Saving Fish from Drowning (ISBN 1597377317)

Ugh!:
I really hate to say this, because Amy Tan is one of my favorite writers, but I simply cannot finish this book (and I even managed to slog all the way through the horrid PILLARS OF THE EARTH). I'm tired of reading about everyone's "toilet difficulties," I don't care about ANY of the characters (except the dog, so I'm glad to hear that he lives), and I cannot imagine what editor told the author that this book was a good idea. If you want to read great novels by an exceptional writer, read ANY of Tan's other novels. I am praying that she goes back to telling her wonderful stories from her Chinese heritage in her next book.

Not as good as her other books..:
She steps out of line this time as she deals with mostly American characters and the setting is Burma instead of Mao-land. The narrator is a ghost, but of course, being the writer Tan is, she makes it quite plausible. I would say it is presenting spirituality in a wacky way!! Very Good....

Loved this book, and the author continues to grow in my esteem:
Started out slowly for me, trying to remember all the characters; but then Tan's characteristic dry, deadpan style came seeping in. So many themes covered and interwoven into the story. An unerring writer, who consistently impresses me. I listened to this on audio and admired Tan's reading. I am very particular about readers, and have listened to many who don't read as well.

Lighten up, naysayers!:
Don't believe the negative reviews- this was a fun, dark, thought provoking and humorous look at 12 American travelers and the trouble they find themselves when forced out of their comfort zone and preconceived notions. The story explores the shift in attitude, priorities and perceptions the characters experience when faced with the absurd & unimaginable predicament that befall them. I understand the disappointment some readers have when their favorite authors leave their normal routine to explore something different. I'm so happy glad I didn't see these reviews before I picked up the book. Amy Tan writes beautifully and her story engaged me immediately. She stayed the course in exploring relationships not only between mother and daughter, but also other equally important relationships. The characters were each endearing in their own way. I loved the book and enjoyed the Q & A after as well.

Authors grow and change:
While I do understand the feeling that many readers may share that a particular writer should stick with "her" characters, "her" plot lines and should never stray, I can certainly understand why a writer would want to stretch beyond her boundaries. Or his boundaries, as the case may be. Writing is as any other art - it is an art in and of itself. To grow, as a human, and as an artist, writers must reach out beyond their beginnings, to continue to learn, to develop, and to reach out for new and different types of beauty. To refuse to grow is to stagnate, to churn out the same words, in a different format, over and over ad nauseum. It strikes me that anyone who actually likes an author should be happy to see that author grown and develop, to bring more and stronger beauty to their words and symbols. To reach beyond and offer that growth to her/his readers. Though many won't agree with me, I do feel that Ms. Tan is reaching out to her readers, helping them to see more of her, to watch her as she learns and grows. I wish her good luck in helping her readers to travel with her on this new journey.