A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers
Ratings5
Average rating3.8
Written in a series of short chapters, with each one becoming the definition of a word, a novel about a young Chinese woman caught in the cultural confusion of England explores the endless possibilities for misunderstanding between East and West.
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Dec 22:
It went to New Zealand and back again with me. First person narrative kicking off in broken English but gradually improving. She charts her experience in England and with her lover there, comparing the difference between cultures. Quite an enjoyable read.
Dec 2:
And I find it while gathering all the scattered books around the house! Turned out it was in my bookshelf all along with the spine facing in.
Dec 1:
Filing it under ‘abandoned' for the time being until I discover where exactly did I accidentally abandoned the book. I was enjoying it too!
Really enjoyed this touching and often laugh-out-loud funny novel.
It's about love, about language and translation, and then differences of thinking in Chinese and English. And some of her observations, especially about English food, from the perspective of a newly arrived visitor from China are hilarious.
Found this title while looking up actual Chinese-English dictionaries. It was very amusing and engrossing for the first half of the book and then the pace slowed down (for me, anyway) along with the lovers' ardour for each other. I liked the observations of the differences between east/west culture, told through the main character's gradually improving English. I'd enjoy re-reading this.
