- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Flamingo; ExportNZ only edition (2 Sep 1996)
- ISBN-10: 0006550517
- ISBN-13: 978-0006550518
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11.4 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
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Product Description
Review
‘Tan’s women sparkle and sing off the page. I longed for even more of Kwan – a gorgeously feisty portrait of a Chinese-American housewife, chattering as loudly about the mole on her husband’s testicles as the price of pickle-turnips. Kwan is a breathtaking creation.’ Julie Myerson, Independent on Sunday
‘The sheer buoyancy of Tan’s writing, the gutsy humour and the sheer verve of the narrative as it bounces along, from modern San Francisco to nineteenth-century China, is entrancing.’ Iain Finlayson, Financial Times
‘A wonderful story, told with wit, humour and enormous intelligence. Literary prizes and critical acclaim should be heaped on Amy Tan’s head.’ Marie Claire
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.Product Description
Stunning reissue of an international bestseller, from the author of The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter’s Daughter
Olivia Yee is only five years old when Kwan, her older sister from China, comes to live with the family and turns her life upside down, bombarding her day and night with ghostly stories of strange ancestors from the world of Yin. Olivia just wants to lead a normal American life.
For the next thirty years, Olivia endures visits from Kwan and her ghosts, who appear in the living world to offer advice on everything from restaurants to Olivia’s failed marriage. But just when she cannot bear it any more, the revelations of a tragic family secret finally open her mind to the startling truths hidden in Kwan’s unorthodox vision of the world.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book about 3 years ago, and the memories have stayed with me ever since. It moves from past to present day, and keeps you coming back for more. I enjoyed the bits on Chinese culture which has always intrigued me, and the way Amy Tan brings out the inividual personalities of her characters.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To anyone interested in reading this book, or in fact any other work by Amy Tan - I implore you to make this particular title a must have on your bookshelf at home!
It really is a fantastic story, very heartfelt - and Tan has a unique style of writing which draws you effortlessley into the characters lives at all times. If you choose to go ahead and read the book, you will get to know the characters so well throughout the story that, - once you have finished you will probably be left wondering about them still.
It really is a fantastic story, very heartfelt - and Tan has a unique style of writing which draws you effortlessley into the characters lives at all times. If you choose to go ahead and read the book, you will get to know the characters so well throughout the story that, - once you have finished you will probably be left wondering about them still.
Up until eighteen months ago, I had never heard of Amy Tan, and just happened to pick up a book at work that had been forgotten by someone who had left the company. I started to read it on all breaks, and was engrossed so quickly that I even began to focus more on the story than on my work!
There is so much detail in the book that you can tell straight away how much effort Tan has put into creating it. Never before have I read a book where the authors passion shines through in their work to such a fabulous degree.
Although this is a review, I have made a decision not give away any of the storylines themselves, as it really is too good to be spoiled by an amateur book review. All I will say though is that it is set both in modern day America, and also China - and this gives so many great cultural insights to the reader. I honestly learned quite a lot from this book, as well as just plain well enjoying it!
To sum the book up in three words: - Unique, refreshing and intriguing.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Hundred Secret Senses was my first Amy Tan book, and it's left me wanting more.
Her characters Olivia and Kwan quickly develop into the kind most soap writers would envy; the ones that leave you eager to know what they'll get up to next. While this is happening a magical tale effortlessly unfolds. It's a tale which smoothly links modern American ideals and lifestyles with more old-fashioned ideas, all the time hinting at tenious links with exotic and turbulent Chinese legends.
The story abruptly turns itself around, speeding up the pace when the main characters move to China. From then on the links with the past become increasingly powerful with the lives of present day characters forced to parallel some of those in the past.
Electric shock therapy, reincarnation, marriage breakdown and slaughtering chickens are just some of the topics covered on the way to Amy Tan's breathless yet satisfying conclusion.
Her characters Olivia and Kwan quickly develop into the kind most soap writers would envy; the ones that leave you eager to know what they'll get up to next. While this is happening a magical tale effortlessly unfolds. It's a tale which smoothly links modern American ideals and lifestyles with more old-fashioned ideas, all the time hinting at tenious links with exotic and turbulent Chinese legends.
The story abruptly turns itself around, speeding up the pace when the main characters move to China. From then on the links with the past become increasingly powerful with the lives of present day characters forced to parallel some of those in the past.
Electric shock therapy, reincarnation, marriage breakdown and slaughtering chickens are just some of the topics covered on the way to Amy Tan's breathless yet satisfying conclusion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Intriguing mix of realism and fantasy
I knew this book would be funny and warm and also that Amy Tan's speciality is quirky characters and their relationships. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Taz
Four and a half stars!
I brought this about 15 years ago and despite being a real fiction nerd and an avid fan of Amy Tan's other books I never got around to reading this until recently. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2009 by Lukal8
I have read quite a few women authors, honest
Without wishing to sound politically incorrect, sexist, or something even worse I have to say that I think this is probably more one for the ladies than the gentlemen - which... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2008 by Sparky
The Hundred Secret Senses
Another brilliant novel from Amy Tan. I loved the characters of Olivia and Kwan and was eager to learn more about them as I read. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2007 by LindyLouMac
A really good read
This is Amy Tan's best book in my opinion. You feel the emotion throughout. I liked that in the end, Kwan is found to be so wise. I need a 'Kwan' in my life I think!
Published on 11 Sep 2006 by Jo Wright
Excellent Book!!!
This is the first time I've read Amy Tan's book, "The Hundred Secret Senses", and I would say she is an amazing author. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2001
Another Amy Tan cracker!
I've now read all three books by Amy Tan, and this one is just as good as the others. She is a wonderful storyteller, who brings alive the relationship between the Chinese and... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2000 by pouxc@warwick.ac.uk
Brilliant
I thought that this book was excellent and better than The Joy Luck Club. The story between Olivia and her husband Simon is very good. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2000
Fascinating story
Amy Tan is certainly a wonderful storyteller and the character of Kwan is the best in the book. Unlike the Chinese-American storyteller she is full of hope and love and belief in... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2000
I couldn't stop reading it.
How can you justify such a brilliant book? From the first paragraph I was hooked. The way haunting characters and stories from traditional China found their way into the hard... Read more
Published on 29 July 1999
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