Pekingin lumotut illat

by Judith Michael, Päivi Paappanen (Translator)

Though Miranda Graham is a savvy, successful fashion designer, she's never set foot outside the U.S. As a widow and a mom, she has cleaved to the familiarity of her Boulder, Colorado, home. So when business sends her to China, Miranda reels from profound culture shock. Luckily, kind Yuan Li takes the frightened visitor under his wing and offers to be her tour guide.

As Miranda adapts to chopsticks and crowded streets, she finds Li has appealing qualities beyond his perfect English and natural hospitality. A Renaissance man as well as a businessman, Li opens Miranda's heart to the countless treasures of China. With newfound courage, Miranda finds herself falling into deep, passionate love with this man whom she hardly knows. The looming deadline for her return and the threatening disapproval of a fading communist state force these lovers to make the most of their glorious time together.

Bestselling author Judith Michael has situated this familiar midlife coming of age tale in a truly unique location. Colorful descriptions of Chinese culture and atmosphere will certainly infect some readers with the travel bug. But while Miranda's character is well-developed and likable, Li's borders on stereotypical, and at times the threats to their relationship seem artificial. However, in the context of a "perfect love, imperfect world" story, these faults are entirely forgivable, and the overall story line is very entertaining.--Nancy R.E. O'Brien

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Adult Fiction

429 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1999

About the author

Judith Michael is the pen name of husband/wife team Judith Barnard (b. 1934) and Michael Fain (b. 1937).

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok read! very predictable,uncertain and questionable storyline (paperback!)

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A paperback I had sitting on my shelf for awhile, I decided to pick up and put the kindle down and I'm glad I did. This novel takes place in Beijing and begins when an American clothing designer, Miranda Graham, goes to China for her company to meet with the Chinese manufacturers. She meets Yuan Li, who had an American soldier as a father and Chinese mother. They meet, by chance, in the airport upon her arrival and spend each day of her trip together. Two cultures colliding and seeing Beijing through her eyes makes for a nice love story, if you are in the mood for some light summer reading.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do have to say out of the few books I’ve read by these authors, this one was my favorite. It could be because I felt the writing, with lack of a better word, evolved. Or maybe it was because this book, being published in 1999, was more recently published than the previous ones I read by these authors, and therefore more up-to-date. Anyway, I thought it rather odd that I chose to read this book being that it took place in China and we’re in the midst of the corona virus pandemic that started there. Maybe that made the book more interesting? Or maybe it was because I love the reality show 90 Day Fiancé and this couple in the story would be perfect for the show: Miranda, from America, visiting China for work to promote her clothing designs. Yuan Li, who happens to be in the crowded Chinese airport when Miranda arrived, spots her, notices she’s lost, and guides her in the right direction...even taking her to her hotel. From there, a friendship develops. Yuan Li is Miranda’s personal tour guide for everything China. Food seems to top the list, and the descriptions of it made me want to be more daring with my choices of Chinese food. (Well, maybe in a safer time.)
It’s no surprise that Li and Miranda’s friendship turns into romance. Could a 90 day visa be in the works? But among the work Miranda does with the garment factory, Li’s construction business, being followed by the government due to Miranda’s innocent delivery of a letter from a former student dissident, then helping Li’s son get out of an illegal (yet not that illegal in China) situation, the couple has time for sightseeing, cooking, and spending the night at Li’s home.
In the end, love doesn’t conquer all. Between the both of them, neither one wants to move to the other’s country. It’s understandable, but surprising since all they could do in the short amount of time Miranda was in China was profess their unending love for each other. They settle for never seeing each other again, the sad truth of the late 90’s, where there wasn’t face time or social media. I guess phone calls, letters, and plane rides weren’t for them.

[Gillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Non-compelling characters meet "unrealistically" when he (Chinese Li) helps 'her (American Miranda) get through the crowds at Beijing airport to find a taxi to her hotel. Somehow (?) they fall in love and then avoid having the where-is-this-going conversation. Meanwhile Li's son is mixed up with pirates and government/police corruption.

