Customer Reviews

The Red Thread

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

 

 

I don't read much fiction. When I do it is usually by accident. This one was a happy accident. It has all the things I like in it. Antiques and curios, art, ancient scriptures, asian food, chinese herbal medicine, reincarnation, even embroidered shoes.

The love story is far from traditional and it would not surprise me if many readers missed the point entirely. I suppose also a good deal of readers would not consider the ending happy. Thank goodness there are some writers who do not write for the majority. Sorry I can't tell you why four stars and not five stars, this would spoil the book for you...........I don't like it when reviews tell too much of the story and give away the plot.

I bought this book because I was interested to read a story set in modern Shanghai. In this respect I was not disappointed. The Red Thread does provide some interesting and evocative descriptions of the city and its surrounds. However, as a love story it is impossible. The main characters are wooden and superficially developed; in fact, some of the minor characters are more interesting. The technique of telling the story in parallell with the story of the old manuscript might have worked, had the old story been more intriguing, and the new one alive with believable passion. As it is, it is as dry as the paper of the old manuscript.

When I began reading "The Red Thread," I was very interested in the plot twists and history of the story itself. However, as the book continues, I found myself struggling to keep interest. The past lives/loves of our two main characters is fascinating, and especially the "soul mate" quality of the ancient book linking their reincarnation... but the author, unfortunately, does not keep this excitement. Plus, the introduction of a third character that seems "thrown in" to make a better story, just doesn't seem to fit with the majestic theme. I kept reading the story for the simple fact that I thought it would get better, in a sense-make a full circle, and I never came to a conclusion. Perhaps that is the point, however, to come to that realization is a step far beyond what the author projected.