wotches man Song Silk Road Mingmei Yip
Song of the Silk Road is a novel of finding who you are and all of the avenues open to you. Lily Lin, a writer and waitress, is shocked when a letter arrives stating the has inherited three million dollars, if she meets the stipulations. Lily finds this hard to believe, considering she had to scrape the money together to bury both of her parents and also because she has never heard of this aunt, Mindy Madison.
But eventually the lawyer tracks down Lily in person and she decides to try and meet the terms of Mindy's will - one thousand miles on the Silk Road in China, the same route Mindy took and doing the same things that Mindy did. Some of the things that Lily has to do are really bizarre, and all along the journey, a young man called Alex, whom she refused to travel with, keeps popping up at different opportune times.
The background painted by Yip is beautiful and mesmerizing. So many traditions in China that will really keep your attention. Lily's trip is a journey of the heart, one where she begins to know herself and that of her parents. Lily is a very likable character and the writing is poignant and really captures the readers attention. The difference between China and New York is very prominent and really lends credence to the story. Filled with adventure, romance, suspense and deft, capable writing, Song of the Silk Road is an evocative read!
Song of the Silk Road has everything: adventure, romance, strong emotions, lots of esoteric Chinese culture, and a quirky narrator who keeps the action moving. I have personally traveled the Silk Road and am familiar with many of the places detailed in the book, and it was total pleasure to revisit them through the eyes of the narrator Lily Lin. A great read!
BalasHapusLily Lin is such a strong character and her journey on the Silk Road kept me captivated page by page. This book was written very well (however, I did catch a sentence where Lily was referenced to be wearing "jeans" and the following sentence described her as wearing "pants")and I was captivated by this region of China that I had never heard of. The author draws you into an exotic culture and land, and does a great job of allowing you to visualize the setting. I could feel the dry desert air, I could smell the pungent pickled vegetables and taste the exotic green tea. The love story, although explicit in language in certain parts, captured the heart of Lily Lin. I love that this story was not predicatable and that it had me guessing page by page.
BalasHapusI haven't read a book in a long time and decided to purchase this book while browsing through Barnes and Noble and boy what a find! If you love exotic, adventurous, suspense and a dab of explicit you will enjoy this book!
Song of the Silk Road is a novel of finding who you are and all of the avenues open to you. Lily Lin, a writer and waitress, is shocked when a letter arrives stating the has inherited three million dollars, if she meets the stipulations. Lily finds this hard to believe, considering she had to scrape the money together to bury both of her parents and also because she has never heard of this aunt, Mindy Madison.
BalasHapusBut eventually the lawyer tracks down Lily in person and she decides to try and meet the terms of Mindy's will - one thousand miles on the Silk Road in China, the same route Mindy took and doing the same things that Mindy did. Some of the things that Lily has to do are really bizarre, and all along the journey, a young man called Alex, whom she refused to travel with, keeps popping up at different opportune times.
The background painted by Yip is beautiful and mesmerizing. So many traditions in China that will really keep your attention. Lily's trip is a journey of the heart, one where she begins to know herself and that of her parents. Lily is a very likable character and the writing is poignant and really captures the readers attention. The difference between China and New York is very prominent and really lends credence to the story. Filled with adventure, romance, suspense and deft, capable writing, Song of the Silk Road is an evocative read!
Who of us does not imagine that one day a letter will arrive transforming our ordinary existence by bringing adventure, romance, money... My own dreams frequently have taken me to the fabled Silk Road that connects some of the world's most remote places. So I opened this new book with its luminous green cover with great expectations. I had thoroughly enjoyed Yip's previous two novels, Peach Blossom Pavilion and Petals from the Sky.
BalasHapusI am glad to say that my expectations were fully met. Indeed, I am now feeling the effects of staying up most of last night to finish it.
The heroine, Lily Lin, is living in New York and wondering where her life is going when the letter arrives. At a meeting with a stuffy lawyer she is told that an aunt, whom she had never known existed, has promised her a reward of 3 million dollars if she retraces the aunt's own exploits on the Silk Road.
Yip vividly conveys the sense of traveling along the Silk Road, one of the harshest environments on the planet. She crosses the Taklamakan desert -- the name means "Go in, won't come out" -- and ascents the high Mountains of Heaven.
There is also a love story that begins with Lily been seen by a young many while she bathes secretly in the pool of an ancient palace. Of course many obstacles arise for them. I will not say how this part ends.
There were many unexpected details that I enjoyed: Lily's friendship with a Chinese Muslim woman -- there are many in China but rarely written about -- Lily's "yin eye" -- the ability to see the spirts of the dead, the "upside-down hanging lotus position," what happens with her all-too-married boyfriend, and more that I will not reveal.
I have traveled on the Silk Road myself and can say that Yip quite vividly conveys what it is like to be this place that was once so dangerous it was said that the most common sights along the way were the bones of travelers and their camels.
If you want an enjoyable read that also expands your knowledge of a far corner of our world, where adventure and even the supernatural still lurk, pick up Song of the Silk Road.
I have now read all four Mingmei Yip novels and I give my highest recommendation for readers: please read these four wonderful books; you will be glad you did. Song of the Silk Road was my first Mingmei Yip book. It caused me to read the other three... how happy I am.
BalasHapusThe writing, the story, the romance, and the lessons of China are all 5-Star.
SONG OF SILK ROAD is a breath-taking read that is one of the best I have read so far this year. Lily is a deep character who has the ability to make her way into your heart. This is a fantastic book that goes beyond entertaining the reader. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy.
BalasHapusThis book is a must read! Its very well written and it keeps the reader engaged in what's going on the entire time. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a little adventure.
BalasHapusThis book is enchanting and funny. It is a must-read book. It is full of mystery, adventure, and humor. Mingmei has cute and charming ideas to entertain the readers, among others, making love in the desert....
BalasHapusMingmei Yip's Song of the Silk Road is such an enjoyable, fun and exciting read that I wish the protagonist Lily Lin's adventures on China's Silk Road would never end. I wonder if there will be a sequel. I certainly hope so.
BalasHapusI liked this as an adventure story but I also enjoyed learning about Chinese culture -- philosophy, fengshui, art smuggling, metaphysics and fortune telling, even exotic sex. Lots of beautiful details and insights to savor and mull over. Highly recommended!!!
BalasHapus