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Title:
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Girl Who Played Go, The |
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Authors:
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Sa, Shan |
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Genre:
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Fiction |
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Pages:
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280 |
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Year:
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2003 |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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Kiriyama Fiction Prize Winner. Set in Japanese-occupied Manchuria in the 1930s. In the "Square of a Thousand Winds", a sixteen-year-old Chinese girl beats all-comers at the ancient game of Go. One of her opponents is a Japanese officer of the occupying power. Their encounters are like the game itself - subtle, but surprisingly fierce.
Comments from Groups:A very clever book, extremely well written. Lots of good discussion. Richmond 004Some found this an easy read, others found it harder to keep up with the changing of character in each chapter. It needs to be read in longer goes rather than stopping and starting. The true story only becomes apparent in the last 1/2 of the book. Southbridge 001Everyone in our group found this a difficult book to read. In the beginning it was confusing as to who the narrator was. The mood is very dark, everyone expected a tragic ending. Everyone finished reading it but most felt like stopping part way through. Auckland 016We had a varied reaction to this book - not always a great read before going to sleep. Another nightmarish book on the futility of war! - and an insight into two quite different cultures - well worth reading. TeKuiti 002Most of the group enjoyed reading this book because of the brilliant writing and good translation but we all thought it was a 'nasty' story!! But war is never good. The short chapters and 1st person narration made it very 'immediate' as though we were there - a very worthwhile read. Wellington 74
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Categories:
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Fiction, Award winner, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Relationships, Manchuria |
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Reviews
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By: WELL 104
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2024-06-17 09:59:19 |
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Our group enjoyed this book, although thought it a little gruesome. |
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By: WELL 154
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2024-06-17 09:57:36 |
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Mixed response to this book, some of us LOVED it and others found the writing style and short chapters hard work. |
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By: AUCK 164
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2024-06-17 09:56:33 |
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We thought the book interesting. It made us aware of how little we know about Japanese and Chinese history. Some said the way the book was structured caused confusion - especially at the beginning. |
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By: TEPAH 001
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2024-06-17 09:54:36 |
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Some members did not complete the book, finding it a bit morbid. Those who did complete it feel the book redeemed itself. War is not pleasant and life can be harsh. Characters well portrayed and developed. Some lovely language. |
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By: AUCK 006
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2023-01-09 15:02:49 |
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Half of the group read the book and (naturally) half didn't. Of those who did read it half wanted to read it again. Unfortunately not because they enjoyed the book but because they had difficulty adjusting to the way it was written and felt that to appreciate it they would need to read it again. Those who did read it, and finish it, enjoyed the descriptive language. Probably not one of our better choices but in saying that we did get a good discussion out of it which is the point of the group. |
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By: NEWP 001
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2023-01-09 14:38:38 |
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A haunting and unbelievably sad story, but I guess it shows an incredibly brutal and bleak time. |
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By: AUCK 248
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2023-01-09 14:37:19 |
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This was not a favourite book for the group. The chapters were very short and the changing of 'voices' each time was very jarring. A sad story. |
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By: WELL 045
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2023-01-09 14:36:02 |
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Great - the best discussion yet. |
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By: NGON 002
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2023-01-09 14:35:15 |
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Some enjoyed while others thought it improbable. The ending seemed the only way it could have gone. Recommend. |
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By: WELL 016
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2023-01-09 14:34:00 |
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On the whole people liked it, but it was a short discussion - not enough to keep it going. The ending of the book was not entirely convincing. |
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By: AUCK 155
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2023-01-09 14:32:41 |
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We all enjoyed reading this, and had a good discussion. |
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By: WHITBY 002
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2023-01-09 14:31:52 |
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A thought provoking book with beautiful, simple and poetic writing. It was historically and culturally interesting but we found the characters superficial, and it did not engage. Pleased to have read it but would not describe it as an enjoyable read. |
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By: TAUR 015
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2023-01-09 14:29:00 |
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A delicate story cleverly told by the two main characters, who take it in turns. Helpful notes. |
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