Not sure why I finished this book, really. The incorrect Mandarin in places was off-putting, as well as the fact that in a 10-day trip she phones her kids once, and that the initial threat felt from being followed by the "spy police" is not itself followed through. It's as if some parts of the story were "chickened out on". She gets into trouble after passing on a letter, so we expect something to happen with the postcards she writes, but then she just mentions that she never sent them.

Some missed opportunities for a much better yarn. The second star is for the (unfulfilled) potential.

[Jan Hecht · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not going to finish reading this book, however I am finished with the story ! It could have been an interesting read but I cannot tolerate the sex being described every-single-day and it is presented as normal along with another married man having a girlfriend and everyone knows, including his wife. So many good books to read but for me, this is not one of them. Oh, and by the way, call me what you may but I still have some distinction between good & not acceptable. Is it the authors or the editors/publishers who believes this sells books?

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful love story between a Chinese man and an American woman which takes place over a period of 10 days in Beijing. There was so much that reminded me of my visit to China: Beijing traffic, the Summer Palace and the markets. It also reminded me of the government control in China vs. the freedoms in the U.S. Yet, there were definite warnings of the ease with which one can lose these freedoms without Jefferson's words: eternal vigilance!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to make of this book. It seems like a holiday fling on overload. I know people can fall in love quickly but it seemed almost unnatural. Rather it seemed natural until I realized a lot of this happened within a week or so. And, then there was some other stuff thrown in. I didn't hate it, I just didn't find it overall realistic.

[Diane Tidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually enjoy Judith Michael books and "A Certain Smile" was no exception. Interesting and captivating, it detailed an interesting view of Chinese culture and gave the reader pause to think and ponder.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of the Judith Michael books and although a pleasant read is it not one of their best. Even though the tale takes place in China the story line is rather simplistic and ordinary and the ending most unsatisfactory. Unlike the bulk of their works there were no twists or turns and their descriptions of the locale and characters did not have the same flourish.

[Shauna Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up in a neighborhood little library. It was a bit predictable and felt somewhat out of date with the descriptions of how Americans feel about their Government. A lot has changed since this book was written.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Judith Michael's writing and stories, but this time I found the main female character so difficult to like at times that it dampened my enjoyment.

[Ave]

Dnf

[Valerie Berns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the book but hated the ending!!!!!

[Tracy Lydick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a little hard to get into at first, but after say chapter five. I couldn’t put it down. It was definitely a good read. My first book by this author too.

[Monica M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Michael has such a passion for creating two worlds that connect so closely with each-other, but yet are totally separate and revolve in such different ways. For example in his novel A Certain Smile, he creates two very diverse characters. Yaun Li, an extremely wealthy businessman and influential idol within politics finds himself falling into a romantic relationship with Miranda Graham, a clothing designer and a middle class widowed mother from America. Miranda travels to China to set up a business deal with a major cloths company based in Beijing, but instead of basing her trip on strictly work she meets Li, and her plans change.

Michael uses an everyday character such as Miranda to connect to readers and pull them into the story, while on the other hand he creates a character such as Li, who is used to show the foreignness of the setting. In my opinion the way that he used the characters to reflect on certain aspects of his story was clever and original. I enjoyed hearing of Li's heritage and how distant Miranda felt from him in the beginning, but shortly began to feel more confident being with him. The only thing that I disliked about the characters make-up was how interested they both were in arguing about differences in politics. I understand that the author wanted to give background information on how China's judicial system worked, but I feel as though it was unrealistic how much they talked about eachother's law systems. If they were real people, after a while they would both loose interest, just as I did when they talked about the subject.

