Under Fishbone Clouds in Retro Chapter Chicks

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Sep 04, 2017 Book Concierge rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: china, culture, concierge, library, social-commentary, love

From the book jacket: (This) is a universal love story, a family saga, and a journey through Chinese history, myth, and culture. Following a young Chinese couple as their love grows, and is tested, during Mao’s Cultural Revolution, this debut novel provides a personal glimpse into the birth of modern China.

My reaction:
I’ve had this debut novel on my tbr since it was first published in 2010. I was intrigued by the love story coupled with 20th Century Chinese history. And I loved that part of th From the book jacket: (This) is a universal love story, a family saga, and a journey through Chinese history, myth, and culture. Following a young Chinese couple as their love grows, and is tested, during Mao’s Cultural Revolution, this debut novel provides a personal glimpse into the birth of modern China.

My reaction:
I’ve had this debut novel on my tbr since it was first published in 2010. I was intrigued by the love story coupled with 20th Century Chinese history. And I loved that part of the book. Jinyi is a hero whose experiences are far different than anything I’ve gone through, but whose character is universal. He embodies resilience, determination and love for his wife and family. Yuying grows from the somewhat spoiled eldest daughter of a “bourgeoise” restaurant owner to a humble, devoted and fierce wife and mother. Despite all they go through they remain steadfast in their love and never give up hope of reconciliation during the times they must be apart.

The format Meekings used to tell this story, however, did not resonate with me. He has the Kitchen God narrate the story. The Jade Emperor has challenged the KG to fathom the intricacies of the human heart, so the KG decides to follow this couple from their courtship to their old age. Well that’s not completely out of line; I’ve certainly read and enjoyed other books with a similar omniscient narrator. However, Meekings has the Kitchen God frequently interject his own story, his conversations with the Jade Emperor, and various Chinese folk tales. I found these to be completely unnecessary disruptions to the main story arc. Of course, if he were referring to Western fairy tales or folk tales, he might have been able to simply mention “Cinderella” or “Chicken Little” and I would have instantly understood the reference. Not the case with traditional Chinese folk tales, so I understand why Meekings would feel he has to give us the full story. Still, I found it distracting and thought it interrupted the story arc.
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Sep 16, 2015 Sharmon marked it as to-read

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Feb 01, 2022 Amber K marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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