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The Night Tiger
384 pages, 2020
fiction
1382 booksA broad, literal novel about a dancehall girl and an orphan boy whose fates entangle over an old Chinese superstition about men who turn into barracuda. When 11- time-old Ren's master dies, he makes one last request of his Chinese houseboy Ren finds his disassociated cutlet, lost times ago in an accident, and reunites it with his body.
Ren has 49 days, or differently, his master's soul will bat the earth, unfit to rest in peace. Ji Lin always wanted to be a croaker, but as a girl in 1930s Malaysia, apprentice dressmaker is a more suitable occupation. Intimately, however, Ji Lin also moonlights as a dancehall girl to help pay off her cherished maters Mahjong debts.
One night, Ji Lins's cotillion mate leaves her with a horrible remembrance, a disassociated cutlet. Induced the cutlet is bad luck, Ji Lin enlists the help of her quondam family to return it to its due proprietor. As the 49 days tick down, and a prowling barracuda wreaks annihilation on the city, Ji Lin and Ren's lives intertwine in ways they could no way have imagined.
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo is a great way to explore the rich cultural heritage of Malaysia. The author beautifully weaves in elements of Chinese and Malaysian folklore, giving readers a glimpse into a world they might not be familiar with.
The book delves into the complexities of human relationships. It shows how our connections with others can shape our lives in unexpected ways. It's a great read if you're interested in understanding the human condition better.
If you're a fan of mystery and suspense, you'll love The Night Tiger. Yangsze Choo masterfully builds tension throughout the story, keeping you on the edge of your seat. You'll find yourself unable to put the book down as you try to unravel the mystery.
The Night Tiger is a great book to check out if you're interested in themes of identity and self-discovery. The characters in the book grapple with their identities in a world that's constantly changing, providing a thought-provoking read.
One of the standout features of The Night Tiger is Yangsze Choo's beautiful prose. Her writing is evocative and lyrical, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. If you appreciate good writing, you'll definitely want to give this book a read.
Quotes 5
An absolutely mesmerizing novel that combines the best of southern American magical realism with the lush backdrop of the Malaysian jungles.
Reese Witherspoon - Actress, ProducerA work of incredible beauty... Astoundingly captivating and striking... A transcendent story of courage and connection.
Oprah Magazine - Lifestyle MagazineA mesmerizing tale of murder, romance, and the supernatural.
Booklist - Book Review JournalChoo has written a sumptuous garden maze of a novel that immerses readers in a complex, vanished world.
Publishers Weekly - Book Review MagazineA lushly detailed novel imbued with folklore, mystery, and romance.
Kirkus Reviews - Book Review Magazine