Customer Reviews

Cloud Mountain

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cloud Mountain by Aimee E. Liu is a wonderful book. Inspired by her own Grandparents story, this book is impossible to put down. It is romance of the first order, as well as vivid history, both Chinese and American during the turbulent times from the San Francisco earthquake to the Chinese Revolution. Miss Liu brings these times to life in ways that I have never read before. This book explores the relationship between an American woman (who, being part Native American is considered mongrel in her own country) and an upperclass Chinese scholar and revolutionist. Cloud Mountain is moving, well researched, and never dry. I couldn't put it down. Any Amy Tan and Memoir of a Geisha fans out there should run for this book. A truly sweeping, beautifully written novel.

Aimme E. Liu has written a wonderful fictional accounting of a true story. I have been a friend of the Luis family for over forty five years. Aimee's cousin John was my boyhood friend. And we still keep up. The family story has always fasinaated me. (John is Herb Luis' son, Teddy in the book.)Although Aimee says it is about 70% true, I know through conversations with John's mother that basically ALL of the major persons, dates, places, and events are true. The 30% is mostly side sories and details for dramatic effect.

I also want to point out that in a prior review of "Cloud Mountain" by "Elizabeth" she states that the only place in 1908 where the name Jennifer existed was Cornwall. Well, the fact is Hope's real name WAS Jenny Trescott. In fact, I found that Aimee used family names for fictional charactors in several instances. But never the real name for the real person.

Although I have to say that I read this book because I had already heard the story and had a personal interest in it. But even if I hadn't I still would not have been able to put it down. Aimee Liu's use of words to describe are incredibly original (I don't know how she came up with some of them) and they really do "paint" a picture in your mind as you read.
She is a real literary artist.

This is not only a love story. In fact, I would just as much descibe it as a story of courage, of two people who dared to cross the bariers that a bigoted society had placed between them. It is also the story of a man committed to saving his counrty by bringing it democracy even if it could have cost him his life. It is a story of a woman who stood by him, travelled halfway around the world to an unstable society trying to grow up into democracy, but turned out to be a house of cards.

Read this book and take a trip back to a past and place few Americans are aware of. Enjoy the exciting people and places, but also learn a history of a different place, time, and people.

In the last few years I have read many books that deal with China's history and this book was by far one of my favorites. It is a beautiful book that I felt compelled to share with others and purchased more than one copy so I could lend it out and make sure to have a copy for my collection. This book will not dissapoint, especially if you are as intrigued with China and it's history as I am! When I got to the last 20 pages or so I turned them very slowly in hopes of making it last longer! :) I urge you to buy this book and one for your friends! It is a very moving picture of what a person can live through and still see the beauty in life around them!

Using stories told by her Grandfather, Aimee Liu provides an insiders tale to a time of turmoil in China. The story starts in San Francisco at the time of the big quake. It is a love story of an American girl and a very educated Chinese boy at a time when women hardly spoke to a Chinese person, much less married one. Her husband is a part of Sun Yet-sen's battle to topple the Manchu Dynasty. Within the novel is the history of China from the Opium War in 1840 to the Communist's War of Liberation in 1949. Good insight into the people of China and their relationship with the Western Powers.

I had to write a few words. Every now and then I hit upon an author that pulls and pushes at your heart. I listen to dozens of audio books every month driving to and from work. This story was so very well written. It has real life in it. It has passion, love, danger, devotion, understanding, pain - it has it all. It is a must read/listen for historical and just plain enjoyment reasons. (The plot is in the description.) I must now seek out other books by this author. If you want to fill moments of your life with a treasure include this story. dorothy

When I received this book I was really eager to read it. The whole storyline appealed to me and I was convinced, based on the first few chapters, that I would enjoy it. I'm not sure when I changed my mind. Maybe it was after reading countless details about historical and political China when I just wanted to know more about the main characters. Sometimes I felt as if the author couldn't decide if she wanted to write a history book or a love story. While her descriptions of the surrounding enviroments within the book were very colorful and evocative, the presentation of historical events taking place was a bit on the boring side. I found myself fighting the urge to just skip over those parts. Also, the ending (which I won't give away) sort of left me feeling cheated. I suppose I could've overlooked all of those things except for one thing. The fact is, the main character just isn't very interesting or likeable. To me, that's a deal-breaker.

I bought this cassette because I love to "read" when I drive and I love to listen to B.D. Wong. He has the ability to take you deep into the story and his voices are so perfect to each character. This is a beautiful story, so full of love and yet so sad. You feel the pain Hope feels as she and Paul struggle against American prejudice and then as the Chinese cultural revolution threatens to tear them apart again. I loved the cassette so much I am now reading the book in non-abridged. It's a real tear jerker, yet it's so satisfying. What a wonderful love story!

Aimee Liu is a master storyteller. I have not read a piece of fiction that deals with China during this period as well written since Bette Bao Lord's Middling Heart. The history, the characters all lend themselves to a wonderful tale of people you really care about.

I bought the book on the basis of that I heard it was a good love story. Otherwise I had no idea what it was about. I was so surprised at how great it is!! I say surprised because so many authors are so-so. I could not put this book down! I am in the middle of moving and every break I could squeeze in, my nose would be in the book. I would stay up late to read "just one more chapter" only to find that an hour (or two) had flown past! I didn't care for the ending, but look forward to read Ms. Liu's next book!

I picked up this book without knowing a thing about it. What a great surprise. The writing pulls you into the story and what a story! The book can be read for so many different reasons. It is a realistic look at the evolution of a marriage relationship. It is a great look at modern Chinese history from an insiders view. And it is a eye-opening look at the prejudices of the times - many that still remain. This would make a wonderful movie. I hope the author continues to write; she has definitely found a fan.