The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel Audiobook

" I was excited to read this novel, as I have a keen interest in language and medicine. While the beginning of the novel maintained my interest, as the plot veered towards the expected but unfortunate, I became disaffected. Strong term that true; I just couldn't bear witness to the characters' dissolution. I imagine their redemption awaits; I just won't know for sure... Apologies if this is a spoiler. "

" Let's give this one a 2.5. It's a first novel and it reads like one. Flowery descriptions, banal plot lines, surface characterizations. It starts of interesting (the 3) with a brain injury, aphasia, and family dynamics. Then it devolves (the 2) into a love triangle without purpose. I kept having to put the book down and take a break before reading more. But at least I had enough motivation to finish it. "

" I bought this book without knowing much about it. I thought it would go much more into the language therapy and the difficulties faced by Li Jing on his way to recovery. Unfortunately, the book explains very little about the therapy and instead focuses on a pretty standard love story. So, I am giving it a 2* for its descriptions of Shanghai and China's country side, but as far as the story goes, I found it very mediocre. "

" This book is really terrible. I was horrified by the story, but not in the way that the author intended... this book is about a hugely inappropriate doctor. Seriously, what kind of professional acts like that? Moving in with her patient, going to the spa and shopping with the patient's wife... oh it goes on and on and gets even worse. I shudder to think of it. "

" Such a beautifully written book with real characters. "

" I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. I was very surprised that I had won a book. Thanks again for the book.I will share it with my friends. "

" The plot of this book turned out to be different than what I anticipated. No matter, I learned much about Shanghai, brain injury, and language. The change in some of the characters through the course of the novel was a bit surprising as well. "

" Things happen in the book that are not believable or are not consistent with the character. Also, the short time period covered by the book is unrealistic. One of the main characters is dropped from the final chapters. Overall, I do not recommend this book. "

" Whilst the plot was promising, it really could've been written better. I believe the author uses too many broken sentences, and its utilisation only hampered the delivery of the story. "

" Interesting premise- a man loses his ability to speak Chinese (he is bilingual) yet he can understand the language and can only speak the English he learned as a child.... "

" Credits to the attempt in delineating bilingual aphasic patients' recovery process. However, description is too overt and merely in-depth in leading readers to understand the psyche of each and every characters. The language is not espececially beautiful either. "

" Won this book from first reads. After a gas explosion and an injury, a man looses his ability to speak his language of Chinese. Now with not being able to communicate with anyone in his family and everyday life, they seek help with a American doctor and then the story enfolds. "

" Beautifully written. Steady pace that suits the story which is more of a fable than a fairy tale. "

" I thought it was an interesting treatment of being identified by something and then have it taken from you. It was an insight into Chinese culture. "

" I really liked this book. What a concep......, loosing ability to speak a language "

" Loved the writing, author had me "seeing" Shanghai. I have been there and she showed me parts I forgot/never saw. The story irritated me some as communication is more than spoken word. But the emotions protrayed at not being able to communicate and losing so much was very moving. "

" a poignant story about the importance of love and communication in a marriage...especially one that appears perfect "

" started out really well but soon became disjointed. characters just weren't believable "

" I was going to give this book 4 stars...until towards the end...Won't tell you why in case you decide to read it, but it made me mad. So now it gets just 2. "

" Loved the writing, author had me "seeing" Shanghai. I have been there and she showed me parts I forgot/never saw. The story irritated me some as communication is more than spoken word. But the emotions protrayed at not being able to communicate and losing so much was very moving. "

" This was a bit slow, but the writing was beautiful and the characters were compelling even if their every little action wasn't. "

" I thought it was an interesting treatment of being identified by something and then have it taken from you. It was an insight into Chinese culture. "

" Such a good book about how losing the power of speech affects ones whole life. "