44 pages • 1 hour read
The Valley of Amazement
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
608
Novel • Fiction
Shanghai • Early 20th century
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Valley of Amazement follows the intertwined lives of Violet and her mother Lulu from early-20th-century Shanghai to San Francisco, exploring themes of identity, separation, and the mother-daughter bond as they navigate love, betrayal, and reconciliation. Sensitive topics include the experience of being sold into the sex trade and familial abandonment.
Emotional
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
53,824 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Amy Tan's The Valley of Amazement explores intricate mother-daughter relationships against a richly detailed historical backdrop. Reviewers praise Tan’s vivid storytelling and emotional depth but critique its sprawling narrative and occasional melodrama. While some found it deeply moving and immersive, others felt it was overly ambitious and unwieldy in parts.
Who Should Read The Valley of Amazement?
A reader who would enjoy The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan likely appreciates multi-generational family sagas, intricate historical contexts, and explores themes of identity and resilience. Fans of The Joy Luck Club or The Kitchen God's Wife will find similar emotional depth and cultural richness in Tan's storytelling.
53,824 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Magic Gourd
Magic Gourd
A former courtesan who becomes a trusted friend and mentor to Violet, offering guidance and support as they both strive for better futures.
Lucretia (Lucia/Lulu) Minturn
Lucretia (Lucia/Lulu) Minturn
Violet's determined and charismatic mother, who manages a courtesan house in Shanghai after facing numerous personal challenges and betrayals.
Lu Shing
Lu Shing
A Chinese art student whose family obligations overshadow his romantic and artistic endeavors, deeply affecting those around him.
Loyalty Fang
Loyalty Fang
A handsome and charming individual who becomes romantically involved with Violet, playing a significant role in her quest for love and identity.
Perpetual Sheng
Perpetual Sheng
A man whose poetic talents initially captivate Violet, but who later reveals a darker and more deceptive side.
Edward Ivory
Edward Ivory
A wealthy friend of Loyalty’s who becomes a significant figure in Violet's life during their time in Shanghai.
Flora Ivory
Flora Ivory
The young daughter of Violet and Edward, who works to uncover the truths about her family's past and forge connections with her heritage.
608
Novel • Fiction
Shanghai • Early 20th century
2013
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.