Book Review of Flower Net, by Lisa See

I'm sorry everyone, but I feel like all my reviews have been negative as of lately. This one is no different, and that's why I'm going to read something this month that I know I already love. Enough about my, "woe is me" act. All that matters is that Flower Net became (quickly) boring to me. So without further adieu - a review!

Flower Net
By
Lisa See

Flower Net

By

Lisa See

     I’ve read a Lisa See novel before, and I will say that Flower Net is much different than I had thought. I wanted to read this novel as a nice break from the unexpected, and being familiar with See’s work I thought this was the perfect opportunity. Flower Net is centered around a man named David, and a woman named Hulan investigating two murders based in China and the United States. The investigation conducted by David and Hulan reveals a broader story between the deaths.       

     The most prominent characters are David, and Hulan. I think they were perfect spectrums for the novel. David was more forward, outspoken, and a stringent person when it came to order. He reminded me of an individual that would read a manual twice over before actually using an item, whereas Hulan was almost always the opposite. She was more reserved, willing to push forward without order, and jump into a situation than David.  

     I wanted to love Flower Net, I really truly did, but I didn’t. Maybe I put too much faith in See for the other novels I’ve read of hers. The sad thing is though this particular novel reminded me of something that could be made directly into a movie. There are some books that can pull off a novel like that, yet Flower Net doesn’t make the cut. David and Hulan to me were an interesting pair, however I didn’t like them as a couple. To be frank I would’ve enjoyed the novel more had the relationship not been a factor.       

     I don’t know why Lisa See had to make a relationship part of the underlying story as well as the main story. I think sometimes writers use relationships as a crux in story-writing, and unfortunately that focus to me hinders my desire to focus. In addition it almost made me not finish Flower Net, and I found it hard to bring myself to even write I review. I’m glad I’ve read other novels by Lisa See, because with how Flower Net turned out it would’ve put me off from reading another novel. It’s a great book to read for those who want a high-dialogue focused novel, and something that reads like a screen play. If those things aren’t something you like, than I’d give this book a break before opening it. 

My rating: 2.75 out of 5 Stars.

I'm so tired of my less than ideal book picks, and I don't want to delve more into this because I'm already finished with Flower Net.