Similar to reviews here and on Amazon, I just didn't like the characters or the story. I've loved all of Amy Tan's books before this one, so I'm holding out hope for the next book. But Valley of Amazement was all valley, no amazement!

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I gave myself the okay to set this book down about half way through reading it. No doubt Tan did thorough research of this subject, but the book is a continual explanation of how to please a man and very explicit. I could not get past the fact that Violet is 14 when she is thrown into this life. Also, this particular venue may be historical, but the selling of young girls for the pleasure of men is still alive today and I just couldn't distance myself. Tan is known for her mother daughter relationship study, but that hasn't even been addressed at the 300 pg. point. Joy Luck Club and Kitchen God's Wife are my favorite Amy Tan books, this one just disappointed.

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The first Tan book I simply didn't care about. The subject matter, brothels & the capture of young girls to serve as prostitutes, didn't especially turn me off. In fact details of training and the relationship between our young 'virgin courtesan' and her maid were the only really interesting areas. The endless handwringing, obsession with love and feeling loved, exploration of the same old tiresome problems, whining about bi-racial backgrounds, etc made me feel both our heroines were just wallowing in the mud. It did not develop an urge to root for them at all. I also found some of the phrasing and repetition bad writing - not at all like what I expect from Amy Tan. Had to force myself to finish it. Ah well, her others are much, much better!

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3.5 out of 5 stars - "The life we receive is not always what we choose."

I enjoyed this sweeping epic -- the tale of a mother and daughter spanning early 1900s to 1940. Told from the point of view of daughter Violet Minturn, the narrative tells the the story of her early life as a the spoiled, headstrong child of mother Lulu, the owner of a popular courtesan house, and the circumstances that tear Violet from that privileged life. The events that transpire are heartbreaking and relentlessly hopeful as obstacles stand in the way to prevent Violet's search for love and happiness as a half-American, half-Chinese girl, then woman, in Shanghai. She endures many false loves, disrespect, and losses through the years after her mother seemingly abandons her.

Although the book is long, I found many parts of it so fascinating. The historical detail is obviously well-researched and I loved reading about the life of women in that time and setting.
I felt the ending was a bit too neatly tied up, and had some unanswered questions (such as what became of Teddy??) but still was left satisfied by the conclusion. I'd recommend it for anyone who loves a good historical novel set in China.

Thank you to Goodreads for the complimentary copy.

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Having enjoyed Amy Tan's previous novels, The Joy Luck Club and The Hundred Secret Senses, I was disappointed by the shallowness of the characters and the lack of depth in the relationship between mothers and daughters depicted in this one.

I was turned off from the start by the selfish and self-centered mother, the very unpleasant child Violet, and the "women are chattel" attitude portrayed in historical Chinese society. Every character seems to be selfish and interested only in his or her own needs and desires. I kept on reading, thinking the characters would evolve or become more likable, but was disappointed. And the title of this novel - was this supposed to be a veiled reference to a woman's vagina? I couldn't help but wonder as each female character seemed to use and depend on it as her only available power.

Ms. Tan writes for over 400 pages in the child's voice as she grows up in Shanghai and becomes a woman. The lurid and brutal details of her life could have been shortened by 200 pages without losing any character or plot development. She then spends about a hundred pages in the mother's voice, from her teenage years to her older age, where we at last receive some idea of her motivation. The last fifty pages of this novel contain a "Hollywood" ending that is sickeningly sweet, and just unbelievable.

I wish I had done as other reviewers said, and just put this book down, but I kept reading due to my previous experience and the reputation of the author.

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A richly detailed book that takes you on a historical journey with a girl who grows up and becomes a woman in Shanghai. The book was long, but I enjoyed every moment. At times, the ups & downs in her life were a bit much, but the book had a satisfying and emotional ending.

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