Saving Fish from Drowning (ISBN 1597377317)

Amazon.com Review:
Amy Tan, who has an unerring eye for relationships between mothers and daughters, especially Chinese-American, has departed from her well-known genre in Saving Fish From Drowning. She would be well advised to revisit that theme which she writes about so well. The title of the book is derived from the practice of Myanmar fishermen who "scoop up the fish and bring them to shore. They say they are saving the fish from drowning. Unfortunately... the fish do not recover," This kind of magical thinking or hypocrisy or mystical attitude or sheer stupidity is a fair metaphor for the entire book. It may be read as a satire, a political statement, a picaresque tale with several "picaros" or simply a story about a tour gone wrong. Bibi Chen, San Francisco socialite and art vendor to the stars, plans to lead a trip for 12 friends: "My friends, those lovers of art, most of them rich, intelligent, and spoiled, would spend a week in China and arrive in Burma on Christmas Day." Unfortunately, Bibi dies, in very strange circumstances, before the tour begins. After wrangling about it, the group decides to go after all. The leader they choose is indecisive and epileptic, a dangerous combo. Bibi goes along as the disembodied voice-over. Once in Myanmar, finally, they are noticed by a group of Karen tribesmen who decide that Rupert, the 15-year-old son of a bamboo grower is, in fact, Younger White Brother, or The Lord of the Nats. He can do card tricks and is carrying a Stephen King paperback. These are adjudged to be signs of his deity and ability to save them from marauding soldiers. The group is "kidnapped," although they think they are setting out for a Christmas Day surprise, and taken deep into the jungle where they languish, develop malaria, learn to eat slimy things and wait to be rescued. Nats are "believed to be the spirits of nature--the lake, the trees, the mountains, the snakes and birds. They were numberless ... They were everywhere, as were bad luck and the need to find reasons for it." Philosophy or cynicism? This elusive point of view is found throughout the novel--a bald statement is made and then Tan pulls her punches as if she is unwilling to make a statement that might set a more serious tone. There are some goofy parts about Harry, the member of the group who is left behind, and his encounter with two newswomen from Global News Network, some slapstick sex scenes and a great deal of dog-loving dialogue. These all contribute to a novel that is silly but not really funny, could have an occasionally serious theme which suddenly disappears, and is about a group of stereotypical characters that it's hard to care about. It was time for Amy Tan to write another book; too bad this was it. --Valerie Ryan

Big disappointment:
I have loved all previous Amy Tan books. I was hoping all the negative reviews were not true. This book, however is terrible. It's very long and it was hard to get through. Don't waste your time.

not one of her best:
The Bonesetter's Daughter outshines this novel. I felt the plot was contrived and predictable and sometimes a little overwritten. I hope Tan takes a step back and returns to her rich and riveting style for the next one.

Loved it!:
I hadn't read any reviews of the book before picking up a library copy and I read it non-stop. I really did enjoy the whole set up of the trip with Bibi's death, the characters, and the setting in Burma. I've read one of Amy Tan's prior books, but love this one the best. I'm sorry that some did not enjoy and I did not understand their criticisms - I bought a hard cover version to keep after I had read it.

I just can't put it down:
From the 1st page, I have not been able to put this book down. The characters are well defined and I found myself wanting to know more about them. As they got to Burma, I loved the details Ms. Tan gave about the travelers experiences and thoughts about their surroundings. The underlying political message about Myanmar is a gentle reminder that there are still places in this world where people are not free and treatly poorly by those in control.

A Wonderful Adventure!:
I picked this book up on a hunch in an airport book store, and I'm so happy I did. If I had read these reviews I would have missed this funny and sly adventure tale. I am in awe of Amy Tan's skill.