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A Mei Wang Mystery #2

by Diane Wei Liang, Νίνα Μπούρη (Translator)

Είναι παιχνίδι επικίνδυνο να αναζητεί την αλήθεια σε μια κοινωνία που ακόμα δε γνωρίζει όλα τα μυστικά του παρελθόντος...

Στη Βόρεια Κίνα, ένας πολιτικός ακτιβιστής που συνελήφθη μετά τη σφαγή στην πλατεία Τιενανμέν αφήνεται ελεύθερος μετά την "αναμόρφωσή" του. Μα ο Λιν είναι ένας αλλαγμένος άνθρωπος σε πολλά επίπεδα: τον στοιχειώνουν οι μνήμες από τη φυλακή, τα γεγονότα και οι άνθρωποι που τον οδήγησαν εκεί, κι έτσι πηγαίνει στην πρωτεύουσα, όπου ελπίζει να αντιμετωπίσει τους δαίμονές του μια για πάντα.

Εν τω μεταξύ η Μέι Γουάνγκ προσπαθεί να ικανοποιήσει τις προσδοκίες της οικογένειάς της, ενώ ταυτόχρονα πασχίζει να αντεπεξέλθει στην πίεση της δουλειάς της: να διατηρεί γραφείο ντετέκτιβ σε μια χώρα όπου οι ιδιωτικές έρευνες είναι παράνομες. Όμως, όταν η αδερφή της της προτείνει να ερευνήσει μια νέα υπόθεση -την εξαφάνιση μιας πανέμορφης νεαρής στάρλετ ονόματι Κάιλι-, η Μέι αισθάνεται υποχρεωμένη να δεχτεί.

Οι έρευνες φέρνουν τη Μέι από τους ουρανοξύστες, το γόητρο και τον πλούτο του μοντέρνου Πεκίνου στις δεισιδαιμονίες και τις παραδόσεις των παλιών σοκακιών, των χουτόνγκ, που διατηρούνται ακόμα στις παρυφές της πόλης. Εκεί η Μέι δεν αναζητάεί μόνο την Κάιλι, αλλά και τα ίχνη μιας εύθραυστης χάρτινης πεταλούδας που ανακάλυψε στο διαμέρισμά της Κάιλι. Καθώς όμως πλησιάζει στη λύση της υπόθεσης, καταλαβαίνει ότι η αλήθεια δεν απελευθερώνει πάντα - κι όταν τελικά βρίσκεται το άψυχο σώμα της Κάιλι, έρχονται στο φως δεσμοί από το παρελθόν που αναγκάζουν τη Μέι να αντιμετωπίσει και ορισμένους από τους δικούς της δαίμονες...

Genres: China, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Asia, Asian Literature, Thriller

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Diane Wei Liang was born in Beijing. She spent part of her childhood with her parents in a labor camp in a remote region of China, and the other part in Beijing with her mother when her parents were forced to live and work in different cities. She studied psychology at Peking University. In 1989 she took part in the Student Democracy Movement and was in Tiananmen Square. Later that year, she left China for the U.S. Liang has a PhD in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and was a business professor in the U.S. and U.K. for over ten years. She lives in London with her family."

Reviews

[Aggeliki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ήταν πασχαλινό δωράκι και για να είμαι ειλικρινής αγνοούσα τόσο την ύπαρξή του όσο και της συγγραφέως. Ήταν όμως μια συμπαθητική ιστορία μυστηρίου που εκτυλίσσεται στα στενά του Πεκίνου γεμάτο περιγραφές εικόνων, μιας κουλτούρας που είναι τελείως έξω από όσα μας είναι οικεία και με μικρές αναφορές στην προσωπική ιστορία των χαρακτήρων. Η οποία ιστορία συνδέεται άμεσα με την διαμαρτυρία του κινήματος των φοιτητών καθώς και τα όσα επιβάλλονται από το Κόμμα.
Οι εξελίξεις τρέχουν κυρίως στο τελευταίο μέρος του βιβλίου κάνοντάς μας μάρτυρες ιστορικών για τη χώρα γεγονότων αλλά και του προσωπικού δράματος των ηρώων. Δεν θα σε ενθουσιάσει ως ανάγνωσμα, αλλά σαφώς δεν σε αφήνει και αδιάφορο. Είναι μια διαφορετική μυστηριώδης ιστορία με τη οποία περνάς ευχάριστα την ώρα σου.

