ISBN: 0-385-24760-5 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com Amazon.co.uk
A streamlined and sometimes simplistic portrayal of a group of characters under stress, this novel gains from an appealing protagonist and a colorful setting.
Reviewed by David on September 19, 2004
Genre: Non-genre Fiction (Suspense)
Synopsis: Burma in the 1950's is not a safe place. Civil war, hunger and chaos are threatening locals and foreigners alike. Gen Ferris, a teenage daughter of missionaries who grew up in a Burmese village is well adopted to the local life. However, her father's death puts her in a precarious position, and she sets off on a dangerous jorney to the capital and thence to an aunt in New York whom she never met—her only living relative.
On the way, Gen will encounter dangers and wonders, and will take part in a struggle of a small group of foreigners caught up in a vicious civil war.
Full Review: The dangers and atmosphere are war-torn Burma are colorfully but sparingly described in this sometimes dreamy tale of a girl's short but remarkable journey. Despite the somtimes brutal reality, the tone is generally light, with touches of amusement and simple if appealing introspection. The supporting characters are interesting but predictable.
The mystical elements add to the charm of the narrative; added lightly in the almost trademark fashion of the author.
The whole is an enjoyable, colorful, tale of discovery and learning, with little grit but much charm.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1989, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group (Doubleday), April 1989, Cloth, 204 pages
ISBN: 0-385-24760-5 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com Amazon.co.uk