The Bonesetter's Daughter

This is a novel about mother and daughter relationships that although it is about Chinese culture, the relationship issues transcend cultures.  The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan covers many issues, not just those of mother-daughter issues.   There is murder and great harshness interweaved in the story.

The book is the story of LuLing and her daughter, Ruth.  But beyond those characters, there is the story of LuLing and her mother.  LuLing was born and raised in China; she came to the United States after World War II, married and had a child (Ruth).  Ruth grew up hearing stories of LuLing's childhood and how her caretaker, Precious Auntie, raised her.  However, as LuLing began to age and show signs of possible dementia, Ruth began to question LuLing's history, as she knew it.  She found narratives written by LuLing and began to piece together the truth of LuLing's past.  Ruth found that some of what LuLing was telling her that she had thought were signs of dementia were really the truth!

As Ruth began to understand LuLing's true past history, she began to understand her mother better and realized all that her mother had gone through.  That knowledge helped her to begin the healing of their relationship.

It was an interesting story, one that went back through generations, with secrets, betrayals, love, murders, etc.  We read the book for our book group and it made for a good discussion.