Review
"Measured . . . Precise . . . The historical backdrop, itself a forceful character, provides a compelling context for this economical story of impossible love."
-Sara Ivry, "San Francisco Chronicle"
"Spare prose adorned with images that linger in the mind . . . In this elegant translation . . . the dreamlike, mesmerizing alternation of voices stands in uneasy contrast to the operatic violence of the plot."
-Janice P. Nimura, "New York Times Book Review
"
"What makes Sa's novel so satisfying is the deceptive simplicity of her narrative strategy . . . We watch in fascination as the terrible secrets of their lives begin to coincide."
-Charles Matthews, "San Jose Mercury News
"
"Shan manipulates the scope of silence with a wisdom beyond her years."
-Elsa Gaztambide, "Booklist
"
"Dreamy . . . powerful . . . this unlikely love story . . . is beautiful, shocking, and sad."
-Jennifer Reese, "Entertainment Weekly
"
"Lovely and delicate as a carved jade flower . . . This is beautiful writing."
-Barbara Hoffert, "Library Journal
"
"Harrowing . . . While exploring epic themes like the loss of innocence and the meaning of honor, it lingers on the tiny, exquisite details of life in a remote, cosmopolitan Manchurian town in the thirties."
-Elizabeth Schmidt, "Vogue
"
"From the Hardcover edition."
Review
“Measured . . . Precise . . . The historical backdrop, itself a forceful character, provides a compelling context for this economical story of impossible love.”
–Sara Ivry,
San Francisco Chronicle“Spare prose adorned with images that linger in the mind . . . In this elegant translation . . . the dreamlike, mesmerizing alternation of voices stands in uneasy contrast to the operatic violence of the plot.”
–Janice P. Nimura,
New York Times Book Review
“What makes Sa’s novel so satisfying is the deceptive simplicity of her narrative strategy . . . We watch in fascination as the terrible secrets of their lives begin to coincide.”
–Charles Matthews,
San Jose Mercury News
“Shan manipulates the scope of silence with a wisdom beyond her years.”
–Elsa Gaztambide,
Booklist
“Dreamy . . . powerful . . . this unlikely love story . . . is beautiful, shocking, and sad.”
–Jennifer Reese,
Entertainment Weekly
“Lovely and delicate as a carved jade flower . . . This is beautiful writing.”
–Barbara Hoffert,
Library Journal
“Harrowing . . . While exploring epic themes like the loss of innocence and the meaning of honor, it lingers on the tiny, exquisite details of life in a remote, cosmopolitan Manchurian town in the thirties.”
–Elizabeth Schmidt,
Vogue
From the Hardcover edition.
