Girl Who Played Go, The

  9 Reviews

Kiriyama Fiction Prize Winner. Set in Japanese-occupied Manchuria in the 1930s. In the "Square of a Thousand Winds", a sixteen-year-old Chinese girl beats all-comers at the ancient game of Go. One of her opponents is a Japanese officer of the occupying power. Their encounters are like the game itself - subtle, but surprisingly fierce.

Comments from Groups

Some found this an easy read, others found it harder to keep up with the changing of character in each chapter. It needs to be read in longer goes rather than stopping and starting. The true story only becomes apparent in the last 1/2 of the book. Southbridge 001

Everyone in our group found this a difficult book to read. In the beginning it was confusing as to who the narrator was. The mood is very dark, everyone expected a tragic ending. Everyone finished reading it but most felt like stopping part way through. Auckland 016

We had a varied reaction to this book - not always a great read before going to sleep. Another nightmarish book on the futility of war! - and an insight into two quite different cultures - well worth reading. TeKuiti 002

Most of the group enjoyed reading this book because of the brilliant writing and good translation but we all thought it was a 'nasty' story!! But war is never good. The short chapters and 1st person narration made it very 'immediate' as though we were there - a very worthwhile read. Wellington 74

Reviews

AUCK 006

09-01-2023

Half of the group read the book and (naturally) half didn't. Of those who did read it half wanted to read it again. Unfortunately not because they enjoyed the book but because they had difficulty adjusting to the way it was written and felt that to appreciate it they would need to read it again. Those who did read it, and finish it, enjoyed the descriptive language. Probably not one of our better choices but in saying that we did get a good discussion out of it which is the point of the group.

TAUR 015

09-01-2023

A delicate story cleverly told by the two main characters, who take it in turns. Helpful notes.

WHITBY 002

09-01-2023

A thought provoking book with beautiful, simple and poetic writing. It was historically and culturally interesting but we found the characters superficial, and it did not engage. Pleased to have read it but would not describe it as an enjoyable read.

AUCK 155

09-01-2023

We all enjoyed reading this, and had a good discussion.

WELL 016

09-01-2023

On the whole people liked it, but it was a short discussion - not enough to keep it going. The ending of the book was not entirely convincing.

NGON 002

09-01-2023

Some enjoyed while others thought it improbable. The ending seemed the only way it could have gone. Recommend.

WELL 045

09-01-2023

Great - the best discussion yet.

AUCK 248

09-01-2023

This was not a favourite book for the group. The chapters were very short and the changing of 'voices' each time was very jarring. A sad story.

NEWP 001

09-01-2023

A haunting and unbelievably sad story, but I guess it shows an incredibly brutal and bleak time.