The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan is a multigenerational tale that delves into the lives of women in early 20th-century China, primarily focusing on the courtesan life and traditions prevalent during that period. The story follows the journey of Violet Minturn, a young woman who grows up in Shanghai's most exclusive courtesan house, separated from her mother due to a cruel act of deception. As Violet navigates through love affairs, struggles, and misadventures, the novel explores themes of female agency, endurance, mother-daughter relationships, and the changing fortunes of a clever courtesan. Amy Tan's writing style is described as beautifully detailed, bittersweet, and shocking, immersing readers in the rich settings and lively characters of the story.

Characters:

Characters include Violet, a naive courtesan navigating love and identity, Lucia, a complex mother, and Magic Gourd, who provides wisdom and support.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by detailed and evocative prose, but some critique its length and repetition, suggesting a need for more concise editing.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around Violet Minturn, detailing her tumultuous life as a courtesan in Shanghai, featuring themes of love, betrayal, and mother-daughter relationships.

Setting:

The setting is early 20th-century Shanghai, focusing on the courtesan lifestyle amidst significant cultural and political changes.

Pacing:

Pacing is inconsistent, with some sections feeling excessively long or slow, while others engage the reader effectively.

When I was seven, I knew exactly who I was: a thoroughly American girl in race, manners, and speech, whose mother, Lulu Minturn, was the only white woman who owned a first-class courtesan house in Sha...

Notes:

The Valley of Amazement is set primarily in early 20th century Shanghai.

The story follows Violet Minturn, the daughter of an American woman who manages a courtesan house.

Violet is forced to remain in Shanghai and trained as a courtesan after being separated from her mother.

The novel explores themes of identity, mother-daughter relationships, and cultural conflicts.

Violet struggles with her bi-racial background, feeling caught between Chinese and American identities.

The narrative includes a significant flashback about her mother, Lucia's life.

Violet's life as a courtesan is filled with challenges and her search for true love is often thwarted.

The book features a character named Magic Gourd, who serves as a mentor and mother figure for Violet.

The plot includes repeated patterns of poor decisions and tragedies throughout Violet's life.

Both Violet and her mother, Lucia, experience similar hardships in their love lives, often leading to devastating outcomes.

The novel is rich in historical detail about the courtesan culture of that era in China.

Characters often reflect on themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for familial connection.

The book is noted for its length, with some reviews suggesting it could be edited for conciseness.

Tan uses vivid imagery and detailed descriptions to bring the setting to life, though some readers find parts lengthy or tedious.

Reviews highlight that the novel revisits themes from Tan's previous works, like familial ties and personal struggles.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include topics around sexual exploitation, abandonment, violence, familial betrayal, and significant emotional distress associated with loss and trauma.

Has Romance?

The novel contains romantic elements, showcasing both the longing for love and the harsh realities of relationships as portrayed through Violet's experiences.

From The Publisher:

New York Times bestseller The Valley of Amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two women's intertwined fates and their search for identity-from the lavish parlors of Shanghai courtesans to the fog-shrouded mountains of a remote Chinese village

Spanning more than forty years and two continents, The Valley of Amazement resurrects pivotal episodes in history: from the collapse of China's last imperial dynasty, to the rise of the Republic, the explosive growth of lucrative foreign trade and anti-foreign sentiment, to the inner workings of courtesan houses and the lives of the foreign "Shanghailanders" living in the International Settlement, both erased by World War II.

A deeply evocative narrative about the profound connections between mothers and daughters, The Valley of Amazement returns readers to the compelling territory of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. With her characteristic insight and humor, she conjures a story of inherited trauma, desire and deception, and the power and stubbornness of love.

Ratings (8)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (7)

Reader Stats (16):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

greane726

Loved It

4 months

This was a tough read, for sure, but a page turner. It's safe to say that I will NEVER read this again not will I be seeking out any of Tan's other works, but the story was well constructed and well-paced. Authentic details, well-written characters, and a heart rending story all made this book a great effort. It was just SO depressing. Argh.

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The Valley of Amazement

Amy Tan