A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers
 

A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers

by Xiaolu Guo

When a young Chinese woman, newly arrived in London, moves in with her English boyfriend, she decides it’s time to write a Chinese-English dictionary for lovers. Xiaolu’s first novel in English is an utterly original journey of self-discovery. (read review)

Top tags: chinalondonfictionculture clashimmigrant experience (all tags)

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Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

i.should.b.reading
  • Rated 4 stars

Zhuang , or Z, is a young woman that has come from China to London for a year to learn English. Z is twenty-three and meets a man twenty years her senior. The account is more of a diary from Z’s perspective at the beginning Z’s English is not good and it is harder to understand her meaning. As the book progresses so does her English. I liked Z’s character. I thought she trusted people much too quickly and it annoyed me. I’m sure though if you don’t grasp the language extremely well and don’t...

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Didn’t Like It

Tathagat
  • Rated 2 stars

some how this book and the nrration reminded me of the book by james frey, million little peices and my friend leonard. the narrative is broken at first, but soon takes over a full fledged narrative. very romantic read.

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Community:
  • Rated 3.54 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 0 stars
 

Newest Comments

  • ElizaDoo

    elizadoo said:

    The concept behind this book is fascinating - written in Chinglish, it tells of a young Chinese woman's experience of life and love and sex, and finding herself and her path in life, during a study year in London. Unfortunately, the book itself does not really do it justice and is certainly not worthy of all the hype it's received. Admittedly, it is at times funny and interesting, and the insights into the effects of cultural difference on the protagonist's relationship are intruiging, but overall, the book is little more than well-marketed chick lit.

    posted Friday, August 24 2007 ( | view 2 replies )
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