[Eric Abrahamsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and well translated. Easy to read. Descent length chapters. Good story and a lot of Chinese history and culture baked into the story.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like candy that's good for you. Does such a thing exist? Maybe candy fortified with vitamins? It's a lightweight detective story that takes place in China (Beijing, mostly) from the time of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests to the early 2000's.

I like the way the author weaves history and social commentary into the plot and the lives of the characters. I even like the internal dialog of the narrator, as her mind drifts to other things (memories of a lost love, resentment toward her mother, sibling rivalry, regret about times past, etc), even while she's tracking down the clues to the case.

I feel this book was a nice blend of detective story, chick lit, and historical fiction. Looking at the bad reviews, I think some people may have expected too much from this book? If you're looking for a lightweight and engrossing read, one that feeds you some history without making you think too much, this is perfect. :)

[Pachy Pedia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro me ha gustado más que el anterior. La alternancia entre la historia de Mei y la de Lin se me ha hecho interesante, y es una mejora que se centre más en la trama principal que en la vida de Mei.

[Stefanos D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Το βιβλίο διαβάσετε με μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον και περιγράφει κάποια γεγονότα που ζήσαμε όσο σου επέτρεπε η λογοκρισία της Κίνας.

[Dana Burda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romanul '' Fluturele de hârtie'' al scriitoarei chineze Diane Wei Liang a apărut la editura Nemira în anul 2010 în colecția Suspans/ romane polițiste în seria Mei Wang. Traducerea din limba engleză a fost făcută de Alin Mihăilescu. Este cel de al doiea volum al seriei Mei Wang după '' Ochiul de jad'' , serie care de altfel se compune doar din aceste două volume. În afara celor două romane polițiste scriitoarea Diane Wei Liang a mai scris anterior lor o carte de amintiri '' A lake with no name'' publicată în 2006. Cele trei cărți reprezintă până acum toată opera sa literară. Sper să continue atât de reușita serie Mei Wang.
'' Fluturele de hârtie'' continuă cazurile lui Mei Wang care devenise deja experimentată ca detectiv particular. De data asta la recomandarea surorii ei, atât de frumoasa, raționala și materialista Lu Wang se întâlnește cu producătorul muzical domnul Peng. Acesta o roagă să afle ce s-a întâmplat cu tânăra și talentata cântăreață Kaili care era dată dispărută de mai multe zile. Ancheta lui Mei Wang îi dă prilej autoarei să readucă la lumină amănunte despre manifestația din piața Tiananmen din anul 1989 și mai ales consecințele acesteia pentru cei care au fost arestați atunci și închiși în lagăre cumplite de muncă. Totodată îi oferă lui Mei Wang ocazia să cunoască mai bine amănunte din trecutul mamei ei. Un roman foarte bine construit a cărei acțiune se desfășoară pe mai multe planuri și care te ține captiv de la prima până la ultima pagină. Impresia mea este că aceste două romane din seria Mei Wang i-au dat posibilitatea autoarei să se elibereze de amintirile dureroase personale legate de cele două evenimente teribile din istoria contemporană a Chinei, revoluția culturală și manifestația studenților din paiața Tiananmen, ca un fel de exorcizare pentru că viața ei a fost marcată de aceste evenimente.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading mysteries written by writers from other cultures and absorbing the flavors and the descriptions of their settings, in this case especially the inclusion of the student democratic movement and protest at Tianamen Square. This novel, set in Beijing, was interesting and colorful. The main character, Mei Wang, works as an "information consultant" which is a correct and acceptable title for her illegal private investigator firm. She is gentle, tenacious, and (of course) smart. She seems to be successful with her business and is searching for a missing pop star. This leads her into the back alleys and the former life of the missing girl, and finally a solution after she turns up murdered.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mei Wang is less a protagonist than a witness to history this time out. And the case she's working on serves as the reason to consider the real story: June 4, 1989 in Tiananmen Square and the aftermath.

[Silvana Martins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Opinião completa: https://pordetrasdaspalavras.blogs.sa...

