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Night of Many Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama
Oct. 12th, 2009 12:50 amCovering the years between 1940 and 1965, Night of Many Dreams is the story of Hong Kong born and raised Joan and Emma Lew (15 and 9 at the start of the story) both during World War II, which they spend in Macao, and after. I was initially put off by how easily the sisters fit into stereotypes-pretty Joan is flighty and dreamy, obsessed with Hollywood, and wants to be an actress, while plain Emma is smart, practical, bookish (and only Important Authors are namedropped), and wants to go to school in the United States.
Thankfully, they rise above the stereotypes and they, along with their mother and aunt, paint an interesting portrait of Chinese women and family throughout their decades. I particularly like that their mother, despite clinging to tradition, is largely accepting of her daughters’ choices.
Unfortunately, it never quite managed to charm and engross me the way The Samurai’s Garden did, even though the subject matter seems more geared to me, though I did like it. I think part of it is the The Samurai’s Garden was bittersweet because it was about a time and a place, but the bittersweetness of Night of Many Dreams feels more like “real books are bittersweet at best, but more likely sad and/or tragic.”
Thankfully, they rise above the stereotypes and they, along with their mother and aunt, paint an interesting portrait of Chinese women and family throughout their decades. I particularly like that their mother, despite clinging to tradition, is largely accepting of her daughters’ choices.
Unfortunately, it never quite managed to charm and engross me the way The Samurai’s Garden did, even though the subject matter seems more geared to me, though I did like it. I think part of it is the The Samurai’s Garden was bittersweet because it was about a time and a place, but the bittersweetness of Night of Many Dreams feels more like “real books are bittersweet at best, but more likely sad and/or tragic.”