A Certain Smile [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Judith Michael (Author), Mary Beth Quillin (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2000

A bittersweet story of a perfect but impossible love, set against the teeming, complex energy and hidden dangers of contemporary China. Miranda Graham, a clothing designer and the widowed mother of two teenagers, travels to China to work with the factories that will produce her designs. Sheltered, uncertain of herself, Miranda has always stayed close to her parents and her home. At first overwhelmed by the chaotic foreignness of China, she soon discovers what she never expected or would have believed possible: a pasionate, all-consuming love. Yuan Li, son of a Chinese mother and an American soldier, had his family turned upside down by the Cultural Revolution. Now, in the new China, he owns a large and successful construction company. What begins as a friendship based on curiosity and attraction soon blossoms into a love affair passionate enough to topple the cultural wall that divides them. They spend every available moment together until the realities of China - an intrusive government, corrupt businessmen, and Li's wildly ambitious son - test their love in the crucible of politics, nationality, and family loyalties.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Though Miranda Graham is a savvy, successful fashion designer, she's never set foot outside the U.S. As a widow and a mom, she has cleaved to the familiarity of her Boulder, Colorado, home. So when business sends her to China, Miranda reels from profound culture shock. Luckily, kind Yuan Li takes the frightened visitor under his wing and offers to be her tour guide.

As Miranda adapts to chopsticks and crowded streets, she finds Li has appealing qualities beyond his perfect English and natural hospitality. A Renaissance man as well as a businessman, Li opens Miranda's heart to the countless treasures of China. With newfound courage, Miranda finds herself falling into deep, passionate love with this man whom she hardly knows. The looming deadline for her return and the threatening disapproval of a fading communist state force these lovers to make the most of their glorious time together.

Bestselling author Judith Michael has situated this familiar midlife coming of age tale in a truly unique location. Colorful descriptions of Chinese culture and atmosphere will certainly infect some readers with the travel bug. But while Miranda's character is well-developed and likable, Li's borders on stereotypical, and at times the threats to their relationship seem artificial. However, in the context of a "perfect love, imperfect world" story, these faults are entirely forgivable, and the overall story line is very entertaining.--Nancy R.E. O'Brien --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

An exotic locale, a hint of danger, a dollop of fashion, a soup?on of Confucian philosophy and a big dose of clashing cultures add up to tasty if unoriginal chop suey in the latest novel from the bestselling husband and wife writing team. Miranda Grant, a 40-year-old widow with two adolescent children, travels from her home in Boulder, Colo., to Beijing. Petite (size four) Miranda is, on the one hand, shy, fearful and mousy, and, on the other, artistic, creative and hungry for change. Her visit to China is a business trip, arranging knitting contracts for the cashmere sweaters she designs for a New York firm, but it becomes a two-week sojourn that will change her life. Although scenes detailing the textile negotiations add interest, the story focuses on Miranda's relationship with Yuan Li, a successful builder/construction engineer. The son of a Chinese mother and an American soldier, he becomes her soulful guide to China, romance and personal growth. Danger intrudes after Miranda innocently acts as courier for a letter from a former dissident, now in America; the authorities put Miranda and Yuan Li under round-the-clock surveillance. The supporting charactersALi's aloof daughter, scheming son, old friend's wifeAcontribute to the feel of an earnest and colorful travelogue and history lesson. The sense of being an American in a foreign culture is nicely conveyed as Miranda views such phenomena as the thick crowds of bicycle riders in Beijing, the dense army of terra cotta soldiers in Xi'an and the stunning architecture of the Forbidden City. This 10th offering from the practiced Michael (Deceptions; Acts of Love) will undoubtedly join its nine predecessors on the bestseller lists. Major ad/promo; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selection.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Paperback Nova Audio Books; Abridged edition (March 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567409849
• ISBN-13: 978-1567409840
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,324,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Below Par, December 16, 1999

By 

C. Goodman "Book lover" (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Certain Smile (Hardcover)

My favorite collection of books consist of Judith Michael, Katherine Stone, and Mary Higgins Clark. However, this book, "Certain Smile" would certainly not be one of those favorites. I usually re-read my favorite books no less than once a year, I struggled through this book the first time, let alone a second time. I believe the plot to be a little far fetched, without any plausibility. Who would do all these things with a stranger in a foreign country that the lead character does? Most of the books by Judith Michael are page turners for me, but this one is a putter-downer. I expect more from this writing team than this book, especially when we are all anxiously awaiting and anticipating each one. The ending was VERY disappointing. While not all books can have happy perfect endings (but why not?), this one really needed it to make up for the storyline. I'll of course buy the next Judith Michael book, but now, my expectations are lower, and perhaps, I'll read it at my library before making the purchase.

CMG

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This review is for the abridged audiobook, which I adored!, August 15, 2005

By 

Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Certain Smile (Mass Market Paperback)

When I first noticed that this audiobook "fit" on just 2 cassettes and the entire story was told in 3 hours, I figured that it must have been heavily abridged. I didn't mind at all b/c this wasn't a book I was likely to read in its entirety, so I was glad for the opportunity to experience a shortened version of it on audio. However, the reader speaks at a much quicker pace than any other audiobook I've ever listened to, so this might have extended onto another tape had it been read by someone else - a positive thing because although I had to be extra attentive so I wouldn't miss anything, it was nice to lightly breeze right through the story in very little time.

It should be noted that the back cover mentions realities of China which test their love. None of these were developed in the plot on audio, in fact, Li's son was never introduced, so I suspect this abrigded version did cut a lot out and isn't as involved as the book. However, the cultural differences and family bonds that tested their love, and the inability to give up their homes and what was familiar to them to permenantly live in the other's world, was certainly satisfying enough for me. I honestly didn't miss what wasn't included.

I found the cultural immersion to be fascinating! I admired Miranda's character immensely and I especially appreciated how her confidence in herself, and the manner in which she projected herself, blossomed under Li's influence in her life. It's amazing how being in love has a trickle down effect into other areas of daily life! Although it was a bit odd the way Li initially approached Miranda in the airport, I also found him to be very likable (I might have fallen for him myself! lol) Their love seemed so strong, like soulmates who were meant to be together, and their relationship had such potential. As a sucker for happy endings, I would have liked to see them work out a way to stay together forever, so the end was quite disappointing and sad to me even though it was presented in a tragically beautiful way.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not one of their best works., April 26, 2000

By 

Sharon Galligar Chance (Wichita Falls, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Certain Smile (Mass Market Paperback)

Bestselling husband and wife author-team Judith Michael has situated this familiar midlife, "coming of age" tale in a truly unique location. Colorful descriptions of Chinese culture and atmosphere will certainly infect some readers with the travel bug. But, while Miranda's character is well-developed and likable, Li's borders on stereotypical, and at times the threats to their relationship seem artificial. The ending also seems somewhat weak and wishy-washy for such a promising storyline. Not to give away the ending, but after 10 days of knowing each other, Miranda and Li struggle with the implausible -- one page has her staying in China (what about her kids in the US?) and the next page has him leaving China and moving to the US. Make up your minds! Unfortunately this is not one of the authors' best works, but it is entertaining if you are interested in Chinese culture and people.

-Sharon Galligar Chance