Customer Reviews

Only a Girl

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Only a Girl is a masterpiece of storytelling.

In rich and complex prose Lian Gouw develops her characters around a backdrop of multi cultures and the dramatic history of Dutch rule, Japanese occupation and Indonesian Revolution.

Though Only a Girl may seem to have a wider appeal to women, Gouw's methodic use of universal values such as ambition, pride, security, fear and love draws all readers into the story irrespective of gender. Lian Gouw is a gifted writer who is able to capture her reader's attention not only throughout the book but even for some time after The End.

"Only a Girl" takes place in Indonesia where women's choices were limited by culture and family expectations. Against a backdrop of invasion and upheaval, Carolien tries to make a life for herself on her own terms. Great character development and fascinating historical details make this a great read. Highly recommended.

The history and culture that Lian Gouw narrates so compellingly was almost unknown to me. I kept turning the pages eagerly, wanting to see how the intricate plot unfolded. I believed in the characters. I hope this author is at work on her next novel.

From the first page, I was drawn into the character's lives and could not put down "Only a Girl". Lian Gouw did a fantastic job of letting us into the lives and the world around these remarkable women, their daily struggles, their interactions and influences on each other. And, I even learned a bit of history. This is a beautifully written novel with a compelling story that I highly recommend! Now I want to know what happens next to Jenny and her family and hope there is a follow up book in the works - hint, hint!

Lian Gouw is an intelligent and compassionate writer. In Only a Girl, history and personal story intertwine in a family chronicle that is both unique and familiar. The novel begins with young love, and a willful woman's desire to be strong and independent. Lian Gouw's richly drawn characters reveal complex emotions, and raise questions about love and loyalty. This is a work of power, tenderness and hope and it will stay with me for a long time.

Only a Girl is a great book - the characters are well rounded and interesting, the story kept me reading, and the setting is fascinating to me: both on a surface level as providing a good backdrop for the action, and on a historic level, providing insight into a place that I knew little about. The book is set in Indonesia during the era of WWII and consequently touches the Chinese, Dutch, and Indonesian cultures as they grapple with control and belonging in a shared piece of the world. It follows a family of mostly women as they are forced to react to the changes happening around them and as their choices cause internal change within their family. I would highly recommend this story - both as an enjoyable read and as one that may open your eyes a little bit wider.

Jenny may have been "only a girl," but her story is extraordinary. Although she lived in a time and place that I knew very little about beforehand, I became completely absorbed by her journey, which was inseparable from that of her mother and grandmother. This novel has it all: beloved characters, crusty villains, political turmoil, war, revolution, family conflicts, love, heartbreak, and an historically accurate context that adds both momentum and drama from the first page to the last.

This book was an amazing experience... Could not put it down!
I would highly recommend it to anyone.. Hopefully the author is working on a series - because I can't wait to see what happens next.

Only a Girl is a wonderful book set in Indonesia during WWII where the Chinese, Dutch, Indonesian and Japanese cultures interact and influence each other. It is the best kind of historical novel, one that effortlessly paints a vivid picture of a fascinating world most of us know little about while at the same time creating complex and interesting characters. The book is so well written that I felt like I knew and could see each individual. Even the most unappealing character is portrayed with a depth that helps the reader understand and feel some compassion for her. The story has a richness to it as it develops and the characters grapple with their internal conflicts as well as the many relational issues that are universal and yet set in a unique context. My book group read it and there was plenty here for great discussion. I highly recommend this book!

The Indonesian history and culture that Lian Gouw writes about so compellingly are unknown to many readers in the US. I was unfamiliar with the Chinese subculture in Indonesia during WWII and the Indonesian Revolution. I admire Gouw for telling this story and look forward to her next book!