A provocative novel from the bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter’s Daughter. On an ill-fated art expedition into the southern Shan state of Burma, eleven Americans leave their Floating Island Resort for a Christmas-morning tour and disappear. Through twists of fate, curses, and just plain human error, they find themselves deep in the jungle, where they encounter a tribe … where they encounter a tribe awaiting the return of the leader and the mythical book of wisdom that will protect them from the ravages and destruction of the Myanmar military regime.
Saving Fish from Drowning seduces the reader with a fagade of Buddhist illusions, magician’s tricks, and light comedy, even as the absurd and picaresque spiral into a gripping morality tale about the consequences of intentions—both good and bad—and about the shared responsibility that individuals must accept for the actions of others.
A pious man explained to his followers: “It is evil to take lives and noble to save them. Each day I pledge to save a hundred lives. I drop my net in the lake and scoop out a hundred fishes. I place the fishes on the bank, where they flop and twirl. ‘Don’t be scared,’ I tell those fishes. ‘I am saving you from drowning.’ Soon enough, the fishes grow calm and lie still. Yet, sad to say, I am always too late. The fishes expire. And because it is evil to waste anything, I take those dead fishes to market and I sell them for a good price. With the money I receive, I buy more nets so I can save more fishes.”
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One of my favorite books of all time.
Amy Tan never disappoints!
Can’t go wrong with Amy Tan!
This was a strange book. There were moments I wanted to know what was next and moments I wanted to stop reading all together. I did not really like any of the characters so struggled with caring what happened. The title was explained about mid-book and the lesson that sometimes something does not need saving (or changing) even though you as an outsider think it does.
wonderful cultural references
Love the history of the story
Couldn’t get through it and I usually love Amy sTan’s books
Very good novel this author has written other novels and she does a wonderful job with all of them
I have mixed feeling about this book. Amy Tam is a great writer and the writing in this book is wonderful but I felt the story was slow to unfold.
It started out so well, with quirky characters and a mystery. Then it turned it to ugly Americans travelling in Asia. I quit about half-way through
Drags along. Concept is interesting but it’s difficult to stay engaged.
I was trying to change my pace, but it didn’t work. Amy did a great job with this book, and it was well written. I did read the whole thing, respecting her tale, but I must admit the subject matter couldn’t really capture me.
I looked forward to reading about the lives of a group of people who were lost in the rain forest. Instead, a majority of the book is about the narrator’s life and death. I would be hesitant to read other books read by this author.
Amy Tan is one of my favorite authors and this may be my favorite of all her books. She writes masterfully and ironically.
It takes place in Burma. I read it when it first came out and don’t remember the entire story, but I remember that I liked it and that I thought that I would reread it later. That time has come!
Thought provoking
It was a tragic book, loved the time period, characters were strong, you felt drama that was about to unfold. It was good read.
Amy tan never disappoints
Excellent storytelling, well paced. Always eager to get back to the characters and their lives.
I read adn love anything by Amy Tan