I just finished reading "the girl who played go" by Shan Sa several hours ago. Honestly... the only reason the ending didn't make a tearful mess out of me is that I don't cry because of books/movies anymore. But if there's one book I've read that was worth that, it would be this one. I want to remember how I felt when I finished reading it... I'll try to keep this book close. I also feel it's way, way less popular than it deserves. It has everything - a cleverly creative style, powerful historical and cultural references (I feel more educated from reading this book, even a little), well-rounded realistic characters, romance, turns of events, things that make you want more... Like the Chinese/Japanese culture itself (or should I say my understanding of it), this book has the beauty of words and the calculated touch of emotions, only seldom interrupted by a strong show of what is beyond the actions. The ending is somewhat unexpected and definitely the superlative of everything in this book. Everything just becomes more and more powerful through start to end, and I would say this is more poetic than a lot of the poetry I have read (and I have read much). I feel the need to express just how much it has touched me and I can't do this book justice. I would strongly recommend it to anyone.

The author uses a unique writing style to show the perspectives of the two main characters, who shared understanding, admiration, and maybe even romantic feelings through the game of Go. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and couldn't put it down! Never a moment of boredom with this book.

The book is not about the game of Go. The game is just the catalyst of the book. Without the game there would be no story but the game itself is not the center of the book. Very interesting relationship in war of the girl and the soldier.

This novel is perhaps the most sophisticated, sensual, tragic, uplifting, and horrifying examination of the experience of love that I have read. The complexity of emotions in the awakening womanhood of a teenaged Chinese girl at the onset of China's "War of Resistance" against Japan in the 1930s, as well as the poetic quality of the author's prose, at least in the original French version, make this a novel to remember and to reread. The tale of the heroine, Night Song (Chant de nuit), whose name appears only on the next to last page, is paralleled by that of the young Japanese army officer of samurai origin, whose uncritical acceptance of his nation's wartime imperialist outlook is put to the test when he must suddenly and unexpectedly choose between an act of terrible bestiality and one of transcending humanity.

As a reasonably strong amateur Go player(3 kyu), I found the author's usage, and knowledge, of the game very limited. The gameplay could have been used to give more insight into the two main characters and their relationship, but instead was used only as a plot device to bring them together. I also did not like the girl, who came off as selfish and immature; the Japanese soldier's side of the story was more compelling. Because of the constant switching between perspectives, the narrative becomes a little disjointed, but the major problem is the florid writing. The shockingly brutal ending was suitably dramatic, however, and redeemed the book for me a little. If you like overheated romances set in WWII China, then this isn't a bad read. Everybody else can probably pass.