[Marina Kazakou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ένα συμπαθητικό βιβλίο που συνδυάζει στοιχεία μυστηρίου (με την εξαφάνιση γνωστής ποπ τραγουδίστριας) και ιστορίας της σύγχρονης Κίνας (τα γεγονότα της πλατείας Τιενανμέν). Διαβάζεται γρήγορα και ευχάριστα.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get in to this one. Stopped after about 50 pages because it just wasn't keeping me engaged.

[Moni · Rating 2 out of 5]

-226
Lo más interesante fueron las últimas 20 páginas.
Todo paso muy lento y rápido a la vez.

[Victor Saville · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty thin story overall. I enjoyed a bit of info regarding the 1989 crisis.
and the setting was nice

[Crina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up half way through.

[gabi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

La primera parte es aburridisima y sobraba, no ocurre nada y tampoco está súper bien escrito como para que te entretenga.
Está escrito de forma aburrida, y se espera hasta el final para explicarte el misterio (la resolución no tiene nada de destacable, nada de nada) y no hay un solo personaje destacable.
Qué pereza de historia, la protagonista está mal escrita, osea no he entendido muy bien su pasado, no se sabe nada de su personalidad y la historia no te engancha lo suficiente como para hacerte entender por qué ella se encariña tanto con las personas que está investigando.
Si hubiera pagado por este libro estaría furiosa por haber gastado dinero en una historia tan aburrida, flipo cuando veo que pone que es un bestseller y que tiene muy buenas reseñas de ciertos críticos.
No entiendo qué tipo de historia es, no es de misterio (porque te enteras al final en el arco de tres páginas), no es histórica o política (porque hace un poco de critica pero es que no profundiza en absoluto) y tampoco es un character study porque el estilo de escritura no es profundo en absoluto y los personajes no tienen dialogo interno (y el de la prota es super simple y aburrido).

[Pep.Kosteyetos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐
Στα θετικά του βιβλίου κατατάσσω την επιτυχή ένταξη του αναγνώστη, δηλαδή εμένα, σε έναν πολιτισμό που μου είναι ξένος, αν και την πολιτική ιστορία της περιόδου εκείνης την γνώριζα. Επίσης το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίο το βρήκα τρομερά ενδιαφέρον, ειδικά την οπτική του Λιν, ο οποίος αποφυλακίζεται από το στρατόπεδο εργασίας και ταξιδεύει μόνος σε άγνωστα μέρη με ελπίδα να γυρίσει στο Πεκίνο.
Σιγά σιγά όμως, και ενώ το μυστήριο γύρω από την εξαφάνιση μιας τραγουδίστριας, που έδενε την διπρόσωπη αφήγηση του Λιν και της ιδιωτικής ντετέκτιβ Μέι, κορυφωνόταν, η εναλλασσόμενη αφήγηση των δύο βασικών πρωταγωνιστών εγκαταλήφθηκε, φανερώνοντάς μου λίγο λίγο το τέλος.
Το τέλος το βρήκα λοιπόν κάπως προβλέψιμο και βεβιασμένο. Δεν είμαι σίγουρος για το τι θα μπορούσε να αλλάξει, αλλά νομίζω πως θα το έκανε περισσότερο ενδιαφέρον ένας δεύτερος ή και τρίτος αφηγητής, όπως δηλαδή και στο πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου.

[Elede · Rating 3 out of 5]

Segundo libro de Diane Wei, y sigue con la tónica del primero.
Me ha gustado, la forma de escribir de esta autora es simple, con un toque romántico y nostálgico, que personalmente me gusta mucho. Quizás a veces la historia peque de lenta, simple o sin mucho interés, pero me parece que la forma de contarla es acertada y a mi se me ha hecho ameno el libro.

En "El ojo de Jade" la historia se centraba más en el aspecto personal y la vida de Mei, sus relaciones y su pasado. En este, hay poco de lo personal y la historia se centra más en el caso a tratar, que sin ser demasiado interesante, sí que te deja con intriga y con ganas de saber que ha ocurrido.

Es una historia muy mundana, pero merece la pena leer. Quizás el primer libro me gustó algo más, por conocer más a Mei, pero aún así este sigue su estela.

[Inge (Inge1990) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually do not know about this book. It is not a bad book, but it takes a really long time to actually get started, and then in the end, everything is resolved in like 5 pages without any clue how...

