoying! But mostly, the adventures are all explained in a couple pages at the very end. It would have been less abrupt and more interesting if hints about her benefactor had been revealed a bit at a time from one adventure to the next. How could Lily build the compassion needed for the actions required at the end if she knows nothing of the troubles and truth of the old lady's predicament?I cannot recommend it.
What do You think about Pieśń Jedwabnego Szlaku (2012)?
I couldn't finish it. Very unusual for me. Disjointed. I was not invested in the characters.
—Tiffany
poorly written, contrived trying too hard plot, why did I finish it??????
—AprilJean
Not sure if I should read more by this author. Too irreverent?
—sugarpoo
