Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday: UNDER FISHBONE CLOUDS by Sam Meekings


"WAITING ON WEDNESDAY"
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Join in and tell us . . .

What are you waiting for?

My pick for this week is . . .



Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Publication Date: 12/7/2010
ISBN: 978-0-312-62279-4
ISBN10: 0-312-62279-1,
6 1/8 x 9 1/4 inches
416 pages

Description (from the publisher):
Under Fishbone Clouds is a universal love story, a family saga, and a journey through Chinese history, myth, and culture.  Following a young Chinese couple as their love grows, and is tested, during Mao's Cultural Revolution, this elegant debut novel provides a rare and personal glimpse into the birth modern China.

When the Kitchen God is challenged by the Jade Emperor to fathom the workings of the human heart, he chooses to follow the life of Jinyi and his wife Yuying, from their blossoming love until their old age, in hope of finding an answer. The Kitchen God watches as the new government strictures split their family in two, living inside their hearts as they they endure the loss of two children, homesickness, and isolation, all while keeping alive a love that survives famine, forced labor, and even death. Weaving together the story of their life with China’s recent political history, as well as traditional folktales and myths, the Kitchen God illuminates the most impenetrable aspects the human condition.

About the author (from the publisher):
SAM MEEKINGS received his undergraduate degree in Modern History and English Literature from Oxford University, and his masters degree in Creative Writing from Edinburgh University. Originally from southern England, he now lives in China with his wife and two children. Under Fishbone Clouds is his first novel.

12 comments:

Alayne said...

Oooh nice pick! It's a beautiful looking book. Thanks for visiting mine at The Crowded Leaf.

Zibilee said...

This sounds great! I am fascinated by this time period and area, so this seems like a must read for me.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

This sounds intriguing...love the cover, too.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

TheBookGirl said...

What a great pick...I have definitely added this to my TBR list :)
Thanks for visiting my blog and following; I love your blog and will be back for sure!

Minding Spot said...

What a neat cover!! Great choice :)

Wendy

bermudaonion said...

Interesting title and gorgeous cover!

Megan said...

This sounds really good! I think I'll be waiting for it, too!

ImageNations said...

Books written by and about Asia are always beautiful. I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and I really loved it. This too sounds interesting

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

This is on my PBS wishlist; sound like a good one --great pick Gwen!

Toyin O. said...

Sounds like a great book, thanks for sharing.

http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

wow, what a beautiful cover! the story sounds really interesting. hope you enjoy it when you read it!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting and different story. A mixture of myth and history should give us a good feel for events in China.