I just finished Jean Kwok's The Leftover Woman and feel utterly inadequate to write a review. I'm speechless. To say the book is brilliant is to barelI just finished Jean Kwok's The Leftover Woman and feel utterly inadequate to write a review. I'm speechless. To say the book is brilliant is to barely touch the surface. This book works on so many levels. From a plot that--I won't say keeps you guessing because the shocks and surprises come so fast and hard there's little time to sit and guess. At least, not at the speed I turned the pages.
It's a superb thriller, a heart-wrenching story of mother-love, a brutal expose of racial discrimination and gender bias, a social condemnation of the one-child policy in China, and for me, as a writer, a deeply satisfying peek into the publishing world. It's a master work of unintended consequences and a fast-paced emotional thrill ride.
Ok, I lied. Clearly I did have something to say.
Normally, at this point in my review, I'd say to read this book if...and list three reasons someone might like it. But truly, whoever you are, read this book....more
Women pilots!! Historic air race!! Hawaiian islands!!
This is the second book I've read by Sara Ackerman, and I liked it even more than the first. I liWomen pilots!! Historic air race!! Hawaiian islands!!
This is the second book I've read by Sara Ackerman, and I liked it even more than the first. I live in Hawaii and love books set here, but anyone would enjoy this story of two women fighting to become the best versions of themselves.
The alternating timelines keep the reader engaged and constantly turning pages to get back to whichever character is waiting in the wings. Knowing the story is based on true events made the historical elements significant. Sara Ackerman has written a fun, exciting, immersive, suspenseful, and relevant story of how we learn to create meaning in our lives, even when the odds are against us.
Her characters are fully developed and compelling. This is a women's fiction book and so much more....more
Overall, I loved this book, and the concept was fabulous. It took me a little longer than expected before it really pulled me in, but once it did, I cOverall, I loved this book, and the concept was fabulous. It took me a little longer than expected before it really pulled me in, but once it did, I couldn't put it down....more
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