Customer Reviews

Meeting Luciano (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This novel touches on subjects such as mother/daughter relationships, living one's dreams vs. taking the safe road in life, life after divorce, and multiculturalism. I found the mother, Hanako, endearing, and was able to relate to the daughter in many aspects. The ending is surprising and bittersweet.

i really enjoyed this book--in fact, i read it twice. maybe because my father is an opera fan. and on second reading, i began to see how well constructed was the book. of course, it's not about 'meeting luciano' but meeting luciano is in fact what moves the characters in the book. i recommend it to all.

It is my good fortune to find this jewel-like, delectable novel. For me, it was not about meeting up with Luciano himself afterall, but about meeting up with so much more: beautiful food, opera music and the musical language, the intricacies of loving mothers/fathers/siblings/friends, the loss of them, growing up/the uncertainty of the future, and the need to reinvent oneself; Esaki-Smith touches just about all bases, including a delectable mix of cultures. The thoughtfulness and perception from which she writes/describes her mother astonishes me. I highly recommend this novel.

This is the story of Emily who, after graduating from college returns home to live with Hanako, her mom. What Emily needs is some interests, focus, direction, a little kick in the rear to get her life jumpstarted again but instead decides to fill her time by taking care of the affairs of her "helpless" mother. Hanako, on the other hand, has a mission and is determined to complete it. She was just a delight. At times she seemed so childlike and vulnerable yet had such a strong presence in the book. Alex was right, she is a strong person. I think for the most part Hanako's and Emily's relationship is a typical mom-daughter relationship. The ending was the only disappointment. It came very quickly and I kept wondering why the author ended the book so abruptly.

i've read the reviews here and some are too simplistic, some are too demanding. this is a wonderful book. of course anyone can pick at it, but perhaps they miss the point. i liked the surprise, felt the quiet drama compelling and thought the character of the mother funny and true.

I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, it was a nice opportunity to get a glimpse into another culture and explore the acculturation process of the mother and her daughters. I also liked the use of flashbacks throughout the book as well as the memories triggered by household objects. Esaki-Smith's writing was easy to read and I enjoyed relaxing with this book on a rainy afternoon. My only disappointment was with the ending which didn't seem to fit the flow of the book. All in all it's a fine book and I would recommend it.

Very interesting for the fusion of cultures that it represents. Nicely written and very comfortable. A very sweet memory piece.

A very worthwhile read. As a non-asian male, I was not only able to experience aspects of the mother-daugher relationship, but that of the Asian experience in America, AND, that of the first generation American. I am not surprised the book does not go over as well in California - at least, that's what it seems from the reviews listed herein... There is an inner contemplative quality that will not be easily understood by those who are attracted to the more extroverted, exteriorized, and sometimes superficial elements in the "State of Sunshine and Surf".

Meeting Luciano is a rare first novel, thoughtful and thought-provoking, the kind of book that sticks in your memory. It has a paced, poetic narrative that subtly displays the stresses of different cultures and generations in close quarters. Worth your time.

Emily,daughter of post war migrants Hanako and her husband,returns to live with her mother after graduating from college and following her parents divorce.Hanako is a devotee of opera and all things European and is convinced that because of a vague mention of a visit by Luciano Pavarotti,he is about to come to her home.She hires a Greek american painter to redecorate and a relationship starts to build between them.I enjoyed the mentions of cultural differences between Japanese and U.S. backgrounds and while I can't pinpoint anything in particular to criticise,The story just seemed to fizzle out towards the end.