not a review

Thoughts, in no particular order

how did she become someone who meet Laurie, it feels like something more than time alone was required. The clue or hint in the book was the sense of being violated, and thus a righteous anger -- an enlivening emotion and source of energy, plus lost treasure regained like the sense of swimming, and also newly acquired dimensions, both Monet and waitress skills led on to further explorations in life (sculpture and housekeeping)...

some were written in absence, like father, like the rest of her brother

taking mother to galleries and museums without any hesitation or second thought felt cruel, the whole trip felt like out of mercy and moral obligation more than the bond. But new eyes and finding out each other can be of help were a relief and heartening experience for both.

the something in painting and sculpture feels like spontaneity, and perhaps confidence, a confidence that was foreign to restraints and timidity.

only managed to read past the first 20 pages for it's a real story.

patience, poise, consideration/ self restraint, having an understanding of the essence of life and ability to notice details in life that others, these lauded virtues feels half cliche half true, and are vengence or compensation for typical missing elements in east asian upbringings.

circumstances become very real and impactful when people need to run for life, leaving homeland in whole and struggle to make ends meet in a bustling new land. the remnant of frugality is something can be laughed at, the rest of legacy seem overcome -- 'integrated' into life, in reasonable proportions. talking about miracle of time, and life.