tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post4442512144718088969..comments2024-03-02T14:54:21.802-05:00Comments on The happily ever after . . .: REVIEW: Bound by Donna Jo NapoliChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-37342537753031809592012-07-06T12:08:18.064-04:002012-07-06T12:08:18.064-04:00Hi Marie,
It was well over three years ago that I ...Hi Marie,<br />It was well over three years ago that I read and reviewed this book, so my memory of the details on life in China during this time period is rather rusty at this point. I can say, however, that the treatment and expectation of a woman's role in society is well crafted in the story. A daughter who is deformed or lacking in some way and hence not marriageable is then a burden to her family and often mistreated, abused or at the very least exploited.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-14066005955439160082012-07-03T21:28:27.178-04:002012-07-03T21:28:27.178-04:00In your words how would you say china life was lik...In your words how would you say china life was like based on this book. I know one was the binding of the feet but what else.Marienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-47640022902943348792012-05-11T09:58:06.660-04:002012-05-11T09:58:06.660-04:00Hi Summar! Thanks for reading my review and taking...Hi Summar! Thanks for reading my review and taking the time to leave a comment. I'm afraid, however, that you have me mistaken for someone else.. even the author, perhaps? I'm just a reader who read this lovely book and wrote a review for it in hopes of encouraging other readers to pick it up. Anyway, I'm so glad to hear you read it and loved it, too! :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-16066423475202956452012-05-08T22:44:24.034-04:002012-05-08T22:44:24.034-04:00You came to my Middle school almost 6-7 years ago ...You came to my Middle school almost 6-7 years ago and told us about this book I read it the next year before High school and loved it!! Thank you for coming to my school and telling us all about your trip to china.Summarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815925338953963403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-64576607456238134402010-12-14T14:11:12.861-05:002010-12-14T14:11:12.861-05:00Hi x0xwhitelinkx0x!
Thanks so much for reading my...Hi x0xwhitelinkx0x! <br />Thanks so much for reading my review of <i>Bound</i> and taking the time to leave a comment. I read this book nearly two years ago, so I reread my own review to refresh my memory and I was instantly reminded of how much I enjoyed this tale. <br /><br />Donna Jo Napoli's writing is very poetic and she has a wonderful talent for drawing such a vivid portrait of the lives of the people in this ancient time and place. <br /><br />I've been thinking that perhaps the ending of the story is appropriate after all. I mean, you and I are modern women, so naturally we want Xing Xing to be able to be completely independent... but that would be far too unrealistic for even a fairy tale of this time period. So if we put ourselves into Xing Xing's world, I think we couldn't ask for a better ending to her story as I think the Prince will treat her with the respect she wants and deserves and most likely will allow her to exercise her will as much as --if not more so-- than most women of her time. What do you think? <br /><br />All the best with your research paper! :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-48391115129136011692010-12-11T17:05:26.862-05:002010-12-11T17:05:26.862-05:00I JUST read and finished this story yesterday. I l...I JUST read and finished this story yesterday. I love Donna Jo Napoli's books! I think this was a wonderful story. I agree too, i wish the ending was different. I loved the part in the story where she decribes a poem of the koi, "golden eyes that are sparkling wet" i love the imagery/descriptive words in the book. I'm actually doing a research paper on the book now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-86682874042400663032009-02-20T14:34:00.000-05:002009-02-20T14:34:00.000-05:00Awesome review. I never heard of this author. Mayb...Awesome review. I never heard of this author. Maybe because she writes (mostly) YA? But I like retellings of fairy tales and I like "shades of gray" stories so I put this book on my list of books to look out for. :)<BR/><BR/>I first heard about the tradition of binding women's feet in a novel by Penelope Williamson. If I remember correctly, it was used quite effectively to show the development of a secondary character in the novel (letting go of tradition and embracing her new life in America).