Bookworm

[#1]

Reviewed by the Bookworm

This engaging first book by Lee weaves the tale of two women making their way through two distinct time periods in Hong Kong’s oftentimes turbulent history. The first woman, Trudy Liang, is a 1941 sharp-tongued socialite. The second is Claire Pendleton, a 1952 disenchanted housewife of a British engineer. Their complicated connection is Will Truesdale.

 Pendleton, a bored, languid housewife, who has settled into a loveless marriage, finds 1952 Hong Kong invigorating. She takes on the job of piano teacher for the daughter of the wealthy Chen’s. To Victor and Melody Chen and her friends, she implies the job is “just a lark” to fill her days. In reality, she needs the extra cash. Soon, kleptomania ensues and she begins pilfering small trinkets…a scarf, perfume, a porcelain rabbit.

 The drama deepens when the Chen's chauffer enters the picture. Will Truesdale seems an unlikely candidate as a personal servant to the Chens. His acerbic manner and patchy work hours intrigues Pendleton. After flirty games of cat and mouse, they soon begin a torrid love affair. But a mystery shrouds him. Will, and her emotionally detached employer, Mr. Chen, seem to share a secret history.

 Along the way, the story of Trudy Liang unfolds for readers. It’s over a decade earlier when Will has this complex relationship with a Eurasian beauty. She is charming and insulting, always scheming, and often acerbic to those around her. Six months after Will falls for the elusive Trudy, the Japanese invade Hong Kong. Fear seizes the residents during the occupation, including Will, Trudy and the Chen's. The story, and the decisions the characters make, change their lives forever.

 

About the Author: Janice Y. K. Lee

Janice Lee was born in Hong Kong to Korean parents and lived there until she was fifteen, attending the international school. She then left for boarding school in New Hampshire, where she learned the true meaning of winter. From there, she moved south to Cambridge, MA, where she spent four years at Harvard.  She eventually ended up at the Hunter College MFA Program, which at the time was headed up by Chang-Rae Lee. She spent most of her time in grad school writing short stories, some of which got published, but most of which are still languishing in various states of completion on her computer. She was about to graduate with no definite plans when she received a letter from Yaddo, the artists’ colony, saying that her application for a summer residency had been approved. At Yaddo, she started to organize her thoughts into what would become THE PIANO TEACHER.  It would take her five years (and the birth of twins) for her to complete her first working draft. 

  

The bookworm is currently reading “The Little Giant of Aberdeen County” by Tiffany Baker.

Have you read The Piano Teacher?  What are some of your favorite reads?

[#2]

The Piano Teacher sounds like a wonderful book; you've convinced me to read it.  I noticed in your background on the author that she had the opportunity to study under the Korean-American author, Chang-Rae Lee.  I was delighted to see this and wanted to recommend him to you and your readers.  I read his first book, Native Speaker, which was powerful and memorable.  It has been compared to Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man as it talks about alienation and identity.  It also contains a domestic drama and includes local politics. It is both suspenseful and beautiful.  He has since written many other novels and I've heard that A Gestured Life is particularly good (although I haven't read it yet myself).  I believe that he is currently teaching creative writing at Princeton University.  I would recommend him highly!

[#3]

Thanks for the great recommendation!  I'll definately put this on my "next to read" list.  I love stories that explore other cultures...I find it inspiring, and fascinating, to read how individuals courageously explore new lands, new homes, new languages and cultures, often in a quest to find a better (or different) place in life. Thanks again!

[#4]

The feeling is mutual.  I look forward to learning from your other recommendations, too.

If you like multicultural literature, I have MANY titles and authors to recommend.  Maybe I'd better just start with one for now.  The author is Anita Desai and one of her books is Fasting, Feasting.  She has been called the Indian Jane Austen by many, and she is a remarkable writer.  In this book she deals with a traditional (Asian) Indian family whose daughter stays home with her parents but resents this traditional role.  Another part of the book explores what life is like for this girl's brother who gets to go to America and study there.  He ends up staying with a dysfunctional family in Boston as he learns about cultural differences and new traditions.  It deals with both the literal and figurative meaning of fasting and feasting and is both funny and poignant.  I remember that the first time I read it, it took me a little while to get into the book, but then I was hooked. I pick up on something new every time I reread it, too.  Does anyone else know this author?