Review

WARNING: This is not the actual book The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan. Do not buy this Review if you are looking for a full copy of this great book.Read this literary review of The Valley of Amazement to find out how critics and other readers received Amy Tan's latest novel.In Amy Tan's The Valley of Amazement, Violet is familiar with the life of a courtesan, as her mother runs a popular house in Shanghai. Surrounded by the British-American settlement, Violet is surprised to learn that she is half Chinese. After being kidnapped at the age of 14 and forced to work at another courtesan house, the protagonist continuously struggles with her identity and role as a woman in pre-communist China. The tumultuous culture of early 20th-century Shanghai adds to the conflict going on in Violet's life. Amy Tan's thorough research shines through as she depicts the sex trade and culture within Shanghai's International Settlement. The portrayal of the relationship between Violet and her mother creates a highly relatable protagonist. The Valley of Amazement is geared more toward adults due to its graphic scenes of sexual content and violence. Readers gain insight into familial relationships, different cultures, and the strength and survival of women. Witness Violet transform as she struggles with her personal identity while immersed in a world of cultural turmoil in The Valley of Amazement.