Reviews
Lee paints her story in broad, effective strokes, evoking vivid images. The book's sobering refrain--that there is 'nowhere to hide' from the tragedy of life--plays gracefully throughout the narrative., "Remains endearing and sensitive in its portrayal of the delicate relationships of the protagonists while scathingly indicting the revolution and its effect on the art and culture of China. . . . A refreshing divergence from the often redundant offerings in the world of Western literature." -- Seattle Herald "A compelling story . . . made all the more so by sharp dialogue and disturbingly vivid description. Evenly paced and with a deft touch for the intricacies of human relationships, it's the quintessential epic romance." -- AsiaWeek "Has the sweep and pang of a novel that keeps you up reading till dawn, then lives in your dreams." -- Time "Lee paints her story in broad, effective strokes, evoking vivid images. The book's sobering refrain--that there is 'nowhere to hide' from the tragedy of life--plays gracefully throughout the narrative." -- Virginia Pilot and Star Ledger "The story is one of unrequited love and betrayal. This book should be consumed like a cultural feast." -- Stuff magazine, A compelling story . . . made all the more so by sharp dialogue and disturbingly vivid description. Evenly paced and with a deft touch for the intricacies of human relationships, it's the quintessential epic romance., The story is one of unrequited love and betrayal. This book should be consumed like a cultural feast., Remains endearing and sensitive in its portrayal of the delicate relationships of the protagonists while scathingly indicting the revolution and its effect on the art and culture of China. . . . A refreshing divergence from the often redundant offerings in the world of Western literature.
Synopsis
"Has the sweep and pang of a novel that keeps you up reading till dawn, then lives in your dreams." -- Time Beginning amid the decadent glamour of China in the 1930s and ending in the 1980s in Hong Kong, this brilliant novel, which formed the basis for the award-winning movie, is the passionate story of an opera student who falls in love with his best friend, and the beautiful woman who comes between them., "Has the sweep and pang of a novel that keeps you up reading till dawn, then lives in your dreams." --Time Beginning amid the decadent glamour of China in the 1930s and ending in the 1980s in Hong Kong, this brilliant novel, which formed the basis for the award-winning movie, is the passionate story of an opera student who falls in love with his best friend, and the beautiful woman who comes between them.