Along the way they deviate from the plans
that Bibi painstakingly created and got themselves into a huge mess of trouble
which includes eating food that disagreed with their bodies to disappearing
while out sight-seeing. While the group
is out exploring the land and buying trinkets to take home, a young member of
the group shows off some magic tricks to the natives. This in turn makes them believe he is what
they believe is the “Younger White Brother,” who they believe will save them
from repression. This story is as much about the tribe who kidnaps the
travelers as it is about the travelers.
The novel engulfs numerous other backstories on several of the character
no matter how minor they may seem.
There are still some aspects of the mystery
of magic, religion and the aspects of human nature we see analyzed in Tan other
novels, but Saving Fish From Drowning
takes on a more political view of things.
She discusses a lot of the aspects of Burmese and Chinese politics
through the things the travelers need to deal with when touring the
countries. While the imagery is
beautifully written and described with vivacity the jargon of politics took
away from the awe feeling within the novel.
While the novel doesn’t focus mainly on mother/daughter relationships
like many of her novels, there is still some aspects of that theme through the characters
of Esme and Marlena. So many Tan wasn’t
able to break away from her normal themes after all.
The characters all have characteristics
that we all can relate too. Bennie is
the one who wants to please everyone even if it means sacrificing himself (this
is who I related to the most), Mott is the show off while his son Rupert is the
adventurous young man (the one seen as the “Younger White Brother”). Marlena is a single mother who unknowingly
missed her daughter growing up trying to provide for her while her daughter
Esme is both annoyed with her mom, but loves her more than anything. Harry is the television playboy who simply
wants to be loved while Heidi is the cautious one who thinks ahead and is weary
of everything around her. Wendy is the
clingy girlfriend who tries to use every opportunity she can to be naughty with
Wyatt her boyfriend who simply doesn’t want to hurt her. Roxanna is the documentarian who wants to
document everything happening around them while her husband Dwight thinks he
knows everything about everything. Last
is Vera who simply wants to reconnect with her past. We all know people with these same
characteristics so it is easy to think of someone while reading about these
characters.
The novel is a great read with a lot of
rewarding elements, but it is also hard to get through. I personally had to push myself to get
through the political talk and see the story as it should be. The one quality
of the novel I enjoyed was Bibi Chan.
She was a unique character who tries to aid her friends but fails
because she cannot communicate with them.
She emits strong emotions and you feel them yourself as if you are Bibi
herself watching your friends. I do
suggest reading this novel if you are a fan of Amy Tan. If you have not read any of her work before I
would suggest another novel like maybe The
Kitchen God’s Wife or The Joy Luck
Club.
Pros: The book does deviate from Tan's typical theme.
Cons: There is a lot of political talk which seems to take away from the true story she is trying to tell.
Final Review: While Tan does stray from her normal themes she does stick with her unique style. She include great imagery of the surroundings and emotions of her characters.
Author: Amy Tan
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
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