The Kitchen God's Wife
Published on 4. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
432 pages
978-0-00-726836-8 (ISBN)
Description
A stunning reissue of the international bestseller, from the much-loved author of 'The Joy Luck Club' and 'The Bonesetter's Daughter'.
Pearl Louie Brandt has a terrible secret which she tries desperately to keep from her mother, Winnie Louie. And Winnie has long kept her own secrets - about her past and the confusing circumstances of Pearl's birth. Fate intervenes in the form of Helen Kwong, Winnie's so-called sister-in-law, who believes she is dying and must unburden herself of all falsehoods before she flies off to heaven. But, unfortunately, the truth comes in many guises, depending on who is telling the tale...
Thus begins a story that takes us back to Shanghai in the 1920s, through World War II, and the harrowing events that led to Winnie's arrival in America in 1949. The story is one of innocence and its loss, tragedy and survival, and most of all, the enduring qualities of hope, love and friendship.
Pearl Louie Brandt has a terrible secret which she tries desperately to keep from her mother, Winnie Louie. And Winnie has long kept her own secrets - about her past and the confusing circumstances of Pearl's birth. Fate intervenes in the form of Helen Kwong, Winnie's so-called sister-in-law, who believes she is dying and must unburden herself of all falsehoods before she flies off to heaven. But, unfortunately, the truth comes in many guises, depending on who is telling the tale...
Thus begins a story that takes us back to Shanghai in the 1920s, through World War II, and the harrowing events that led to Winnie's arrival in America in 1949. The story is one of innocence and its loss, tragedy and survival, and most of all, the enduring qualities of hope, love and friendship.
Reviews / Votes
'In this remarkable book Tan manages to illuminate the nobility of friendship and the necessity of humour. Give yourself over to the world she creates.' New York Times'Once again this wonderful novel has extended experience. There is something dizzyingly elemental about Tan's storytelling; it melds the rich simplicities of fairytales with a delicate lyrical style.' Sunday Times
'Tan is a prodigal with her talent. She weaves a dazzling web of unfamiliar colours, smells, tastes and landscapes.' Sunday Telegraph
'Amy Tan writes with passion and humour, making East and West mutually more comprehensible.' Daily Mail
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
265 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-726836-8 (9780007268368)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Additional editions
Person
Amy Tan is the author of five critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling novels. Her first novel, 'The Joy Luck Club', was nominated for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award and was a recipient of the Commonwealth Gold Award. 'The Joy Luck Club' was also adapted into a feature film in 1994. Her subsequent novels are 'The Kitchen God's Wife', 'The Hundred Secret Senses', and 'The Bonesetter's Daughter' and 'Saving Fish from Drowning'. She lives in San Francisco and New York.