"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
The title of the book is derived from the practice of Myanmar fishermen who "scoop up the fish and bring them to shore. They say they are saving the fish from drowning. Unfortunately... the fish do not recover," This kind of magical thinking or hypocrisy or mystical attitude or sheer stupidity is a fair metaphor for the entire book. It may be read as a satire, a political statement, a picaresque tale with several "picaros" or simply a story about a tour gone wrong.
Bibi Chen, San Francisco socialite and art vendor to the stars, plans to lead a trip for 12 friends: "My friends, those lovers of art, most of them rich, intelligent, and spoiled, would spend a week in China and arrive in Burma on Christmas Day." Unfortunately, Bibi dies, in very strange circumstances, before the tour begins. After wrangling about it, the group decides to go after all. The leader they choose is indecisive and epileptic, a dangerous combo. Bibi goes along as the disembodied voice-over.
Once in Myanmar, finally, they are noticed by a group of Karen tribesmen who decide that Rupert, the 15-year-old son of a bamboo grower is, in fact, Younger White Brother, or The Lord of the Nats. He can do card tricks and is carrying a Stephen King paperback. These are adjudged to be signs of his deity and ability to save them from marauding soldiers. The group is "kidnapped," although they think they are setting out for a Christmas Day surprise, and taken deep into the jungle where they languish, develop malaria, learn to eat slimy things and wait to be rescued. Nats are "believed to be the spirits of nature--the lake, the trees, the mountains, the snakes and birds. They were numberless ... They were everywhere, as were bad luck and the need to find reasons for it." Philosophy or cynicism? This elusive point of view is found throughout the novel--a bald statement is made and then Tan pulls her punches as if she is unwilling to make a statement that might set a more serious tone.
There are some goofy parts about Harry, the member of the group who is left behind, and his encounter with two newswomen from Global News Network, some slapstick sex scenes and a great deal of dog-loving dialogue. These all contribute to a novel that is silly but not really funny, could have an occasionally serious theme which suddenly disappears, and is about a group of stereotypical characters that it's hard to care about. It was time for Amy Tan to write another book; too bad this was it. --Valerie Ryan
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 4193215-n
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0007216165
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780007216161
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0007216165
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. The highly anticipated novel from the bestselling author of `The Joy Luck Club' and `The Bonesetter's Daughter'. Seller Inventory # B9780007216161
Book Description Condition: New. The highly anticipated novel from the bestselling author of 'The Joy Luck Club' and 'The Bonesetter's Daughter'. Num Pages: 496 pages. BIC Classification: FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 202 x 159 x 33. Weight in Grams: 344. . 2006. 01st Edition. Paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780007216161
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0007216165
Book Description Condition: New. The highly anticipated novel from the bestselling author of 'The Joy Luck Club' and 'The Bonesetter's Daughter'. Num Pages: 496 pages. BIC Classification: FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 202 x 159 x 33. Weight in Grams: 344. . 2006. 01st Edition. Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # V9780007216161
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 496 pages. 7.76x5.20x1.89 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0007216165
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Same / next day dispatch (Monday - Friday), Seller Inventory # mon0000080475