In an effort to make transitions in time seamless, The Courtesan is told in six parts—and all are riveting. Curry's storytelling is almost lyrical, and while she isn't yet ready to be compared to the likes of Tan, See, or Golden, she is no doubt on her way to carving out her own name among them.
I went into this book hesitant, unsure based on other reviewers comparing this to the much loved Memoirs of a Geisha. There are certainly similarities, but the fact is that the story of Sai Jinhua predates Memoirs and, while Curry's telling of it is, the story itself is not a new one. This makes juxtaposition a bit unfair and, because I was aware of this, I was able to read The Courtesan with fresh perspective.
And I loved it.
It's raw and gritty without sacrificing hope and delicacy in our heroine. Despite her circumstances, Sai Jinhua is somehow relatable and authentic. While the material isn't ground-breaking, the dialogue is wonderful, the story itself is gripping, and the writing style is divinely expressive. It's truly enjoyable—and I look forward to seeing what this author follows it with.
I'd like to thank Net Galley and the publisher Twenty7 for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which this certainly is.
FIVE STARS
Amazon Link: The Courtesan: A Novel
This post contains an affiliate link, which means that if you click on the Amazon link and buy the book, I may receive a commission.
No comments:
Post a Comment