| Publishers Weekly Review "Set in Taiwan, this tale of humble family life spiraling into turmoil is a roiling, ambitious work. Having already faced the hardships of living and fleeing communist life in mainland China, the Lee clan suffers another catastrophic turn when Tong, the father, is placed on death row after confronting corruption at the government-run textile company where he works. A staccato rhythm combined with the introduction of many characters in the early chapters-at least 10 within the first 9 pages-makes the beginning a challenge, but the Lees' struggles to cope with their tough breaks while holding on to the traditional Eastern values is often heart-wrenching. Like the 'exposed strata of a chiseled Mountain.' refined metaphors punctuate and illuminate the pages of this novel, creating dreamy images that transport the reader into the private universes of the various characters. Thanks to Mei Ling, the Lees' oldest daughter, who becomes an anchorwoman for a local public television station, the Lees eventually wind up on the West Coast of the United Sates where their struggle to become reunited takes another turn. This hard-luck story about a determined family battling poverty, communism, corruption and their own fateful decisions makes for an emotional, and uplifting read." ABNA - Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.  More reviews from ABNA 2008 "...inhabit worlds apart from our own lives..A tiptop debut!" - Anthony J. VanWitsen "...astonishingly lyrical tale... like the strokes of a bamboo brush across rice paper..." - Annie Parnell "...we understand the cultural underpinnings of the strong emotions the characters feel..." - Beth Groundwater (Author or the Gift Basket Mysteries-Five Star) "...sensual metaphor...dwells absolutely in the hearts of her characters...No detail is superfluous..." - Margaret Yang "...Haunting, exquisitely rendered snapshot.." - Janet Lane (author of Tabor's Trinket) "...life's bittersweet experiences and the culture were delicately revealed." - S. Wilmoth "...an inimitable effect of poignant urgency." - Valentina Gurarie "...capture nuances of times and places unfamiliar to most of us." - Carol Berg (author of numerous fantasy novels) "Three cheers for M. Lin...!" - Lawdon "Vivid characters and the raw emotions..." - Ian Petersen "...riveting, heartfelt tale. Beautiful prose intertwined with family tension..." - D.C. Myers "Karen Lin's writing transports me." - Thom Phelps "...lyrical and moving...poetic language...stunning...vivid historical elements..." - Matthew B. Turner |
 Amazon Top Reviewer: "American Moon tells the story of the Lee family - two families at different times braving what life has thrown at them, and how they face it - in 1962 Taiwan, a young student steps from her secure world to a nightmare when she realizes that her father must have said or done something that has cost him their government housing and his government job. It seems the dreams of education and stability are gone, and the children are to be farmed out to relatives, and possessions sold off to have some money until they figure out what to do... The other story is told in time increments, follows the father, Lee Tong - and the actions of his life that end up on the way to Taiwan... American Moon is poetically written - describing the actions of life like the waxing and waning of the moon - and the thought that in America, the moon was larger, therefore, the lives lived in America must bear the moon's beauty longer... You come to care for the characters, and feel for the problems they experience - and start to see the life's differences as Communism takes them. Beautifully told." 5-star reviews by writers: "...evocative, vivid prose captures...Taiwan/China perfectly...realistic and authentic dialogue and cultural concerns(such as physiognomy) make this a totally believable and thoroughly enjoyable excerpt." - Yu-han Chao (author of Passport Baby - Taiwan and USA) "...a sensorial world we are loath to leave...stunning description with economy of language..." - Audrey Wyatt (author of Poles Apart) "...rarefied writing style effortlessly imparts Taiwanese culture, tantalizing." - J. Campbell "...exquisite, beautifully rendered...evocative and transcendentally gracious." - Cheryl Chow "...laced with astonishing beauty...Brilliant." - R. Reims "...rare combination of outstanding writing and compelling story!" - Rosemary C. (author of Dream Rider: Roadmap to an Adventurous LIfe) "...Chinese proverb...strike a perfect note...Layered on...style and setting are vivid characters." - Reed Salotte "...reaches that exquisite point of yearning in her characters that creates a sympathetic reaction..." - Christian Learn more about American Moon --> |
Karen's books revolve around food and family. They often feature Chinese Culture. She is a food scholar, in-home cooking instructor, and food writer. The above photos of lotus leaves were taken by Karen Lin in China. Recipes utilizing them as wraps are featured in Karen's literary cookbook entitled: Nature's Wrap: Cooking in Leaves; Recipes From Around the World