It is a mystery where Mei is helping a record label because one of there stars goes missing. In the last 15 pages, a child gets kidnapped, the mystery of paper butterfly's is resolved, the missing of the pop star gets resolved. So it is not that you have a slow going with clues, rather just 2 story lines that come together in the last 5 pages or so. And i have a little bit trouble with that.

So it isn't a bad book, but I will not be reading more Mei mystery books.

[Mary Lautner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mei Wang navigates her way through the current culture of Beijing. She has been asked to find a rock star who has gone missing. Through her persistence to find out what happened, she encounters very caring people who often have endured years of hardship. But what she seems to uncover most are duplicitous, greedy people who will even sell out their closest friend to get ahead. An interesting mystery as it draws the reader into the culture of struggle that describes so much of this China.

[Jill Schrupp · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an OK read, I would say it was terrible and I couldn't wait to be finished but I wouldn't say run out and read it either. The storyline was a little flat and the ending was disappointing. Story never seemed to really take off and with the exception of a couple characters there was no real getting to know the story behind the people which I think is needed for a good story. This book will go into the donation pile.

[Вики · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three out of five stars... it is a murder mystery, and the reason why I didn't like this book that much is because of the progress of the book, the events were somehow too rapidly for my taste of murder mysteries.

Mei is a private investigator hired to investigate the disappearance of Kaili, a pop star. Doing that, Mei stumbles upon letters of a man called Lin and a paper butterfly. The mystery with the paper butterfly was very good but other than that the book didn't impress me much.

[Liliana Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

«“A Borboleta de Papel” é um thriller que se destaca não apenas pelo mistério central, mas também pela forma como retrata a vida na China, proporcionando uma experiência cultural rica. Apesar de não ter sido dos meus livros favoritos, reconheço o seu valor ao oferecer uma perspectiva única sobre um país com uma história e cultura fascinantes. »

Opinião Completa: https://alilianaraquel.pt/a-borboleta...

[Zozoka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Μια ερωτική ιστορία της νιότης, το νοσταλγικό ενσταντανέ που κρύβεται πίσω από τη μυστηριώδη εξαφάνιση μιας διάσημης τραγουδίστριας της ποπ στο Πεκίνο. Και όλα αυτά στον απόηχο του φοιτητικού κινήματος που χτυπήθηκε αλύπητα στην πλατεία Τιενανμέν... Η αστυνομική γρήγορη πλοκή σε βυθίζει στην κουλτούρα της κομουνιστικής Κίνας πριν το καταλάβεις καλά καλά! Διαβάζεται πολύ πολύ ευχάριστα.

[salchupup · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 estrellas.

Wei Liang es una gran escritora, y realmente es capaz de situarte en el Pekín de hace unas décadas. Su estilo es refinado y hasta poético, y transmite a la perfección los conflictos entre los personajes. He disfrutado el libro, no es mi género preferido, pero lo recomiendo para una lectura rápida, entretenida y llena de emociones profundas.

[Chris Leuchtenburg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harmless but thin, without as much sense of place as The Eye of the Jade. Very short, only 123 numbered pages, but even some of those were blank -- barely 200 pages. Still, it does give some sense of life in Beijing and the bitter legacy of Tienanmen Square.

[Hananaki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Όλη η δράση και το ενδιαφέρον βρισκόταν στις τελευταίες 80 σελίδες.Είχε ενδιαφέρον θέμα που δεν αναπτύχθηκε ποτέ.Δεν έμαθα κάτι καινούριο και αμφιβάλλω αν θα το θυμάμαι σε 6 μήνες...Του βάζω 2 αστεράκια αντί για ένα γιατί μου φάνηκε καλογραμμένο (εν προκειμένω καλό απο μετάφραση)

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was the 2nd in a series until after I listened to the book. The main character mixes traditional Asian sensibilities with modern problem solving, even putting herself at risk in some ways. I am intrigued enough to pursue the 1st book in the series.

[Flapidouille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a great detective story as such but a most enjoyable read, with lots on information on past and present China. I found this book better than the first one of the series and look forward to reading the next one.

[Ziyue Lan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly think this author might not be for me sadly.
I don’t have much to say other than both books she wrote made me feel super captivated in the beginning but then something just didn’t work out.