The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hundred Secret Senses
Book Review: Reading Critique for school....
Summary: 4 Stars
Amy Tan's novel, The Hundred Secret Senses, is a touching story about two sisters and their family, Chinese culture, fantasy, the supernatural, and stories. We are told the story through the eyes of Olivia. She talks about her older sister Kwan, and her endless stories of China and of how she has "Yin" eyes, the ability to see and communicate with spirits or ghosts. Amy Tan has done an amazing job with this novel and its two main characters. The pairing of Olivia with her pessimistic views on everything Kwan has to say about anything. Her feelings of anxiety whenever she is around Kwan and blaming her for the kids in the neighborhood ridiculing her growing up. Kwan's open heart and ability to heal peoples pain just by touching them. Her endless trust in Olivia no matter how she has betrayed her, always putting her two-cents in Olivia's life and ending marriage, is what keeps you interested and unable to put The Hundred Secret Senses down.
Although The Hundred Secret Senses is a wonderful novel, I found it at times too specific. The main character, Olivia would drag on with her explanation of Kwan's latest story or Kwan herself would drag along one of her stories to Olivia. I don't believe this is a story for teenagers to read. At times it is a very hard novel to concentrate on.
The Hundred Secret Senses also had its strong points. It is full of rich Chinese culture, and old stories of China, of different cultures effects on another culture and being a stranger in a completely new world. The Hundred Secret Senses brings to life a world of fantasy and ghost, keeping the dedicated reader in suspense. I would recommend this novel to anyone with a sense for mystery and fantasy. A person who is dedicated to the works of Amy Tan will enjoy this book. If you enjoyed reading The Joy Luck Club, this is the novel for you!
Book Review: Magical and inspiring
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of Amy Tan's best. When you read it, it is more than entertaining, it is total immersion. A must read.Book Review: The Hundred Secret Senses
Summary: 4 Stars
Awesome book! Amy Tan is such a good writer! Well worth the read!Book Review: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
Summary: 4 Stars
I learn so much about other places, i.e. the west coast, China from Amy Tan's writing. I can feel the thoughts of each person and the use of magical ideas can lead me to the universe. I cannot say I can understand all the meanings but it touches me completely.Book Review: My First Amy Tan, Definitely not my Last
Summary: 5 Stars
I have put off reading Amy Tan until now, picturing warm fuzzy stories about Chinese people... such a cliche I know and one I am now well aware is incredibly wrong -this was a fantastic book.
Olivia is an American Chinese, her father being Chinese and marrying her mother after coming to America. When Olivia is five there is news -Olivia has an older sister in CHina who will be coming to live with them. She is 16 upon arrival and shares a room with Olivia. Olivia doesn't like her much, considering her to be an embarrasing pain. She talks constantly, claims to have 'yin eyes' (she can see and speak to dead people) and loves Olivia desperately. Olivia's mother abandons her to Kwans care, busy with her own life and constant stream of boyfriends.
The main part of the story is when they have grown up, Olivia's marriage has failed and Kwan insists it should not. Through circumstances the three travel to China and go to Kwan's home town.
This is a magnificent book, all the nuances of Kwan's accent is picked up perfectly. Her stories of the yin world and her past lives are fantastic and incredibly interesting. I highly recommend this book.