Tim

Very Intersting

Lucien and his mother are in a cult. But seeing the cult through Lucien's eyes is different. He is still a child and this is the only life he has ever known. We as readers know where this eventually will lead. We want to see him get out. But, how can he still obeys his mother and elders. But there is that golden age between 12 and 13 when you start to question authority.
Very well written and very hard to put down. I almost put the book down in the first few pages because I really did not like how Lucien was being treated and thought this book was going in a different direction. Glad I decided to stick it out. Since this was an Amazon first read there were not many reviews so I needed to decide for myself. The book is fascinating, sad, suspenseful and engrossing all at the same time. This is not a mystery but a very good work of fiction

Absolutely a fantastic telling of the story of Ai Weiwei's father, himself and China in the 20th and 21st centuries. Helps to understand Weiwei's art and how to interrupt what he has completed. Before reading this book I knew little about his art and more about his activism. But now I see how they go hand in hand.
This almost reads like fiction.
I guess we need to add story teller to Ai Weiwei's list of talents.

At first I was unsure if I was going to like this book at all. I almost gave up after about half way through. But boy that ending was fantastic. I was going to rate this book between 2 and 3 stars but the pace really picks up and does not let go. No spoilers but I think the twist of this book is really great. Plus Mystery and Sci-fi and I think late 19th early 20th century who would have thought up that combo. Look forward to the authors next book

Amazing Book

I cannot believe how much I loved this book. I thought that WWII was a bit overused these days but this is truly not a book about the war it is a story of a journey. One might call it a classic quest story.
But I truly felt involved with these characters. I really felt for them and their journey. I am not sure if this is a true story or all fiction. Either way I thought it was so well crafted.
I literally was emotional all by the end.
The boom has everything, Nazis, cannibals, chickens, etc. I think this book should go down as a classic

Man was this book a chore to finish. I didn't hate it but I really did not like it. This book could have been edited down or broken down to a trilogy.

Many of the characters were very flat and even if the story was semi autobiographical I felt I heard most of the gangster parts in other books or movies. The godfather comes to mind.

The book then became very soap opery when characters thought too be dead came back. Oof. The love story did not capture me either.

I did enjoy the story of when he was a medic in the slums and the people he met there. that is the reason I gave this book two stars rather than one. I have no idea why this book was recommended and why the reviews are so high. I guess you either loved this book or really did not.

I had this on my nightstand for a long time. I had read The Starless Sea and was not impressed. So this one sat. One of my Twitter friends said this one was much better and I should read it. This book is fantasy and a fairy tale and an adventure tale all in one. Well written and quite engaging. One of the best books I read this year

If you are unsure where to start this is a great place. Emmanuel Acho has a real knack for keeping the subject matter with heart and understanding. I most likely would have not read this book if he had not given a speech/talk at work. I was afraid since he was a ball player he would use too many cliches you often hear sportscasters, analyst, coached, etc seem to speak. So I guess I had a bias for ball players. I am glad a read this book. Well worth my time and really gave me some perspective.
Thanks Emmanuel, I will take what I learned here and make it a part of my everyday.

Fantastic. I think this is a great work by Stephen King. Just the right balance of horror, comedy, and suspense. I sometimes think Mr. King does better when he writes short stories and this one is a true winner

Excellent Read

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Really compelling characters along with great story telling. As I was reading I become very involved in these people's lives. Not my usual type of book to read but I highly recommend.

Excellent

When I first started to read this book I was unsure I would finish. Boy, am I glad I continued. This book reminds me of old sci-fi shows like The Prisoner or Westworld. I especially enjoyed the nod to Blink from Doctor Who. Granted this book may not be for everyone but I really quite enjoyed it.

What a fantastically researched novel. The story was good but the amount of detail of Jeju island through the decades paints a fantastic picture. These are the type of historical novels I enjoy reading. The story of everyday people and what they witnessed not only on historical events but day time day. The daughter that is interested in sociology at one point reminded me of myself. Great writing. This us my first Lisa See novel but will not be my last.

Pretty good read

I enjoyed the book. It was a fast read and not overly heavy. Sometimes you just need a light read and this is a good light read.

Fantastic book.

