Rating: 
Summary: Delicate and Pathetic
Review: Doc Hata's life is one of gesture only, he lacks heart. Lee uses children with dying hearts, heart attacks, surgeons who massage hearts, and much mention of spilled blood to beat this idea into us. We learn that Doc Hata wanted to be a cardiologist but did not have the heart for it after his experiences in World War II. Naturally a man without substance inside will feel like an outsider, no matter his lineage or location. But the experience of being an outsider, of being different, is in itself a profoundly American experience, as new immigrants and generations of non-European Americans have attested. Lee knows this, so he gives us African-American Linc and East Indian Renny, as well as other-side-of-the-tracks Veronica, to show us how outsiders can still have hearts. In the end, Doc Hata puts his money where his heart should be and tries to make everyone happy and everything right. This is his final gesture before he fades his life from our view. Why does he leave town? He says it is because he is afraid he will ruin his family. He leaves out of fear of not being able to live up to the future, so his old fear of living up to expectations has only worsened. My basic problem here is that we are presented with that old stereotype of Asians as highly skilled but lacking heart. I remember people saying Asians were good musicians, for example, but they "lacked feeling." What a tedious theme for a novel.
Rating: 
Summary: An Empty Life is Sometimes Safest.
Review: This is one of those quiet, beautiful books that are easily overlooked. The protagonist is not easily or even necessarily likeable. Ashamed and haunted by his past he attempts to protect himself against pain by refusing to fully engage in life. He denies himself even the experience of happiness so as to escape the possibility of pain. To expose oneself to joy is to risk disaster. Danger lurks in the quiotic nature of emotions; only order is safe because it is predictable.Although it did win one prestigious award that I know of, I expected this book to win many more. Upon reflection I decided that it did ot achieve more popular acclaim because it requires reader involvement. This is not a quick, easy read. The reader must reach into herself so as to know and understand this man. It is well worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Extreme prose; loss of heart
Review: After just finishing this novel, I found myself quickly skimming much of the "emotional" or should I say "emotionless" thoughts and descriptions of Doc Hata. Although much of this was beautiful, imaginative and poignant I found too much of it lengthy and unnecessary. Mr Lee's dialogue and story lines were wonderfully entertaining yet hard to believe such a character would exist with so little inward and outward emotion. How could Doc not bestow great warmth and physical touches to his long awaited adopted daughter. Overall the book was a good read and very emotional although main characters held little (Mary, Liv and Renny exeptions). Mr Lee commands the language with ease yet leaves the reader frustrated. I also feel the end was rushed and not played out to complete the tale of character's lives. I'd recommend the book generously even with the unrealistic persona of the main man.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting read
Review: This book was very interesting,it tells about a man his life in the present and how it was in WWII. The lead character Franklin(Doc)Hata owns a medical shop,that is named after his adopted daughter Sunny. In the story he flashes back to the war and his involvement. I really enjoyed this book,but I found it a little confusing.
Rating: 
Summary: Haunting and Insidious
Review: Chang-rae Lee's 'A Gesture Life' pulls the reader's mind, emotions, and spirit into the snapshot-world of Doc Hata's town, Bedley Run--a typical American berg on the outskirts of NYC. Here, our senses are soothed by the images of stable, normal Americana, and the successful Japanese-American retiree who is comfortably part of that landscape. It's almost a vision of utter serenity at first, but Lee's transcendent prose makes sure that we recognize another truth: beneath all of this security, there is a drumbeat of primordial heartbreak, and a keening sense of loss. Slowly, expertly, without the reader even expecting it, Lee unfolds a tale of immense but elegant grief. He leads the reader through a veritable labyrinth of shocking regrets, brought on by experiences that hide so perfectly beneath the veneer of the main character's 'life of gesture.' The book is astonishing for its lyrical perfection, its poetic structure, and seamless continuity. It is truly a soul work to be savored and conveys a serious lesson about the tragedy of being human. Five shooting stars.