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-76748488633909600862009-02-20T11:27:00.000-05:002009-02-20T11:27:00.000-05:00Renee:: The narrarator sang the singing parts. Wow...Renee:: The narrarator sang the singing parts. Wow. That probably made the audiobook that much more vivid. Very interesting. Maybe I'll read <I>Book of a Thousand Days</I> for next month's YA Challenge. <BR/><BR/>Tracy:: Thank you!!! :)<BR/><BR/>Sarai:: I hope you do get a chance to check this book out. It's very likely that your public library has it.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-51231358545839179312009-02-20T11:19:00.000-05:002009-02-20T11:19:00.000-05:00wow I might have to pick this one out! It sounds w...wow I might have to pick this one out! It sounds wonderful thanks for the reviewSaraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203551997160640352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-22774670637642902292009-02-19T14:21:00.000-05:002009-02-19T14:21:00.000-05:00Wow - excellent review Christine. I just love rea...Wow - excellent review Christine. I just love reading your reviews - they're always so insightful.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320961506471746567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-46565060024686605672009-02-18T23:13:00.000-05:002009-02-18T23:13:00.000-05:00I actually listened to the audiobook of Book of a ...I actually listened to the audiobook of Book of a Thousand Days. It was really cool because the main character sings these healing songs, and the narrator actually sings them.<BR/><BR/>It was the first one by SH I'd read, but Princess Academy also looked good!Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026384330126049496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-22553831691989837742009-02-18T23:07:00.000-05:002009-02-18T23:07:00.000-05:00Lea:: Thanks. Bound is a unique retelling. I reall...Lea:: Thanks. <I>Bound</I> is a unique retelling. I really enjoyed it and was also educated on the tradition of binding women's feet. It seems like such a horribly tragic custom, yet women <I>wanted</I> to do it. I think it was honorable, you know? <BR/><BR/>orannia:: I think you'd like this story and am thinking it is probably readily available in a lot of libraries. <BR/><BR/>Keishon:: I'm definitely interested in Ms. Napoli's other works, particularly her retelling of traditional Western fairy tales in different cultures. I visited the author's website and she has a very extensive list of published works! <BR/><BR/>azteclady:: Thank you very much! I'm thrilled that I was able to stir such a response with my review. <BR/><BR/>Renee:: Oh! We have that Shannon Hale book! In fact, I almost read it instead of <I>Bound</I>. I'll have to move it up the YA TBR pile. Have you read Hale's <I>Princess Academy</I>? It was also very good. I've always wanted to read <I>Goose Girl</I> and <I>Enna Burning</I>, as well! So many books, so little time....Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-23720100330780707442009-02-18T19:02:00.000-05:002009-02-18T19:02:00.000-05:00Great review! I like fairly tale themed stories. T...Great review! I like fairly tale themed stories. This book reminds me of <I>Book of a Thousand Days</I> by Shannon Hale (also YA) and is based on a Grimm fairy tale. While not in a Chinese setting, it was definitely set in a culture informed by Mongolia.<BR/><BR/>This sounds like a book I should pick up for my niece! :-)Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026384330126049496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-7017903462628502972009-02-18T19:01:00.000-05:002009-02-18T19:01:00.000-05:00What an amazing review, Christine.wow, I'm all shi...What an amazing review, Christine.<BR/><BR/>wow, I'm all shivery.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing this.aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-89365438039133672452009-02-18T18:50:00.000-05:002009-02-18T18:50:00.000-05:00I have several books by her in my stacks here. Int...I have several books by her in my stacks here. Interesting. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-15964745810653174092009-02-18T17:50:00.000-05:002009-02-18T17:50:00.000-05:00I'm going to echo was Lea said - what a wonderful ...I'm going to echo was Lea said - what a wonderful review. Thank you!<BR/><BR/>I love books that are more grey than black/white. I'm going to keep an eye out for this :)oranniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14007355589161084262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-76491445188159427552009-02-18T17:41:00.000-05:002009-02-18T17:41:00.000-05:00What a wonderful review of a unique story Christin...What a wonderful review of a unique story Christine. Thank you. <BR/><BR/>It truly sounds like a touching novel. <BR/><BR/>(((hugs)))<BR/>LLeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11521584458356470972noreply@blogger.com