Peony in Love

Peony in Love by Lisa See

Finished May 23rd, 2008

Rating: 7/10

2008 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge #2



From the Publisher
For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, these lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic opera, a live spectacle few females have ever seen. Like the heroine in the drama, Peony is the cloistered daughter of a wealthy family, trapped like a good-luck cricket in a bamboo-and-lacquer cage. Though raised to be obedient, Peony has dreams of her own.

Peony’s mother is against her daughter’s attending the production: “Unmarried girls should not be seen in public.” But Peony’s father assures his wife that proprieties will be maintained, and that the women will watch the opera from behind a screen. Yet through its cracks, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man with hair as black as a cave–and is immediately overcome with emotion.

So begins Peony’s unforgettable journey of love and destiny, desire and sorrow–as Lisa See’s haunting new novel, based on actual historical events, takes readers back to seventeenth-century China, after the Manchus seize power and the Ming dynasty is crushed.


The story took a turn I was not expecting at all and at first I really didn't like the turn it took. As the story progesses I started to appreciate where the author takes the story. The book is rich in Chinese traditions and customs which I found fascinating. While it isn't as good as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, it is still a solid book and I rated it as good.

Suite Francaise

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

Finished April 10, 2008

Rating: 8/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #8



It is very difficult to rate this book given it is unfinished as the author only finished 2 out of the 5 parts of the book. The author wrote the book during World War II and never had a chance to finish it as she was sent to one of the concentration camps and died shortly after arriving. From what I did read I enjoyed and based on this would have to assume that if the author had a chance to finish the book I would have liked the subsequent parts and ending.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Finished March 12th, 2008

Rating: 6/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #6

The Constant Princess

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

Finished September 2nd, 2007

Rating: 8/10

Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge Book #2




From the Publisher
Daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, Katherine has been fated her whole life to marry Prince Arthur of England. When they meet and are married, the match becomes as passionate as it is politically expedient. The young lovers revel in each other's company and plan the England they will make together. But tragically, aged only fifteen, Arthur falls ill and extracts from his sixteen-year-old bride a deathbed promise to marry his brother, Henry; become Queen; and fulfill their dreams and her destiny.

I was expecting great things from this author as I have read numerous book reviews and all highly recommend her books. It started off a little slow but gradually picked up. I have no real insights to share about this book, just that it was a very enjoyable read.

Love in the Time of Cholera

Love in the Time of Cholera
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Finished April 14th, 2007
Rating: 6/10
Decades Challenge Book #3 (1980s)




My favourite romantic movie is Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The book Love in the Time of Cholera plays a central role in the movie and my husband bought me this book and gave it to me on our Wedding Day last year since I love the movie so much. I added it as one of my books for the Decades Challenge so it would give me some motivation to read it since I hadn't yet gotten around to reading it. To be honest I was a little scared to read it as I didn't think I would enjoy it and I really wanted to like it.

The book takes place in South America and tells the story of a young couple in love which then turns to an unrequited love when Fermina Daza chooses to marry another man. Florentino Ariza is left patiently waiting for her to return his love during her marriage and must wait over 50 years until he can finally declare his love again for her.

There were parts that I really enjoyed and other parts not so much. I know there are many people out there that love Marquez's writing style however I find that there is just not enough dialogue for me. I could not read this book for long stretches at a time as I would find myself losing my concentration so it took me a bit longer to finish it than normal.

All in all I did enjoy it and I appreciated the love story and I am glad I read it however I had to dock points for the parts where I lost interest.