I seem to be drawn to the novels of Amy Tan. I’m unsure of the exact allure, but I find her style of writing deep and compelling. She often writes with a rawness that can feel a bit gritty, but at the same time it makes the novel feel more real and attractive. I love the way she ties history and culture into her stories, it is an added appeal (for me at least.)
Also, having two amazing daughters of my own, as well as a deep love and respect for my mother, I especially enjoy how beautifully Tan writes about mother-daughter relationships. I find the realness and emotion in her novels to be delightful. I hope I’ll have the time to read more of here work some day.

Here are what I find to be her most alluring books:

(Click pictures and titles for more info.)

“The Valley of Amazement”
This story is about two women’s with intertwined fates. It explores in inner workings of the Shanghai courtesan houses, the collapse of China’s last imperial dynasty, and other events centered around WWII. I found the novel deeply engrossing. A very well written story.
Rated 3.6 on amazon.com

“The Joy Luck Club”
This novel was Amy Tan’s first best-seller and was made into a very well known and successful film. Four mothers, four daughters, four families whose histories shift with the four winds depending on who’s “saying” the stories.
Rated 4.2 on amazon.com

“The bonesetter’s Daughter”
This book is about Ruth Young , a 40-ish ghostwriter in San Francisco. It follows her as she struggles to come to terms with her mother (LuLing,) who has Alzheimers disease. Ruth stumbles upon LuLing’s memoirs, and much of the book consist these memoirs.
Rated 4.1 on amazon.com

“The Hundred Secret Senses”
I have not read this book yet and it is high up on my TBR list. I am so intrigued, not only by it’s beautiful design and good ratings, but also the story line. This taken from amazon reviews: Tan spins the tale of two sisters, two cultures, and several acts of betrayal. Knowing Tan’s style, I am looking forward to reading this novel.
Rated 4.3  on amazon.com

Book Bean: Jasmine Tea
Indulge in the sweet aroma & divine flavor of jasmine tea.
Beautiful on it’s own, but also good with a swirl of honey. 

Have you read any of Amy Tan’s work?
If so what do you like/dislike about her writing?

Fun Fact: When Tan was 15 years old, her older brother Peter and father both died of brain tumors within eight months of each other. Daisy moved Amy and her younger brother John Jr. to Switzerland, where Amy finished high school at the Institute Monte Rosa, Montreux. During this period in her life, Amy learned about her mother’s former marriage to an abusive man in China, of their four children (a son who died as a toddler and three daughters), and how her mother was forced to leave her children from a previous marriage behind in Shanghai. This incident was the basis for Tan’s first novel, 1989 New York Times bestseller The Joy Luck Club.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Tan