Perhaps I am not a candidate for coming of age tales even though Li is a favorite author for other titles. Lovely writing and a good start but midway I lost interest and my detachment had me close the book. Other library patrons were lining up.

Very easy to read and the plot kept me reading, but in the end, I’m not sure I understood it. ( )

i don't get it ( )

3.75/5 stars rounded to 4 stars

I found the first third of this book to be brilliant and was thoroughly invested in Fabienne and Agnes's relationship. However, as the story progressed, I felt as if I was growing distant from the connection I had immediately made with those two characters. I couldn't help but feel that the back end of this book felt rushed. For a book just under 350 pages, it didn't feel like a whole lot happened.. or rather, a lot happened but none of it felt overly impactful. There was so much more that I wanted from these characters and this narrative, but none of those things were fully fleshed out or brought to light. I'm eager to read more of Yiyun Li's work as I found her writing incredibly stunning. While I did really enjoy this book, I think I just expected a tad bit more. ( )

Agnés and Fabienne were wild children, outcasts by choice, daring all, at least in their own minds. Years later, Agnés reflects on what made Fabienne so special and how their hopes and dreams, which were really Fabienne’s hopes and dreams, got tangled in the grasping aspirations of adults in the “real” world. Even the lovely idea of writing a book together gets corrupted. Though perhaps Fabienne could see what might be coming when she chose to insist that no one know of her involvement in Agnés’ stories.

Most of this novel is a linear remembrance by Agnés of those few years of their youth when she catapulted to fame as a supposed child prodigy author. But her greatest regret was that their game ended up separating these two bosom friends. Agnés endures mistreatment and worse at the hands of adults in Paris and later in England. Always though she longs to return to her friend, Fabienne.

This is wonderful writing by Yiyun Li. Fresh and alive, yet as might be expected, full of insight into the very nature of composition and creativity and more. I found Agnés’ story to be fully captivating, though I wished there were more of Fabienne especially in the latter half of the novel. Her driving force, once removed, cuts both Agnés and the novel adrift, at the mercy of a thoroughly unpleasant character in Mrs Townsend. And this probably contributes to the feeling that the ending is less than what one might hope. Even you can’t put your finger on exactly what it is you were hoping for.

Easily recommended, though with slight reservations. ( )