The valley of amazement by amy tan amy tans fans will find familiar themes in her new novel, the valley of amazement. This 44page guide for the valley of amazement by amy tan includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 15 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. When lulu is tricked into sailing for california during the 1912 revolution, violet is left behind and sold to another flower house, where young girls trade companionship and sex for. Amy tans the valley of amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identity, that moves from the lavish parlors of shanghai courtesans to the fogshrouded mountains of a remote chinese village. After reading the valley of amazement would you recommend this book to a friend to read 2. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. In her seventh novel, set mostly in shanghai as it evolves through the 20th century, she has surpassed herself. The story is set in the early 1900s in shanghai, china and follows the lives of an american mother, lulu, and her half american half chinese daughter, violet.
Reading guide for the valley of amazement by amy tan. Had mother received this one along with her portrait. In the first part of the story, violet tells the story of growing up in hidden jade path, a courtesan house in shanghai that is run by her mother, an. The valley of amazement is her latest colorful description of life in shanghai at the turn of the 20th century. Like many of her works, it deals with motherdaughter relationship and is partly set in historical china. Amy tans new book the valley of amazement is filled. With her characteristic wisdom, grace, and humor, tan conjures up a story of inherited trauma, desire, deception, and. If you could sum up the valley of amazement in three words, what would they be.
Free download or read online the valley of amazement pdf epub book. New york times bestseller the valley of amazement is an evocative epic of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identity from the lavish parlors of shanghai courtesans to the fogshrouded mountains of a remote chinese villageshanghai, 1912. Thats the first rule of the shanghai courtesans in amy tans exhausting new novel, the valley of amazement. The heroine of the valley of amazement, violet, is the daughter of an american madam and a painter. The valley of amazement it said, and below that were initials. New york times bestseller the valley of amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identityfrom the lavish parlors of shanghai courtesans to the fogshrouded mountains of a remote chinese village spanning more than forty years and two continents, the valley of amazement resurrects pivotal episodes in history. For a hefty half of her gorgeous new novel, the valley of amazement, amy tan instructs us in the finer points of life as a courtesan in early 20th century china. Amy tans the valley of amazement explores the world of. Amy tans latest novel tells the story of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identity.
The valley of amazement is a novel by amy tang, a new york times bestselling author with magical writing skills. The valley of amazement by amy tan in fb2, fb3, txt download ebook. The valley of amazement by amy tan the boston globe. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 589 pages and is available in hardcover format. A sweeping, evocative epic of two womens intertwined fa. Please put your comments for the valley of amazement book club discussion questions in the comments area below 1. Amy tans the valley of amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identity, that moves from the lavish parlors of shanghai courtesans to the fogshrouded mountains of a remote chinese village spanning more than forty years and two continents, the valley of amazement resurrects pivotal episodes in history.
The valley of amazement kindle edition by tan, amy. New york times bestseller the valley of amazement is an evocative epic of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identityfrom the lavish parlors of shanghai courtesans to the fogshrouded mountains of a remote chinese village. Violet minturn is the daughter of the american madam of the citys most exclusive courtesan house. Amy tans gift for exposing and explaining human nature burns brightly in this book. As a child in her mothers upmarket shanghai brothel in the early years of the 20th century. Spanning more than forty years and two continents, the valley of amazement transports readers from the collapse of chinas last imperial dynasty to the beginning of the republic and recaptures the lost world of old shanghai through the inner workings of courtesan houses and the lives of the foreigners living in the international settlement. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The valley of amazement by amy tan, paperback barnes. Amy tans the valley of amazement was written in a style similar to her international best seller the joy luck club. The first edition of the novel was published in november 5th 20, and was written by amy tan. The valley of amazement is a beautiful story of separation, hope, and love between a mother and daughter. The valley of amazement is the spellbinding story of violet, a pampered girl raised by her american mother, lulu, in lulus plush shanghai courtesan house. Find books like the valley of amazement from the worlds largest community of readers. The valley of amazement denver public library overdrive.
On the evidence of her new novel, the attempt didnt last. November 9, 20 amy tans fans will find familiar themes in her new novel, the valley of amazement. The mother daughter relationship was interesting to me in the fact that the two lives were so intricately intertwined and their destinies similar. As an american, i love reading these books to discover more about chinese culture. The valley of amazement is the story of three women, bound by blood and betrayal. The story is about violet, a halfamerican, half chinese daughter of the owner of a wellknown courtesan house in shanghai called the hidden jade path. Violet minturn is the privileged daughter of the american madam of the citys most exclusive courtesan house. Goodreads members who liked the valley of amazement also liked. The valley of amazement is primarily violets story, and it bursts at the seams with heartbreak. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are. An excerpt from the novel was published independently as rules for virgins plot summary. Amy tans the valley of amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two womens intertwined fates and their search for identity, that. The valley of amazement book club discussion questions. Her intense and unsentimental new novel, the valley of amazement, is akin to these earlier works but involving the secrets of an american woman who emigrates to china and the sometimes.
The valley of amazement is a deeply moving narrative of family secrets, legacies, and the profound connections between mothers and daughters, reminiscent of the compelling territory tan so expertly mapped in the joy luck club. Rick smolanagainst all odds productions in her first novel in eight years, the valley of amazement harpercollins 20, amy tan has woven an evocative narrative about the profound connections between mothers and daughters, a theme that returns readers to the territory of tans breakout novel the joy luck club. But, as she struggles to understand her heritage, it is violets determination to forge her own destiny that propels this bittersweet tale of family secrets, changing identities and lost love. Take our free the valley of amazement quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. And perhaps above all its about womens fierce wills to survive. For a hefty half of her gorgeous new novel, the valley of amazement, amy tan instructs us in the finer. The valley of amazement amy tan amy tan has long held the title of the queen of the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, at least those of chinese descent. But critics are already saying the valley of amazement was worth waiting for. With these words, violet, the principal narrator of amy tans latest novel, the valley of amazement, begins her story.
The valley of amazement is the story of three generations of women all torn away from each other. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. The valley of amazement is an engrossing read that effortlessly draws you in and captures both the sweet taste of acceptance and the bitter taste of disappointment and resentment with an almost painful accuracy a compelling and emotional read. Did you find the historical facts about the courtesan life to be believable and did you find the very graphic dialogue offensive. This way of life became a way to survive during this period of chinese history. Spanning more than forty years and two continents, the v. Amy tans fans will find familiar themes in her new novel, the valley of amazement. Unlike a traditional narrative, however, the novel doesnt start at the beginning of its story. Author interview amy tan, author of the valley of amazement. Although she believes she is a fullblooded american, violet miniturns life is turned upside down when she learns she is actually halfchinese. The valley of amazement amy tan, 20 harpercollins 608 pp. The valley of amazement is a multigenerational family saga. The book has not just one problematic motherdaughter configuration, but three, each.
247 947 537 1139 1200 1567 194 1195 286 1157 981 644 1104 1193 846 1537 146 13 1090 1140 971 1381 794 924 572 591 714 77 662 1222 548 985 968 1293 443 846 1206