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Rating: 
Summary: Chinese Culture
Review: I have to say that this book greatly described how the Chinese Revolution affected the people and the country in general. I also have to say that this book is better appreciated if you know about the revolution IN DETAIL. I also have to make a comment that I don't think the people who read the previous reviews knew much about what happened in China in the early 20th century. The compassion in the book is real and the events more. I read this book at the beginning of 8th grade...which means I read it before I turned 14 and I think this novel deserves better appreciation than people gave it.
Rating: 
Summary: ok, let us play up the stereotypes just a little more...
Review: I'm surprised that Bette Bao Lord is considered a distinguished writer because her writing lacks cultural authenticity and creativity. All she does is harp on old and all too played-out stereotypes. Any reader who can manage to follow the grossly contrived and fairytale-like coincidence full plot till the end will feel like they've just wasted their eyesight and time on an all too long book that could have ended about 250 pages earlier. I don't think i'll be picking up another one of her books again.
Rating:
Summary: a true story of friendship
Review: It is a love stories with many twists and turns. The story is of lasting friendship but is very tragic. The characters were well developed that created a realistic atmosphere. This novel is accurate in depicting the "Liberation" of China. I would recommend this book for any one who is a fan of historical fiction. Beautifully written.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: It might be judged sentimental, perhaps even labelled wooden and contrived. But I found it nonetheless to be a great read. Bette Bao Lord manages to create an emotional universe in which her characters are not only believable and their fates compelling, but also tells a story which is touching in the way good stories should be.
Rating:
Summary: I would like to give the book no stars, but
Review: it's just not an option. I was surprised to learn that Ms. Lord lived in China at all since her work reveals such a shallow understanding of Chinese people. For a person born and lived in China, the plot of this novel is anything but plausible. Reading it was like watching an old Hollywood movie with static and distorted characters who are supposedly Asian. Just because an author looks Asian doesn't mean that she understands the culture. Being Chinese -- or a member of any other enthnic group -- is not a quality of appearance but of knowledge and experience. Ms. Lord seems to have neither....
Rating:
Summary: Dive into Chinese Culture
Review: Ms Lord presents a wonderful story of the unknown China at its time of cultural disrupture in a comprehensive way, especially for Non-Asian readers.
The only criticism is, firstly, the plot of the story seems rather constructed and out of place with the move of the last remaining heir to the United States. Secondly, partially a richer description of the characters would have helped to better distinguish between East and West.
Nevertheless, her book opens a fascinating window to peep into the Middle Kingdom from early this century to the present from your armchair.
Karin Jork, MBA, M.A.(Int'l Relations, USC)
Rating: 
Summary: one tragic chinese novel
Review: well in the first place, i'm not chinese so i can't react to how 'chinese' her novel is. this is one of the few novels that i've sworn not to read again not because it was ugly... but because it made me cry. i don't like crying and would rather smile and smile and smile than cry. but this novel suceeded in doing that. it is very tragic and a good story of friendship. highly recommended for those who want to shed a few tears...definitely it's not for me.
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