Catherine Lim explores some of these dilemmas through her characters but, in the end, the dictates of a romantic story line take precedence over more serious issues. Which is a pity, because Lim writes well and sensitively and could well have lifted the book out of the rather crowded 'Chinese culture genre' to which it will inevitably be assigned. Novels based on Asian cultures by Asian authors, however, are immensely popular at the moment and both these books provide vivid insight into lives lived according to Asian traditions and beliefs. Catherine Lim is a good story-teller, she draws the reader into unfamiliar worlds and provides enough tantalizing and unusual situations in her characters' lives to keep you reading to the end. Both books essentially light reading, and if you are female and love a good love-story, both will appeal.
Standard disclaimers apply.