Saturday, December 20, 2008

Review: The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee


It is so hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I found it wonderfully written and I was drawn in immediately. The story starts out in 1952 as we are introduced to Claire Pendleton, recent arrival in Hong Kong with her much older husband, Martin. Claire has been hired by the socially prominent Chen family to teach Locket Chen the piano. When the Chen family invites Claire and her husband to a party, she meets Will Truesdale, the Chen chauffer.The Chen family and Will Truesdale figure prominently in this novel from the beginning to the end.

The story then goes back and forth from 1941 to 1953 as the characters are introduced in preparation for war with the Japanese. With the use of flashback mode and differing points of view, we see the growth in the characters and how the war deeply affected them all. Will’s importance is slowly revealed when the reader is taken back to 1941 and the beginning of his passionate affair with Trudy Liang, a young, spoiled Eurasion. Trudy has numerous connections with the Hong Kong community and has a tremendous emotional impact on Will.

Written with exquisite detail as to location, the reader can immerse themselves into the environs of Hong Kong. It is easy to visualize the center with its European, classical style building and yet, not far away, the local market with its narrow alley ways and frenetic activity amid smoky stalls and clamorous noise. I felt like I was walking with Claire as she became familiar with her new home. With Lee's seamless segueing between decades, the character development is tremendous. The characters are so well fleshed out as to emotion and vulnerability, the reader will feel as if they are real. Their emotions and feelings just seem to leap off the page.

Lee unfolds each complex layer bit by bit without missing a beat. When the lives of all the characters come to a point of convergence, the past haunts the present in the many intertwined relationships. Alliances forged during the war will have long reaching consequences long after the war is over. People who had high positions now are brought to new lows, the war being the great equalizer. It all comes down to a matter of survival and the lengths people will go to cope with the horrors and atrocities of war.

There are so many elements in the telling of this story: romance, loyalty, betrayal, secrets, history along with social commentary. The peripheral characters were easily woven into the story with their own interesting sub plots. The surprising twists at the end only add to the enjoyment of this novel. The progression of the story is orderly with no superfluous details and with a wonderful overall plot, this book is sure to be a success. I absolutely loved it. 5*****
Thank you Ms. Lee for sending me an advance copy of your book.
Becky and Mary also reviewed this book if you would like another opinion

14 comments:

  1. What a lovely review Kaye. This sure does sound like a great novel. Another for my list of books I need to read.

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  2. Sounds like a great book. My parents are from Hong Kong but I've never been. Maybe the book would pull me into it as well. =)

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  3. I have this ready to start on Jan. 1st. It's really hard to not read your review. I'll come back and read it when I finish the book!

    Right now I'm having a tough time fitting any reading into my day. Just too many other things to do.

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  4. This sounds REALLY good! Great review. I hope to check out this book soon!

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  5. I'm intrigued now! That is a stellar review...I always perk up when I see 5 stars. :)

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  6. 5***** seem to be few and far between lately but the fun is in the searching!
    It's also fun to see how different books affect people differently. I hope you get a chance to read this one.

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  7. I really enjoyed your review! I read and reviewed this book as well, but I didn't enjoy the story as much as you did, so I had trouble writing this review.

    It always makes me laugh that everyone is looking for something different when they crack the spine!

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  8. I definitely have to read this one now. It is interesting how these books affect us and how we like different things. I like hearing the various opinions and why we feel that way. Nice job!

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  9. Hi Kaye. I finished the book this morning and posted a review on my blog. I really liked this book. I needed a few pages to get in the rhythm of it, but once I did - wow. I'll be thinking about it for a while, I know.

    I notice our style of reviewing is quite different. I enjoyed reading yours. I'm a bit lazy, I'm afraid. I usually just post the book blurb (from the back or inside flap) and then my thoughts on the book. I think I lack the confidence to adequately convey a book's intention, etc. You seem to have it and I'm a bit envious, lol. You did a great job on this review!

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  10. Oooh,thank you, Mary, I blush. Everyone needs to have their own style. I am blown away when I read some of the blogger's reviews and think, why didn't I see that or why can't I write like that? Shakespeare's greatest advice, still applicable today - To thine own self be true. Do what is comfortable for you. I really enjoy your blog and getting different view points is so interesting.

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  11. Thanks, Kaye, for your words and the link. I'm going to host a give-away of my ARC and I'll link to your review at that time.

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  12. I love when authors have the ability to put you right in the scene. This sounds like it would be a great book for the WWII challenge. Would it be okay if I linked to your review on the book reviews page at War Through the Generations?

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  13. I loved this book as well - it's definitely going on my top ten list for this year!

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  14. I read an earlier review by another blogger that made the story sound dull. Your review excited me much more and it will now be back on my wish list. Thanks!

    aksimmo@brainer(dot)net

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