What readers think of City of Tranquil Light, plus links to write your own review.

I wasn't sure at first if I liked this book. It was different than most novels. The characters and their trials and tribulations were so real and believable that I decided I liked it after all. also there is romance that is very real and facts about China in the 1900's that seem like real facts. I think I learned a lot about China. It was an interesting book and I would recommend it.

This simply, but exquisitely written novel tells the story of two young Mennonites, Katherine and Will Siehn, who journey to mainland China in 1906 to offer their lives in missionary service. The narrative is told from two viewpoints: his recollections as an elderly man returned to America, and hers through her diary. The resulting "weave" is a quietly powerful story of a marriage, commitment, and a land moving from imperial rule toward an uncertain political future.

It's now almost mid-August. Since January 1, I have read 88 books, a list that includes contemporary literary fiction, quality non-fiction, and acknowledged classics. "City of Tranquil Light" is the best so far, and I look forward eagerly to Ms. Caldwell's next work.

I found this book was one that I never wanted to put down. Two young missionaries in love with God, fall in love with each other and with the people of early 1900 century China. They face hardships of war, isolation, bandits, and death; yet, they find that God sustains them and their love for Him and each other deepens. A wonderful look at the lives of Chinese peasants in the tumultuous time between the end of the Manchu dynasty and the rise of communism . I highly recommend this book.

"City of Tranquil Lights" is a beautifully written novel. I read this book in two days, any time I put it down, I felt the book tug at me to pick it up and keep on reading. So much about this book kept my attention, from the description of life in China in the early 1900s to selfless service Will and Katherine gave during their missionary life. I highly recommend this book.

The book arrived on Thursday afternoon. 48 hours later, I finished it. It was inspired by the author's grandparents who spent 56 years as Mennonite missionaries in China. I was disappointed and surprised when I learned that it was, in fact, fiction because it is so well-written. The author does, however, list a number of books in her Acknowledgment that she used in her research for this piece, which I fully intend to read. Anyone who has an interest in Chinese culture and/or history would be interested in reading this or anyone who just wants to read a good, old-fashioned love story. I had a lot of things to do today, but the book held my attention to such a degree that I got up early and spent most of my day in my reading chair because I couldn't put this book down.

The book is hardly tranquil in its portrayal of the tumultuous years of China in the 20th Century. The remarkable relationship of Will and Katherine is juxtaposed against the hue and cry of China, I found very effective. The novel is also a great history lesson of the dialectic struggle laying the groundwork of the 21st Century superpower.

I was away, and just finished reading this book Rather than reiterate the story line so well stated by previous reviewers, I will confine my remarks to the author, Bo Caldwell. Caldwell is a talented writer. She has received several awards, among them the Wallace Stegner Fellowship in Creative Writing at Stanford. The Stegner influence appears in the easy word flow , passion, and succinct descriptions of people, places and things. My only reservation is that Caldwell does not show the depth of fine detailing which brings vibrance and immediacy to Stegner's prose . Perhaps this is because Caldwell has never been to China. I look forward to reading her future novels and hope that she will rely on her own experiences and observations to bring forth her full talent.

The beginning of the book went slowly for me. My interest increased as I read. The use of two voices was a nice way to get the perspectives of the main characters. The story is lovely and an excellent voice for examples of dedication and devotion.