A Hundred Flowers by Gail Tsukiyama – 288 pages
Advanced Reader Copy courtesy of St. Martin’s Press
Book Blurb:
China, 1957. Chairman Mao has declared a new openness in society: โLet a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend.โ Many intellectuals fear it is only a trick, and Kai Y ingโs husband, Sheng, a teacher, has promised not to jeopardize their safety or that of their young son, T ao. But one July morning, just before his sixth birthday, Tao watches helplessly as Sheng is dragged away for writing a letter criticizing the Communist Party and sent to a labor camp for โreeducation.โ
A year later, still missing his father desperately, Tao climbs to the top of the hundred-year-old kapok tree in front of their home, wanting to see the mountain peaks in the distance. But Tao slips and tumbles thirty feet to the courtyard below, badly breaking his leg.
As Kai Ying struggles to hold her small family together in the face of this shattering reminder of her husbandโs absence, other members of the household must face their own guilty secrets and strive to find peace in a world where the old sense of order is falling.
My Review: 3.5 stars
Gail Tsukiyama is one of my favorite authors. She is able to go deep inside her characters and express them so well. I find her writing tranquil and peaceful even if there is unrest going on in the story. I loved the protagonist Kai Ying who is holding her life in balance while her husband is away for a letter he supposedly wrote. She is a strong mother, wife, daughter-in-law and friend and this novel delves into all those relationships and interrelationships amongst the characters. Although interesting, I would have liked to know more about the two other women who come to live in the villa, especially Suyin.
Quotes I liked:
It takes the same amount of energy to worry about the worst thing that can happen as it does to hope for the best. Itโs up to you to choose.โ
– โHistory is a series of stories pieced together, he once told Tao. And art is a living record of it.โ- โHave you heard the saying, โThe wise adapt themselves the circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcherโ? It seems Iโve been the pitcher most of my life. Iโve forgotten how to be the fluid.โ
– โSometime the best lessons are in the journey, regardless of the outcome.โ
Review:The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is another excellent example of creating a novel with richly layered characters while comparing Indian and American lifestyles. In this story, Remy returns to Bombay, which he has dubbed the museum of failures, as he sees his native country through the lens of his American life. Heโs there to meet his friendโs niece with the hopes of adopting her baby, as he and his wife are unable to conceive. This innocuous trip turns into a much more complex time as Remy is hit with roadblocks time and time again.Itโs the story about Remy and his mother that really got to me. He lived a life of never measuring up and feeling quite unloved by her. Through their time together in Bombay, he learns critical information that allows him to see her in a more thoughtful and understanding way. This time away has brought whatโs left of his shattered family back together.His trip extends much longer than anticipated and he realizes the value of being home. His American wife Kathy seemed too good to be true, but I did like their relationship, born of trust and equality. Remyโs life as a poet was buried away, but through his visit in India, he realizes the importance of doing work you love, not just working for a higher paycheck.Overall, this was a satisfying read and one that fans of Umrigar will appreciate. Her last book, Honor, along with The Space Between Us, are my two favorites of hers. I havenโt met an Umrigar book I didnโt enjoy!@thrity_umrigar @algonquinbooks ๐: Do you dress up for Halloween? If yes, what's your costume of choice? If not, what's a scary book you've read? ... See MoreSee Less