As much as I enjoyed the characters, my enthusiasm doubled when it came to the plot. Michael used a twisting turning conflict to lead readers to the highest point of the story, and then left us with a jaw dropping ending. He built up the plot with the mystery of who was following Miranda, and once he uncovered who and why they were, readers including myself were left satisfied with the hope that nothing bad would come to Miranda and Li. Then Michael leads readers into a different path, a path of guessing and wonder. Without giving anything away, I can say that I truly enjoyed how he built the story all the way until it's climax then revealed the true meaning of Li's character.

Other romance novels such as Lucky Ones by Nicholas Sparks had a very clean ending, but that wasn't the case in Michael's book. Most Romance novels end in a tragedy that bring two people together, but within this book, there was far more than just a tragedy. In addition to the difference in endings, the characters had a questionable relationship until last minute. Normally characters in romance novels get to know eachother and quickly fall in love, but that was again not the case in this book.

Overall I found that the theme of love perseveres was very viable throughout the buildup of his characters, plot and setting. I rated my book a 4 out of 5 because of how the author used his talent of bringing two separate lives so close together, so purely. I recomend this book to anyone in search of a good book to read and learn a lot from.

[Macawley Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was completely unrealistic. Miranda, a mousy American fashion designer, travels to China for business. Upon arrival at the airport, she meets Li, a successful Chinese engineer who wishes to help her and show her the city. The two fall in love, and tell each other that, within about 5 days. At the end, they are contemplating moving together, either to the States or to China. Really, really cheesy. Would not recommend.
Some of the writing was nice, though. I was enjoying the book at first and then it just took a turn for the worse.

[Debra Hale-Shelton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I interviewed the couple Judith and Michael in their Chicago apartment. I am a lover of food writing, and I still remember that Judith had a copy of Amanda Hesser's The Cook and the Gardener on a living room table. She loved cookbooks, though Hesser's book is more than a bookbook.

A Certain Smile is a fun book one can enjoy without having to dig too deep. Literary snobs might differ, but i believe there's a place for light reading as well as the so-called literary and all that in between.

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I don't think I am prejudiced. Maybe I am. I could not get behind the love affair on the American woman on a business trip to China. Ten days in China. I did like the information about the government background. That was interesting. I just could not believe in the love affair. Figured it would end when she flew back to Boulder Colorado, and it did. Predictably.

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book #14 read in 2006

A slow-moving tale about two lovers from different worlds: her from America, him from China. There is much interesting information about the Chinese culture, but I was a little disappointed in the ending. However, someone else might really enjoy this book. I liked others by this author much better.

Released into the wild through Bookcrossing

[Tyra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its been a long time since I've read a Judith Michael story and while I enjoyed it, the story line drove me nuts, hence the low rating. The whole thing just seemed implausible and far-fetched, from the random meeting at the airport to the declaration of love and possible marriage after less than a week of knowing someone.

But, if you want an escapist book...go for it.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miranda Graham is a widowed clothing designer (who doesn't travel much) who is sent to China to work with factories there. She meets a man in the airport, who rather takes over her life there.
Miranda does, of course, fall in love with him. they end up being followed by the secret police etc. etc.
It is okay, but a predictable love story.

[Mavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is great, the only reason why I left one star out is because I hate the fact the they have to be separated in the end due to the fact that they have different living standard and lifestyle. Well, of course. Life can't be perfect. Still a good read anyway.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy books by Judith Michael, a married couple that write together. This story takes place in China and deals a lot with the cultural issues and differences between a man and a woman. A good read.

[Kathi · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I was younger, Judith Michael was one of my favorite authors, but it has been years since I've read anything of theirs. This book did nothing for me, left me flat. I can't define why. Maybe I've grown up, or maybe this one wasn't as good as I remember the others as being.

[Partridge Public]

Michael, Judith

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting love story about an American designer who visits China on business and falls in love. Insight into another culture = cool.

[Manuela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Banale per larghi tratti, oltre che noioso.

[Christine]

drivel!

[**Sognatrice di libri** · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storia dolce e toccante.

[Bj Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an intense love-story with an unsatisfying ending. I like the authors' style of writing, and learned a lot about Chinese culture, but couldn't completely get into the characters.