(10/18/2010)
Captivating novel about how the loss of a common language in a marriage affects the relationship. Li Jing, injured in an explosion, loses his ability to speak Chinese and withdraws from his wife. He reverts to his first language, English, which Meiling, his wife, does not understand. Meiling does not want to show how her husband's injury has affected her. Both restrain their emotions and remain inscrutable to one another. Dr. Neal, an American neurologist, establishes an emotional connect with Li Jing and helps him express himself in English. Tensions increase between these three characters and suspense ensues regarding how these tensions will be resolved. The book interested me throughout. I think coping with such a serious injury would be difficult in any culture.