The Girl With Ghost Eyes
M. H. Boroson
ISBN: 9781940456362
Haunting story of a magical Chinatown during the Chinese Exclusion Act days.
Read December 2015
I'm torn. I enjoyed this story, but once I figured out the author was male, it made me feel just a little bit squicky. There's a lot to unpack here in terms of cultural and gender roles, and internalized racism and sexism, and the juxtaposition of a very traditional YA sort of tentative girl-power heroine of color with a white male author was a little offputting. I'm not sure if that says bad things about me, or about our culture, to be totally honest, because the book was really quite good, and the Author's Note seemed to indicate that care was taken with the language and the customs represented.
All that aside, this was a rollicking good ghost story, and I really enjoyed every minute of it. The nasty creepy ghosties, the relentless focus on "face" and reputation, the tensions between the old ways and the new, between China and America, between folkways and revolvers, all made for a tense and exciting story. Characters were vibrant, the plot was juicy and twisty without being unnecessarily convoluted, and our main character was flawed, desperate, and resourceful. Also I want to be a Buddist were-tiger in my next role-playing game, because YES PLEASE.
Fascinating, interesting, and a rocking good read from start to finish.
Showing posts with label Chinese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese. Show all posts
Friday, January 29, 2016
Friday, September 18, 2015
New Arrival: Picture Book: The Emperor and the Kite, Jane Yolen & Ed Young
A very pretty new arrival today, in the form of a lovely collaboration between the very talented Jane Yolen and the equally talented Ed Young.
The Emperor and the Kite
Jane Yolen, illustrated by Ed Young
ISBN: 9780399214998
Young's colorful and precise "papercut" artwork counterpoints Yolen's savvy and streamlined phrasing.
This is in the form of a Chinese fable, but I don't know if it actually is. I do know that this particular story is older, and this is a newly-released edition with updated (and absolutely stunning) artwork.
Our Emperor has strong and able sons, and they are like the suns in the sky. He also has beautiful and proper daughters, and they are like the moons in the night. He has (but has pretty much forgotten) one final small girl child, who is young and small and quiet. When hardship falls upon the Emperor, his lauded sons and beloved daughters weep and mourn for his dire fate (from a safe distance, of course), but the youngest actually gets up and does something for him.
Sweet and pat, of course, but that's a fable for you.
The Emperor and the Kite
Jane Yolen, illustrated by Ed Young
ISBN: 9780399214998
Young's colorful and precise "papercut" artwork counterpoints Yolen's savvy and streamlined phrasing.
This is in the form of a Chinese fable, but I don't know if it actually is. I do know that this particular story is older, and this is a newly-released edition with updated (and absolutely stunning) artwork.
Our Emperor has strong and able sons, and they are like the suns in the sky. He also has beautiful and proper daughters, and they are like the moons in the night. He has (but has pretty much forgotten) one final small girl child, who is young and small and quiet. When hardship falls upon the Emperor, his lauded sons and beloved daughters weep and mourn for his dire fate (from a safe distance, of course), but the youngest actually gets up and does something for him.
Sweet and pat, of course, but that's a fable for you.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Tuesday Storytime: Fourth of July
This was supposed to be a "vacation week" for Summer Programming, because of the coincidence of the holiday weekend and the American Library Association conference in San Fran last weekend through Wednesday.
However, I had a pile of families turn up (which I have to be honest, I sort of expected) so I did a short Fourth of July program with only one book.
Apple Pie 4th of July
Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
ISBN: 015202543X
Comic-book stylings for the characters, and minimalist backgrounds focus attention to the story.
Our narrator is a young daughter of a family-owned chinese take-out and quick-stop corner store. She laments that they are open every day of the year except Christmas (even on the Fourth of July!) when obviously everyone knows that no one eats Chinese food on the Fourth of July! Her certainty is assured and a bit overplayed, as the ending of course has happy revelers enjoying their Chinese food, and everyone retreating to the rooftops to enjoy the fireworks shows. A great short course in tone and language and expectations.
Next week, back to heroes!
However, I had a pile of families turn up (which I have to be honest, I sort of expected) so I did a short Fourth of July program with only one book.
Apple Pie 4th of July
Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
ISBN: 015202543X
Comic-book stylings for the characters, and minimalist backgrounds focus attention to the story.
Our narrator is a young daughter of a family-owned chinese take-out and quick-stop corner store. She laments that they are open every day of the year except Christmas (even on the Fourth of July!) when obviously everyone knows that no one eats Chinese food on the Fourth of July! Her certainty is assured and a bit overplayed, as the ending of course has happy revelers enjoying their Chinese food, and everyone retreating to the rooftops to enjoy the fireworks shows. A great short course in tone and language and expectations.
Next week, back to heroes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)