Reviews by Andrea (28)

Andrea 2024-01-10 The Buddha in the Attic

A Large Group of People Becomes a Single "Character"

The Buddha in the Attic

This book deals with the practice of Japanese workers in the US in the period before WW2, "buying" brides from Japan. It follows their stories. I did not find this book particularly engaging even though it was occasionally poignant and very likely historically accurate. I do take my hat off to the author. Trying to turn a group of people into a single "character" is no easy task. Up to a point, she succeeded - at least enough for me to read and finish the book. Technically, it's a masterpiece, affectively, it occasionally tugs at the heartstrings, and historically it covers events that few people know about. I'm not sorry I read it, but I'd class it as being hard work for the reader.

Andrea 2024-01-10 Last Gift of the Master Artists

A Very Long Book of Poetry

Last Gift of the Master Artists

It may be that I didn't give this book enough of a chance. I went halfway, then started speed reading, then gave up. The words are beautiful, but there's only so much poetry I can handle and it's a very long book. It has philosophy and beauty, but what it lacks is a coherent story-line I actually want to follow. I liked the parts I read, but I grew impatient. Maybe this is "my bad."

Andrea 2024-01-10 A Stone most precious

Very Interesting True-Life Account

A Stone most precious

The cultural oppression of the Uyghurs occasionally attracts attention from the press, so it was something I was vaguely aware of before reading this book. Needless to say, it's a sad story. The author describes her life and the increasingly oppressive regime in which Han Chinese (China has many ethnic groups) strive to forcefully assimilate Uyghurs. Her escape to the US and subsequent attempts to raise awareness led to the imprisonment of friends and family. There are things she did that hurt others and which she blames others for - notably, her relationship with her first husband - and the language is noticeably not native English, but it's authentic, gripping, and filled with truths the world is largely oblivious to.

Andrea 2024-01-10 Crossroads

Soap opera. Tried twice. Gave up.

Crossroads

I guess the header says it all. It looked so much more interesting than it turned out to be. I usually finish a book in three days, but three weeks and two attempts saw me giving up to do something else. Then again, someone else may feel differently.

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