What an enjoyable book. Almost 600 pages but I didn't want it to end. AMY TAN told the story of Violet's life - a young girl in Shanghai who was forced into a life as a Courtesan. I had no idea before this book that a COURTESAN (a prostitute, especially one with wealthy or upper-class clients) and a CONCUBINE ((in polygamist societies) a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives) were two different roles. I also didn't know that men in China in the early 1900's were polygamists.
This young girl, Violet had sheer determination, which drew me in immediately and kept me intrigued. And as my friend Lisa looks for, it has a "tidy ending".
A few excerpts that will give you a taste for why I enjoyed this book:
Page 4
Mother gave her to me when I told her I wanted a friend. The cat had once belonged to a pirate, she said, who named her Carlotta after the Portuguese king's daughter he had kidnapped. No one else had a pirate's cat, whereas anyone could have a friend. A cat would always be loyal, unlike a friend. Mother said she knew that for a fact.
Page 31
I had forgotten. No one celebrated birthdays in the house. It was not a Chinese custom. ......I was now eight, no longer the innocent little girl who trusted her feelings. I had once expected happiness and lately had received only disappointments, one after the other. I now expected disappointment and prayed to be proven wrong.
Page 114
How can a woman so smart become so foolish? It is a weakness in many people - even the richest, the most powerful, and the most respected. They risk everything for the body's desire and the belief they are the most special of all people on earth because a liar tells them so.
Page 115
"Only Americans think they have rights," Magic Gourd said. "What laws of heaven give you more rights and allow you to keep them? They are words on paper written by men who make them up and claim them. One day they can blow away, just like that."
Page 205
"Accept love when it's offered, Violet. Return love and not suspicion. Then you'll receive more."
Page 423
"The world does not care for the woes of another when they have their own," she said.
Page 465
"You nearly froze your little bum," she said. "What foolish things we endure for love."
I stiffened. What was she saying?
She patted my back. "I have done it many times, to my detriment, but never to my regret."
Page 555
"He's a good man," she said. "Considerate. The best life you can have as you get into old age is good food, good teeth to eat it with, and few worries when you go to bed at night. A good husband is extra and can vary whether the number of worries you have is more or less. Mine are less."
Joan
I love the excerpts you chose, Joan. They make me want to read the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marjie. I don't like to "spoil" a book for others with any clues about the story, but I do like to share some excerpts to give you a feeling for the writing style. As I read a book I bookmark phrases the hit me in some way.
DeleteI really enjoyed this book. Easy to put down and pick up again and the story stuck with me during the day. She made reading 600 pages (ok, it's only 587 pgs) a pleasure. :)
Oh! My favourite Amy Tan book is The Bonesetters Daughter. Have you read it? Beautiful, though much shorter! I think I might have to add this one to my (ever-growing) list of want to reads. Thanks for the tip. x
ReplyDeleteKate, this was my first Amy Tan book. You've added this one and I'll add "The Bonesetters Daughter" to MY ever-growing list........ thank YOU for the tip!!
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