Rating:
Summary: unmoved, except by irritation
Review: Doc Hata is one of the more unsympathetic protagonists I have yet to come across in fiction -- a frigid, passionless s.o.b. Others see him as some kind of tragic figure, like Ishiguro's butler in 'Remains of the Day.' I felt sorry for the butler; I only got irritated at Doc Hata. And I'm definitely bothered by the reviewers portraying him as some kind of Asian-American archetype (though not as bothered as my 'handsome' 6'3" brother suffering from major hangups a couple of reviews down). Puleeze. Lee's prose is always lucid, sometimes even transcendent. But, at least with respect to this character, Lee's writing gets bogged down in wretchedly long, self-indulgent monologues that left me screaming for any kind of dialogue (which Lee does less well). I also agree with those that say that Lee tried to cover way too much ground in one book. I can't blame him for being ambitious, but the story ends up being disjointed and diluted. And, yes, it seems like Lee ran up against some kind of page or time deadline in the end. All sorts of things happen one after another and we're expected to believe in the end that the Doc has some kind of heart after all. Too convenient and certainly not compelling.
Rating:
Summary: Astonished
Review: I thought this book was astonishing and in fact came to the reviews to see what others thought. I was surprised at the discrepancy in views. For me the book was like living another person's life and a very profound and moving experience. I will recommend the book highly to others and will be very curious to see if the experience of those who read it parallels my own.
Rating: 
Summary: A Quiet Reflection
Review: "Doc" Hata, a fixture in the upscale town of Bedly Run, is a quiet man who has led a careful life, spending recent days in rumination of his past. As a successful businessman with many acquaintances, Hata's life has touched people mostly around the edges, neither intruding nor being intruded upon. This is his quandry.As a Japanese soldier, although born Korean, Hata does not see action on the front lines, yet witnesses much violence and death. As a medic, his experience with Korean "Comfort women", euphemistically called "volunteers",especially the doomed "K", shatters his fragile sensitivities. But this young soldier takes little action, inured to his soldierly duties and sense of honor. After many years, towards the last of his life, Hata seeks out his estranged adopted daughter and her young son. He finally begins to understand how the past, as a soldier and then too cautious adult, has damaged his connections with those he loves. He must consider how itmay be possible to mend these precious relationships. The writing is very smooth and quiet, in spite of the horrific wartime experiences, almost like Hata is walking through a fog, trying to find his path. There is a flurry of activity towards the end of the story, when circumstances feel somewhat rushed. Up until that point, Lee maintains a steady pace, moving us gently through this person's life, as he slowly opens his eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Though provoking and insightful
Review: I read A Gesture Life over one weekend and found it very engaging and difficult to put down. I thought the writing was exceptional and the story very intriguing. I had not known what the book was about and was pleased to find a powerful and emotional storyline. As an Asian American, I can relate to the theme of living one's life as a mere "gesture" as opposed to living it fully and more meaningfully. (Actually, that theme is not limited to Asian Americans; but the fact that I am one made it easier for me to relate to the main character.) I offer three somewhat critical comments about the book. First, while I was impressed with most of the writing, I thought that a few of the conversations felt awkward and somewhat artificial. In particular, the conversations between Hata and "K" did not seem very natural, and I could not imagine it in Korean. Second, I wish Mr. Lee had offered more history on the background of Hata (his childhood and teen years) and Sunny (her childhood). I thought this book could have been (and I would have liked it if it were) much longer than it was. Perhaps that would have detracted from the main themes of the book, but in my opinion, it would have given the reader more insight into the characters. Lastly, I didn't quite get the connection between Hata's past and the difficulties that he had in his relationship with "K" and with Mary. I understand the general idea (that his past made it difficult for him to communicate his feelings and deal with his relationships), but it felt as if I missed something more specific and substantial. In any case, I very much enjoyed the book overall, and definitely would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The best read of the year
Review: Heart-piercing. Beautiful, masterful, and sincere. I'd like to offer my admiration and respect to the author.
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