As an acupuncturist, Lin Ju's work is all about contact, but the life she leads outside her clinic couldn't be more solitary. Thousands of miles away from her native China, from her estranged husband and her daughter, Lin Ju is very much alone in the small English town she must call home.
When Lucy, a young English mother, walks into the clinic and opens her heart, Lin Ju's narrow world is transformed. The two connect immediately, but as their friendship deepens, Lin Ju finds herself in a dilemma that stirs memories of a painful secret: the betrayal of her beloved grandfather, who defied family and tradition to teach her his craft, during the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution.
..... From the outer back cover.
FIRST SENTENCE: Hold the needle as you would a tiger.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Then he leaned forward and kissed my cheek. Watching him now, I realised that the peck on my cheek, innocent in his culture, had sparked in me this flicker of desire that now threatened to engulf us.
A very much hit-and-miss affair for me. Alternating between Lin Ju's life as a herbalist and acupuncturist in England and her childhood in China, I found her 'Chinese' story to be be fascinating, a real informative read whilst her 'English' story I found to be bland at best and unbelievable at worst.
A short read of less than 250 pages, to be honest I would have preferred that the story explored more of Lin Ju's life with her grandfather in China which was much more interesting and filled with very real people instead of the rather flat, one dimensional characters that seemed to frequent her life in England.
Not always believable and far from always making sense, I'm finding it difficult to say anything more about The Touch. Readers who are fascinated by life in China during a time of great change may find something worthwhile in this novel. For myself personally, I think that there are far more interesting novels set in China out there.
The Touch was an ex-library stock read.
16 comments:
The review you presented was fascinating as well.
Good review.
It sounds like and interesting story, yes, particularly the part set in China. I did check my library, but unfortunately they don't have this one.
Goog review. .. I will read it if I get my hands on it..
I appreciate your review, but this one just doesn't really appeal to me.
I don't know if I will like this one, but thanx for the great review.
Yeah...I was sort of wondering about the synopsis.
Thanks for the review!
sorry the English story dissapointed.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
That opening line was interesting. I'm not sure I know how I would hold a tiger!
Thanks for the review. I really enjoy reading about both English and Chinese history, but maybe this isn't the one.
Umm I love the cover PW and yes the story about her life in China seems fascinating. I would still want to read it for that reason alone and also the line did it for me -the memorable moment one :) Its true you know whats innocent and done in one culture is considered intimate in others.
Hey PW, do come over sometime to read some innane topics touched by me here http://budhaaah.blogspot.com/ my other blog
I think this book might be good for a one time read. I am fascinated by China..
I've always been fascinated by life in China or exotic civilizations... that book sounds interesting to me.
Thanks so much for the great review!
Big hugs!
B xx
X
Dear PW ,
I am on a break from blogger because of my kid's exams and two weddings in the family( i am managing the food , venue and the bride's wardrobe...a lot of fun n headaches too lol).I will be back in few weeks.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello.You are wonderful:)
Interesting cover...the layers and color choice are appealing to the eye. Too bad it didn't quite hit the mark for you...happier reading next time!
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