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Summary: A book that must be read!!!
Review: This novel is amazing. Never before had I been so astounded by such fascinating plot and characters; they captured my heart, my 'hundred secret senses', from the first moment on. Amy Tan's magical words linked together the past and the present, back and forth within different lifetimes. Tan surprised me with her powerful imagination and lured me into the mystical Chinese village of Changmien where Kwan and Olivia revealed secrets and fulfilled promises. The book took my thoughts and soul on a heart-stirring journey where I found joy, sorrow, and anger. Its energy is irrepressible. Don't wait! Experience it now for yourself!
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Summary: Amy Tan joins the company of Alice Walker
Review: I read somewhere where Amy Tan said that she disliked Hemingway's writing for its apparent pointlessness and ennui. After reading the Hundred Secret Senses, I say give me ennui any day! Like Alice Walker, Tan has given up any attempt to render visible the stresses and contradictions of American society; instead she opts for fiction that serves as "spiritual nourishment" but is really only outtakes from the CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL series. Thus, the character of Lan, who spends all her time communicating with the dead. How about writing about the living? Tan's use of gross relativism to explain religious and cultural difference (all religions are good! all people are good!) masks any real engagement with cultural difference, in any form, which her first book, The Joy Luck Club, dealt with memorably. Criticisms that Tan's men are stereotypes are unwarranted,also, since no character in this book rises above stereotype.
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Summary: Repaying Old Debts
Review: When Olivia Yee's father is on his death bed, he drops a bombshell--Olivia has a half sister back in China, and his dying wish is for this half sister to be brought to America to join the Yee family. When Kwan arrives, she isn't what Olivia expected. Kwan is older, she's very big, she's loud, and worst of all, about all things american, she is clueless. In other words, Olivia sees her as a real live, walking, talking, embarrassment. What's even worse is that Kwan insists that she has Yin eyes; that she can see and converse with dead people. Kwan's real reason for being here is slowly revealed throughout the book, both in chapters that cover the present and in chapters that look back to what may or may not be about former lives of Kwan's and Olivia's. How all this ties together, while at the same time tracing the peaks and valley's of Olivia's failed marriage, elevates this book to a level above mere storytelling. While reading this book I hated having to put it down, and I hated even more coming to the last page--I wanted the story to keep going.
Rating: 
Summary: You Can Count On Amy Tan For A Good Story
Review: After suffering through three books in a row which were very big disappointments, (Grisham's Runaway Jury, Baldacci's Total Control, and Cornwell's Hornet's Nest) I was relieved to find Amy Tan's The Hundred Secret Senses is as good as her previous books. There is a big difference between a writer and a story teller. Amy Tan is an excellent story teller. She made me really care about the people in her story. They seemed so real, at times I forgot I was reading fiction. I won't hesitate to buy her books in the future.
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Summary: Of hope, love and promises
Review: This is my first Amy Tan novel and as an ethnic Chinese, I approached it with mixed feelings about the East-West theme (which was done to death in the movie version of "The Joy Luck Club"). Thankfully, Amy Tan's first-rate storytelling skills has produced a mesmerising book that successfully combines myths and legends with the underlying contemporary tale of the power of love. The reminiscence of past lives, juxtaposed with events and people in the present, might be difficult to follow in the beginning but patience will pay off handsomely when everything begins to gel like a delightful jigsaw puzzle. This is not a literary masterpiece nor, I suspect, was it meant to be. While Amy Tan manages to weave an engaging tale (and what a tale it is!), her command of the language lacks the subtlety or the sizzle that could distinguish this novel. It is essentially a page turner; pure escapism smoothly rendered and cleverly packaged, in the backdrop of cultures and traditions, into a message of hope (even in death), of promises kept and of the loyalty and love between friends. At that level, this novel is thoroughly enjoyable.
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Summary: A Great Read!
Review: When I began reading this book, I was a bit confused. I was expecting another book similar to _The Kitchen God's Wife_ or _The Joy Luck Club_ (both of which are very good, by the way). This book, however, is entirely different. Though Tan incorporates the same look into Chinese history, this story has more of a mystical twist. Past lives, yin people-- I felt like I was reading some sort of New Age book (though this is much better than any "new age" book I have ever read). Also, seeing how the American beliefs of Olivia contrast with Kwan's Chinese mindset is fascinating. Tan also addresses the issue of American cultural imperialism-- now China's original nature has been corrupted by American desires and capitalism. This is a book that tugs at your emotions, teaches you about Chinese culture, and opens your mind at the same time. HIGHLY recommended to anyone interested in Chinese culture or mystical topics.
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Summary: This is a Fascinating Book!
Review: We are students at Saint Marys School, and have recently read The Hundred Secret Senses, by Amy Tan. In this novel, Amy Tan explores both the real and spiritual worlds of the Chinese/American culture. She successfully connects the ancient Chinese culture with modern day Chinese/American culture. With interesting twists and wonderfully detailed and dialogued stories, readers can really grasp on to the ideas and themes of this novel. The author gives her views of growing up in a modern day Chinese/American home and living with her half sister Kwan. Although Kwan may seem annoying and pesky to Olivia with all of her spiritual interests, Olivia learns to appreciate Kwan and her ways. This novel is a wonderful tool to use to learn about ancient Chinese culture and modern Chinese/American culture.
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Summary: The Hundred Secret Senses
Review: Of all the books i've read so far in my life, this is definitely the best. The book starts from Olivia's childhood and goes on to adulthood, by the time i finished the book, i felt like i grew up with her. I was watching and feeling her impatience with her half sister Kwan. I shared her embarassment of her sister but as i grew up with Olivia, I also shared her guilt and sorrows for her sister Kwan. This book is not only a good story, it's a good lesson. It puts us through all kinds of emotions and brings us on a tour of China. Ever since I read the book, I couldn't stop thinking about it. All the feelings I shared with Olivia seemed to be implanted into my heart, no way to let go. This book is powerful, enchanting, down to earth, real and unforgettable. I think i'll forever be in love with this book.
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Summary: Wonderful depiction of sisterhood...
Review: I really enjoyed The Hundred Secret Senses. I have heard such great things about this book and have to agree. The intertwining of characters and their many lives moved me. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Simon and Olivia and Olivia and Kwan. Wonderful! I can't wait to read The Kitchen God's Wife next.
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Summary: Read it over and over and over.....
Review: I love this story! I've read it so many times now. I liked the Joy Luck Club and wanted to read more of Amy Tan, and read this one while waiting of a copy of the Kitchen God's Wife to be available. I loved it! It is her best! I rate this #1 by Tan, followed by Joy Luck. I LOVE KWAN!
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