43. The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan I attended an event with Amy Tan a few years ago where she read from this book, and I've wanted to read it since. That was before it was published, and it took a few years, so by the time I found it again, it was a bargain hardcover at B&N. The premise of the story is unbelievable and shocking to me, and many of the events are hard to stomach because of the sheer powerlesssness of the primary female character. That said, the characters are interesting and their stories weird and wild. The writing feels less like her other books to me, I'm not sure I can describe how. Less mystical, more practical, maybe. The subject matter of mother/daughter relationships seems familiar, but all the mothers and daughters are apart for most of the story, and their stories revolve around other people and situations, even if a large part of their psyches are tied to the alienation of their relationships. Read it if you're interested in courtes...
Life, Books, and SFF