The Hundred Secret Senses

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for the past 6 years and have not glanced at it. And now I believe that fate had mapped the book's journey somehow - how I'd acquired it and how I've had to wait all these years to be drawn to it. If I had read it back then it wouldn't have been an appreciative read and one that I would have labeled as "dull". This book has left a great imprint in my heart...more

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for the past 6 years and have not glanced at it. And now I believe that fate had mapped the book's journey somehow - how I'd acquired it and how I've had to wait all these years to be drawn to it. If I had read it back then it wouldn't have been an appreciative read and one that I would have labeled as "dull". This book has left a great imprint in my heart and believe because of its journey to me and because of how the paths of the characters intertwined - things happen at the time they are supposed to. Love is our very own inheritance whether we remember it or not. Too many books have claimed that we are reborn time and time again into this world for me not be inclined towards that believe or realisation. Our lives are played over and over again in this world as we repay our karmas and create new ones along the way. Kwan is one of those higher evolved souls who do not forget themselves as they come back in their later lives. Whether as "loyal friends" or as sisters, Libby-ah (Olivia) and Kwan share a much stronger bond than Libby-ah realised, one which Kwan readily rekindled and, perhaps, sacrificed herself for to repay the debt in their previous life where she was part of the reason Yiban and Miss Banner became separated. A beautifully written book that proves to me that regardless of the colour of your skin, your heritage and your believe, we are born with some higher purpose in life - whether we choose to believe in it or not.   hide

Amy Tan is an amazing story teller, I love reading her stories. This one had a slightly different tilt than previous books; a sisters relationship in oppose to a mother/daughter one. But the message was mostly the same, the Chinese American learning to realise the two parts of her psyche and work out who she is and where she comes from. I liked Kwan (the elder Chinese sister) a lot more than...more

Amy Tan is an amazing story teller, I love reading her stories. This one had a slightly different tilt than previous books; a sisters relationship in oppose to a mother/daughter one. But the message was mostly the same, the Chinese American learning to realise the two parts of her psyche and work out who she is and where she comes from. I liked Kwan (the elder Chinese sister) a lot more than the mother characters in some of the other books. And the ending was so sad and happy all at the same time.   hide

....magical ...haunting...and somehow so REAL... like experiencing it personally... was so sorry to reach the end ... just wanted it to go on and on.... beautifully written...easy to read...unforgettable!

Had read only a few chapters before it blew into the lake at the cottage this summer. Still hear Kwan's voice in my head. "Libya" My attempt to dry out the book was futile. I'll have to borrow Kwan's voice from the library and try again.