Elizabeth (Lizzie) and Evangline English have come to Kashgar in 1923 with Lizzie's friend, Millicent, to be missionaries. Millicent has brought her Bible, and strong intentions; Lizzie has brought her Leica camera to photograph their story, and Evangeline has brought her diary for it is her plan to write a book, A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar, which Mr. Hatchett has promised to publish.
On the way to their destination, in the very beginning of the book, these women come upon a young girl giving birth. Millicent is able to help in the birthing process, but the severing of the umbilical cord is construed by the bystanders as a murder. Now they must hide away, in Kashgar, until it is decided what should be done with Millicent.
And the baby? She is taken by Eva, named Ai-Lien, and loved with all of Eva's heart.
Interspersed between this story, are chapters in present day London telling of Frieda, a young girl with a sorrowful past. Her parents have been 'victims' of the 1970's: believing in free love, freedom from possessions, freedom from religion, and consequently find themselves free from nothing. Frieda feels herself being pulled away from the romance she has shared with married Nicholas, and drawn toward the stranger, Tayeb, whom she has found sleeping outside her door one night.
This novel contains everything I love: a multi-layered story line, a puzzle to sort through, travel to exotic places, and the issues of adoption, faith, and love. It is absolutely beautifully written, a novel that I read in 24 hours because I could not put it down. This novel will not be available until July, 2012, so I thank Bloomsbury publishers for sending it my way. I cannot suggest it strongly enough, and I know it will surely be one of my favorite reads for the year.
You can visit author Suzanne Joinson's blog here and her website here.
This sounds like an enjoyable read & is there any reasoning explained as to the baby's name Ai Lien or Alien?
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this novel - exotic travel and adventure, and an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there's an Islamic city in China. This book sounds fascinating - I'm glad to know it's beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the sort of book I'd love too. Thanks for drawing it to my attention!
ReplyDeleteThis book is available on NetGalley and I added it to my wish list just because of the book description. I have been avoiding NetGalley because it can be a bit too addictive. I might break that and request this one, though. I am really excited about reading it!
ReplyDeleteNice review, Bellezza! I love the cover of the book too. I have always wanted to go to Kashgar - because it was a trading outpost in old times and has a huge bazaar on special days and it has been the setting for some of Jin Yong's (or Louis Cha as he is called in English) Kung fu novels (like for example, 'The Book and the Sword'). Now after reading your review, I want even more to travel there :)
ReplyDeleteI so wanted to get this one from NetGalley but they are only accepting American reviewers - I'm even more gutten about this after reading your review. On my wishlist it goes!
ReplyDeletesounds like an interesting travel book china still has so much we in the west want to learn ,all the best stu
ReplyDeletewow, a beautiful cover for what sounds like a stunning book!
ReplyDeleteThis is going on the list. (And I'm sighing over the part about reading it in one sitting. I need to do more of that!)
ReplyDeleteThis will go on my list for the future.
ReplyDelete"...a multi-layered story line, a puzzle to sort through, travel to exotic places, and the issues of adoption, faith, and love"-stirs interest. I'll look it up.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing some very early reviews, lately! Ack. Cat eating rubberband. Must go.
ReplyDeleteOkay, back to say I loved your review and this one's going on the wish list. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure going to put this on my list this year.... sounds fantasticly escapist and challenging. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds one of those books one must read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful. Thank you for mentioning it - I've added it to my wishlist and signed up for updates.
ReplyDeleteadded to my to do list, thx for the reviews.
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