Category: Other Asian 5 out of 5s

Anchee Min’s — Wild Ginger *****

Anchee Min’s — Wild Ginger *****

Set during the Cultural Revolution, Wild Ginger joins the Red Guards to save herself after her father is labelled a traitor and her mother commits suicide. But after she rises in the ranks, she’s faced with a dilemma. Evergreen loves Wild Ginger, but Mao prohibits romantic love. When Evergreen moves on to Maple, Wild Genger’s response is unpredictable.

Janie Chang’s — Three souls *****

Janie Chang’s — Three souls *****

While Leiyin observes her own funeral, she is confused as to why she cannot enter into the afterlife. Her two other souls join her on a journey back in time to solve her dilemma. In spite of her unwanted marriage and domineering father, it is her own actions that she must make amends for before she can enter the afterlife.

Tea Obreht’s — The tiger’s wife *****

Tea Obreht’s — The tiger’s wife *****

While Natalia works in a Balkan orphanage, her mind is drawn back to the recent death of her beloved grandfather. She cannot understand why he set off for an unknown place when, as a doctor also, he must have known he would die. Natalia reflects over the stories her grandfather told her as a child until she discovers a connection that leads her to a greater understanding of him.