I was not too sure what to expect from the book description. It seemed like it would be a novel about revenge. But what we have is a fantastic character study not only of the women but also the West Texas town of Odessa.
You feel for all the characters in the book.

I can't believe how quickly I finished this book. It definitely challenges your perspective of the justice system in general. Bryan Stevenson us a fantastic story teller that is able to convey his beliefs through different stories. I like the way he intermixed the long story of Walter McMillian along with other cases in between. Some of this was very difficult to read. Very thought provoking. After I finished the book I watched 13th by Ava DuVernay. The documentary really reiterates the book. Bryan Stevenson makes an appearance in the film. I recommend that as well.

Perhaps I am missing the point of this book. I thought the first half was so slow it took me weeks to get through as nothing seemed to happen. The second half was better. I never felt a connection to any of the characters and to be quite honest I really did not care for the main character. I think when I read the description of the book I was expecting something different.
The book was just okay in my opinion.

Felt like propaganda

So this book was written in 1981 and honestly it feels like propaganda. You should enjoy your lot in life and don't try to make yourself better. If you are from the country stay there and life will be less tragic.
That is basically what the book is an almost Shakespearean tragedy when no one gets what they want but gets what they deserve. Is it a masterpiece? I could see people using this in a high school literature course so maybe.
Did I like it? It was okay

These books are so well written. There is nothing about these books that should appeal to me but for some reason just resonate the human spirit. The ups the downs. So much happens in this but you don't want to give any of it away. People are just terrible but you have hope and that is what this second novel gave. A little hope in a hopeless world. I can't wait to start the third book soon!

Not ever book is for ever person. This book was not for me. At all! I read a types of books and I really have no way to describe this book. And unfortunately the further along I got the more disappointed I became. The author came up with a really interesting world but I could not really see how it all fit together. I still have no clue what any of it means. Perhaps I am just not that bright.
Oh well, there are other stories to discover.

Growing up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago in the 80s I found this book intriguing. It is hard to believe that this was going on so close to home but it seems like a world away. I was aware of Boys Town in the city and that was pretty much it. I knew that AIDS was a terrible disease but seeing tit on the news made it almost unreal. This book really put it in perspective for me and that it was (is) close to home.
I usually read books to see a different perspective on life that is different from my own. I am not a gay man but that did not make the reading any less compelling. I think reading a book like this one leads to more compassion and a better understanding. The more I read the book the more I saw it was about love and family whether that family you chose or related by blood.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

I had read The Night Tiger last year and absolutely loved it. This one not so much. I felt it dragged and the conclusion of the mystery was unsatisfying.And the love story made zero sense as it seemed to come from no where. I really like some of the visusals used in the novel and can't wait for Yangsze's next novel. I hope it is more like The Tight Tiger and less like this one.
Kind of feel bad for this review but I finished the book unsatisfied.

All I can say is when is the next book coming out. Love the fantasy/industrial revolution spin. Characters you are familiar with take a backseat to the next generation. Now I need to go back and reread the First Blade trilogy and read the one offs as well. I going to be a good year

The book was good but i think I need to research some of the symbolism as it is deeper than what it appears. It did start out like a lot of other slavery era books but I did like the journey aspects of the book. Reminded me of books like Huckleberry Finn or as the book stated Gulliver's Travels.
I think this book will be one of those that gets better with subsequent readings,
I liked it but did not love it. I would sat 3.5 stars.

I found the book to be just okay. I thought the villain's plan was a bit over the top (but not in the good Bond way).
I did enjoy the character of Sixtine she was a a very strong female heroine ut was still a great Bond woman.
Enjoyed the read but did not love it. It will be forgotten soon enough

I have read so many positive reviews on this book I thought I would give it a whirl. This book was not for me. It felt like reading a transcript for VH1's Behind the Music for a band I had no idea even existed. Way too many drugs and not enough sex and rock n roll. I can see why some may like the book but given amy of the books I have read recently this one just did not hold up. The last book said there are many books that are one book. The one the author writes, the ones each reader reads. I guess I just did not read the same book as eveyone else. And that's okay with me.

This book was really boring. Just not a book I would normally read. Wanted something light but this was very light on story and kind of dragged. I guess it is an okay book for fans I just thought it was an okay version of a Dan Brown or Clive Cussler w hock I think both do better.