The Hundred Secret Senses book review


Written by Amy Tan, published in 1996. I’ve read a lot of her novels over the years with great enjoyment; the first I heard of this book was when my friend Steven lent me his copy. My nose was stuck in that book until I finished.

Amy Tan is a great storyteller. I enjoy her portrayal of a modern American heroine’s interactions with her Chinese immigrant sister. The characters are fully developed and take on a life of their own. It’s a good read.

This novel is about fate and reincarnation, two subjects that enthrall me. Right now I’m particularly intrigued with the concept of fate.

BFF Melissa and I have a long-running discussion about fate. She’ll comment about some life event “It it’s meant to be, it will be.”

And I’ll counter with “So does that mean you believe in fate?”

“No, not necessarily.”

“But if you believe what’s meant to be is – well then isn’t that predestination?”

“No, not necessarily.”

Mind you, I’m merely trying to pin Melissa down on her actual belief, (or perhaps drive her crazy because I like to argue either side of a point.) For the most part I am of the opinion that “what’s meant to be is” is a panacea doled out whenever some event makes us unhappy.

Bachelor uncle died and left entire estate to your worthless brother? Too bad, it was meant to be. Boyfriend dumped you over silly argument? Too bad, it was meant to be. But I digress.

Back to the fate angle. This story progressed in a circular Dickensian way: Characters living in a small village in one life reconnecting across continents in the current life; Characters with unresolved romances in the past reconnected and married in the current life; Characters making other-worldly agreements to wait for each other. All the reconnections happening because they were meant to be. Predestined. Fated.

Do I believe in fate? I am undecided. My belief or lack thereof won’t change the existence of fate.

Would fate mean my ex-husband will be waiting for me in my next life to resolve the unresolved? Or did divorce resolve everything? Do we ever get totally away from those people who drive us nuts? It gives one pause.


Final note: Hey buddy, (you know who you are) I’m not waiting for you until the next lifetime.

Comments

Janice said…
I, too, am a reader of Amy Tan. Trivia: She spent some of her young years in Santa Rosa, CA and attended school in the district where I live.

Fate? I don't know; I tend to not be a believer, but I am certainly not sure on that.

Your last comment on my blog was LOL funny!

I hope you are having a good weekend.
Sat Oct 29, 03:45:00 PM
Rebekka Seale said…
"My belief or lack thereof won't change the existence of fate". I love that.
Sun Oct 30, 06:35:00 AM
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