A Many -Splendored Thing

This is a book from a different age when it was possible to develop a theme more slowly but it remains a beautifully constructed many-layered novel. On the surface it is a love story but there is a fascinating historical perspective that is of particular interest as China's importance grows. Beneath those aspects is the insight into class and race prejudice that is as relevant today as it was in Hong Kong in the fifties. The book is strongly autobiographical yet remains a novel. Any reader would identify with or recognise characters from their own world. I can recommend this book to readers with the time to enjoy beautiful descriptive writing and a gentle yet thoroughly absorbing story of great humanity.

I have read and re-read this book for many years. I love the way the Han Suyin describes all the details of her surroundings. Having lived in Hong Kong as an ex-pat I believe she paints an accurate picture of the complex relationship between caucasians and Chinese living in Hong Kong. The book is wordy and gets off to a slow start but it is well worth the read. It is a fairly mild romance with a strong message attached. If you are looking for a more intense romance, try Han Suyin's fiction "The Mountain Is Young".

I think the book is better than the movie. How can you translate some words to the big screen? There is no way. Han Suyin has a way with the words that goes straight to the heart. My only regret is that the book is out of print.

Actually, I have never read this book. I know it because I've seen the movie "Love is a many splendored thing" which is based on the novel by Han Suyin. Currently, I bought a tape in one of the videostores and watch it all over again and never tired of seeing it.I'm just curious about the book and I want to have a copy of it and to know if there's any similarity between the film and the book.I just want it so badly because it really strucked me. Thanks a lot and I 'm sorry for interrupting your review contest