Plot Summary

The Hundred Secret Senses

Amy Tan
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The Hundred Secret Senses

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995

Book Brief

Amy Tan

The Hundred Secret Senses

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995
Book Details
Pages

406

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

San Francisco, California • 1990s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan centers on Olivia Laguni Bishop, a travel photographer, and her complex relationship with her half-sister Kwan Li, who believes she can see the dead. Despite Olivia's skepticism and cynicism, Kwan seeks to reunite Olivia with her estranged husband, Simon, and make her accept the reality of a spiritual world. Through a journey to Kwan's home in Changmian, China, Olivia slowly embraces Kwan's mystical beliefs, leading to a deeper understanding of herself and her sister.

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Emotional

Nostalgic

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

47,766 ratings

74%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Amy Tan's The Hundred Secret Senses intertwines modern American life with Chinese ghost stories, showcasing rich cultural details and vivid characters. Readers praise its engaging narrative and emotional depth. However, some find the supernatural elements confusing and the plot occasionally slow. Overall, it captivates with its exploration of familial bonds and identity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Hundred Secret Senses?

Readers who enjoy interwoven family sagas and explorations of cultural identity, as in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, will cherish The Hundred Secret Senses. It appeals to those drawn to mystical elements and the complexities of sisterhood and heritage.

4.1

47,766 ratings

74%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

406

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

San Francisco, California • 1990s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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