Book review
I hope I can put into words how this book touched me. I don’t expect I will, but I’ll try.
Julia Win is a girl in search of answers. She grew up part of a loving family. No outward signs of anything out of the ordinary. However, after college graduation her loving devoted father disappears. One moment he is there, the next he is not. She wants to know why.
This book more than anything is about love.
One early quote that loved and drew me in was ‘No. I speak of a love that brings sight to the blind. Of a love stronger than fear. I speak of a love that breathes meaning into life, that defies the natural law of deterioration, that causes us to flourish, that knows no bounds. I speak of the triumph of the human spirit over selfishness and death.’
Wow. What can you say to that? Does that kind of love exist? I think deep down we all want it to, but have you seen it? Do you believe?
Julia learns of her father via a trip to his homeland, Burma. She meets U Ba. A man who seemingly knows very much about her father, at least until he came to live in the United States, that is where U Ba’s stories end and Julia’s begin.
Through their talks she learns of Mi Mi. Her fathers one true love. Why did Tin Win love Mi Mi so? He was blind when he met her. And she was a cripple, born with deformed feet. Yet their bond is the exact love spoke of in the quote above. It flourishes, it knows no bounds, it is selfless. He knew he loved her the moment he heard her heartbeat. For him it was the most beautiful sound in the world. He relies only on his other senses, as his sight does not allow him to see her beauty for himself.
Additional favorite quotes:
‘There is one force more powerful than fear’
‘I will tell you: It’s love. Love makes us beautiful. Do you know a single person who loves and is loved, who is loved unconditionally and who, at the same time is ugly? There’s no need to ponder the question. There is no such person.’
Love can spread the gap of thousands of miles, love can span decades. Love, the real love, the kind where two hearts beat as one, can bring to people together, for all eternity.
- Goodreads rating – 4.02
- REVIEW – Jaime