You ever read a book were its very clear that the author though about each word, where each plot point and section of the book was very specifically placed where it ended up being?
Well this book is kind of the opposite of that, where it could all make sense but the chosen words don't really fit?
Its a bit like you are learning and language and you still trying to figure out which words are best to use in which sitations, for example when to say run instead of drive. Or home instead of house. Technically they mean the same, the first example is a moving motion, but one is clearly done by foot th either inside a vehicle, the second dexample is clearly meant as a place, but sometimes it's just a house and some places are a home but in some language that word is the same. In others there are different words for it. For som people those differences might be subtle, but there are clearly there.
ANd you notice if word keep being just a bit mixed up and not right feeling.
ANd this book felt to me as if its filled with those mix ups.
Now I don't know if the original text was written that away, or if the translator in my opinion didn't do the best job.

But for me this is sadly not one of those books that's i would recommend as it is.
I am sure there are people that enjoy it well enough, but I am to specific in my tastes to say this is a good one. .

This is a good opportunity to read a novel about Daicheng, China- which I've not seen before. This is low on plot and would have benefited from a polish of the translation but it's still interesting.

I am sure that in it's native language it read well, but the translation leaves a lot to be desired. Or maybe not. It could just be a poorly written book. I oftentimes choose foreign books in translations hoping to get insight into another culture. This just did not fit the bill. Sorry. Gave up and did not finish.

I wish I could go back in time and forget this book, simply so I could read it fresh again. This is a full solid story, with depth and well-rounded characters. LOVED it.

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

I really wanted to like A Tree Grows in Diacheng, as I enjoy reading books from other cultures that have been translated to English. I simply could not get into this book, it didn't really seem to go anywhere and was a bit hard to read. I did enjoy reading about that time in Chinese history however.

Disappointing! It felt like there was never a point to the message, unless that was the intended commentary for its plot. Whether the fault of writer or translator, it was very tedious to read.

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

I couldn't get into this book. It's rambling with no apparent focus or storyline. With a translated book, I am never sure if it's the writing or the translation that is suffering.

No Rating, abandoned at 10%

In a changing China, the effects of the Cultural Revolution are told from the viewpoint of a neighborhood on Rose Street. Boy, disfigured, finds himself alone and must attempt interaction with neighbors in order to survive.

This book took me back to a time and place I never expected to visit. The story is interesting and captivated me from the very beginning. Nice job!