pickA sweeping novel that follows childhood friends Haiwen & Suchi, whose love is torn apart by war. As they each navigate famine, survival, and political upheaval, life moves forward—until decades later, in LA, Haiwen sees his Suchi. Told through dual perspectives—Haiwen‘s story moving backward and Suchi‘s story moving forward—this heartbreaking and hopeful story will stay with me for a long time. The dual narration on audio was excellent. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
One thread of this story goes from the past to the present, and the other from present to past; the effect is like a beautiful tapestry, where all moments of time are woven together. It made me cry more than any book has for quite awhile. Full of longing, full of life, full of love. #BOTM
The Author Spotlight reading group started the Eileen Chang month. First up is her story collection Love in a Fallen City.
The Author Spotlight series is organized and hosted by @HardcoverHearts
Sitting on the back deck of our new place with my « on deck » book pile for the weekend! I am quite pleased with this group, and am very curious about Solenoid. Happy weekend, all!
About halfway through this chunkster - it‘s over 17 hours on audio. I‘m enjoying it so far. The writing is immersive, and the audio is dual narrated. One side of the story being told from present day backward, and the other side being told from the past forward. I assume where the stories meet will hold the choice that altered the course of their lives. ❤️📚🎧
pickI can't help it. He's such a good storyteller. I can't decide the author's view of women. At times, Mai Mai, Mary, Shavon, and Tess seem to be submissive, but they're also the ones who are behind the scenes, making things happen. Just like in Shogun. I was on the edge of my seat during the typhoon. Why isn't this a movie with Sam Heughn as Durk Streun, the Taipan?
#ChunksterChallenge2025 @amiable #petitechunster
#LitsyAtoZ @Texreader
The story is beautifully told from 1947 forward and back to 2008. It starts in Shanghai with both Suchi and Haiwen bound in friendship and love but separated through war. They happen upon each other 20 years later in Hong Kong and 40 years later in LA. The book is rich in language from Shanghainese, Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English - even as an English written story.
Cute little vintage bookend that I found at an estate sale today 😊 📚 🦉
