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Book Review: What the Zhang Boys Know by Clifford Garstang & Giveaway (US/Canada)

October 24, 2012 by Darlene

What the Zhang Boys Know by Clifford Garstang was a surprise for me – a nice one!  What the Zhang Boys Know has twelve separate chapters with seemingly separate stories yet they all link together in some way to the residents living in the condo complex called  Nanking Mansion.  The Nanking Mansion is located on the edge of Chinatown in Washington, D.C. and it isn’t the greatest neighborhood but these arsty type residents don’t seem to notice it all too much.  This is a story that to me highlights how life goes on through its various ups and downs and as each day passes, another takes its place.

The book starts off with the Zhang family and they were my favorite and I’m quite sure I would have been happy with a whole book just about them.  Feng-qi, a single dad left with two young boys after his American wife dies in a tragic accident, is left reeling.  Eventually his father comes from China to live with them and care for the boys and along the way even his mother-in-law seems to be opening up some even though she strongly opposed her daughter’s marriage to Feng-qi.  Although Feng-qi has met another woman he still can’t forget his perfect wife and his boys even more so as they are convinced she is coming back.

Then there is a host of others living in the building, among them a painter, a sculptor, and a lawyer.  Another story I really liked was one of an older woman whose husband leaves her and she ends up having to sell her belongings because she can’t get a job.  She even turned to her younger sister for help even though she knew it would be thrown back at her.  There is the young Susanna who originally moves in with her boyfriend, becomes pregnant, and then kicks him out because she’s moved on with the painter.  The painter is a tormented soul for sure as he’s haunted by a face in a picture that he’s painted.

All of the characters in this novel are flawed, just as all human beings are.  They aren’t perfect; they are just trying to get through their lives the best they can.  I love how all the stories weaved together in some way as for me that is the one thing that really does make a book of short stories work.  I also liked how the Zhang boys, although young and not always understanding the real issues, could still give you a pretty good update on what was going on with everyone in the building.  It just goes to show how much the young ones really do absorb.  This was a good read for me.  I enjoyed the book and the author’s writing style and I look forward to reading more from him.

What the Zhang Boys Know by Clifford Garstang is touring with TLC Book Tours so be sure to check out the other tour stops!  You can connect with Clifford on his website and a copy of What the Zhang Boys Know can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of What the Zhang Boys Know by Clifford Garstang to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you do let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, November 10/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks, TLC Tours, Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bermudaonion(Kathy) says

    October 24, 2012 at 5:37 am

    I love flawed characters! This sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway.

  2. Linda B says

    October 24, 2012 at 7:23 am

    Based on the cover I would have passed this by. But your review has caused me to put this book on the wish list. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.

    And I am a follower, through Google Reader.

  3. Anne says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:06 am

    Thanks for this great giveaway. Your review captivated me. I subscribe via e-mail.

  4. Sandra K321 says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:30 am

    This sounds a bit different; I would enjoy reading it.

  5. Sandra K321 says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:30 am

    I subscribe to your blog via Google RSS as Sandra K321

  6. ellie says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:34 am

    An interesting book. Wonderful review. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  7. Margie says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:16 am

    This book sounds fascinating.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  8. Margie says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Blog follower by GFC, email, Facebook

  9. Karen B says

    October 24, 2012 at 11:10 am

    This sounds like a great change-of-pace book to read!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  10. Karen B says

    October 24, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Follow by email, GFC, FB and Networked blogs.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  11. rhonda says

    October 24, 2012 at 11:37 am

    I hadn`t read about this book thanks for giveaway.I am follower will tweet at rhondareads

  12. JJT says

    October 24, 2012 at 11:48 am

    This book sounds so interesting. I will tweet – @readsalways. Thank you.

  13. Lisa Garrett says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    I too love flawed characters. This sounds very interesting.

  14. Lisa Garrett says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    I follow via gfc and email.

  15. Carol Wong says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    The boys sound human! I like that you like the writer’s style, sounds good.

  16. Carol Wong says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    I follow you with GFC.

  17. Carol Wong says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    I tweeted: http://t.co/lvBqT0EE

  18. Jenna Evans says

    October 24, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Sounds like a great read- your review is great!
    I follow your blog too.

  19. Carl says

    October 24, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway. I’ve been interested in the Zhang Boys ever since I first heard about the book. Pleas enter my name for the chance to win.

    I follow this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/261262256803823616

    Thanks again!

  20. Jenners says

    October 24, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    This does sound good!

  21. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    October 24, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    Hey babe – How’s your dad doing?

  22. zibilee says

    October 25, 2012 at 8:54 am

    This is a book that I am intensely interested in, after reading a few reviews, coupled with yours. I would love the chance to read this one, so please do enter me Dar, and thanks for the incredible review!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  23. Kitty says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    Thanks for letting us know about this book. I put it on my TBR and WL.

  24. Kitty says

    October 25, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    email subscriber, friends/like you on FB and follow on twitter @maynekitty

  25. kimbacaffeinate says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    This sounds interesting and I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  26. ANN*H says

    October 27, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    From your review it sounds like a book I would like to read. Thanks

  27. ANN*H says

    October 27, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I am a email subscriber
    amhengst at verizon dot net

  28. ANN*H says

    October 27, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    GFC follower also – amhengst

  29. Staci says

    October 28, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    I’m always drawn to flawed characters and the fact that the stories intertwine with each other sounds good.

  30. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    October 28, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for being on the tour.

  31. Beth C says

    October 30, 2012 at 6:54 am

    I’d really like to read this. The characters sound so interesting.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  32. Beth C says

    October 30, 2012 at 6:54 am

    I am a follower.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  33. Maureen says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    It looks like a unique book.

  34. Maureen says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I follow on GFC

  35. Maureen says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/265586188075806720

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