Rated of 5
by Susan P. (Boston, MA) Disordered Lives from Disordered Language
Aphasia literally means "no speech," but neurologists define it as a "language disorder." This nicely conveys the disorder to some lives that bilingual aphasia creates for several people.
From a traumatic brain injury, a successful young Shanghai businessman loses his ability to speak/write in his dominant, but second, language (Chinese) while being able to speak his first language, English (bilingual aphasia). Truculent at first to work on his rehabilitation, he improbably changes toward those who speak English and those who don't. His relationship with his wife was confounding but fascinating, and I wondered: Were they becoming the people they always were, deep down? And does the American neurologist, an authority but a naive person, help at all?
A fascinating but clear-eyed view of contemporary Shanghai (the heat, food, ex-pat community, buildings) as well as the flawed people making mistakes and the others observing them.
Very enjoyable and compelling insights into an amazing city and its people. A good "you are there" feeling -- enough to make you talk to the characters to say, "Aw, stop, don't do that.."
Rated of 5
by Dianne S. (Green Valley, AZ) The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai
I was drawn to this book by it's subject matter and location. In those aspects I was not disappointed. I was though disappointed in how slow the book started out and how when you thought it was finally going to take off it didn't.
The characters and their relationships were beautifully developed, but I never felt they grew.
The descriptions of Shanghai were enlightening and did make me want to read more.
Overall I think The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai is a good first book and I would read more by this author.
Rated of 5
by Carrie (Albany, NY) voyage in a novel
The setting truly captured me in this novel. I was carried away to Shanghai and riveted with the descriptions of the place. It's a lovely first novel sure to appeal to fans of multicultural fiction.
Rated of 5
by Karla S. (Dana Point, CA) "How can we be friends if we don't communicate?"
This book is about how isolated each character feels when they are unable to communicate with one another. An explosion tore apart the Li family and they had to rebuild, learn how to live with loss, grief, betrayal and redemption. Beyond the family there is portrayed the culture clashes between the immigrants, expats, and the Shanghai population. This first novel shows Ruiyan Xu to be a gifted novelist who understands her subject. I hope we soon find other books by this author. This book is one I could not put down until I finished the last page.
Rated of 5
by Andrea L. (Cottonwood Heights, UT) Beautifully written
Received for review from Bookbrowse First Impressions Program.
This is a beautifully written novel exploring the intricacies and dependency humans have on language and how their limitations can project into daily choices. The characters are well developed and layered with subtlety, and the story proceeds at a comfortable pace. Xu's style is lyrical and full of imagery and symbolism.
Unable to return to life as he knew it, Li Jing, turns to the most welcoming option available to him after a freak accident robs him of his ability to speak Chinese. Rediscovering his life through the English language he knew as a child alienates him from his wife and child, and cripples his ability to function in his city and his formerly successful life.
Unable to express himself with the nuance and subtlety that is integral to the Chinese language, Li Jing is attracted to the unsubtle but comprehensible American doctor who has been brought over to treat his Aphasia. She is the antithesis of his wife Meiling, fire to ice. And as he is drawn to her nurturing warmth, he becomes more and more alien to his former life.
Li Jing must make a choice: to live in utter isolation while his frighteningly competent wife charges ahead; or escape to a situation where he can communicate his needs in English and leave his family, language, and culture.
Rated of 5
by Jane A. (Lakeport, Ca) The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai
I felt that this was going to be a good book, and I wasn't disappointed! I take 'communication' for granted, and it was fascinating to see how this story developed in a small family for whom this essential tie was disrupted when the head of the household was afflicted with 'bilingual aphasia'. The author handled the telling in a detailed, yet gentle manner, and each facet of the story compelled the reader to go on to the next.
I found the writing to be quite good in itself. I will definitely recommend this book to my two book clubs!
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by Susan P. (Boston, MA) 
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by Dianne S. (Green Valley, AZ) 
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by Carrie (Albany, NY) 
