Historical Fiction· United States
The valley of amazement
by Amy TanAggregate Editorial Score35/100
Publishers Weekly
Published 2013English
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Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The valley of amazement (2013) by Amy Tan continues to receive. A masterwork of historical fiction, The valley of amazement by Amy Tan (2013) recreates the past with extraordinary detail and emotional depth.
Book Details
About the Category
🗺️ Historical Fiction
Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.
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🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
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Amy Tan published The valley of amazement in 2013, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of historical fiction from United States. The book's treatment of the human condition accounts for much of its enduring reputation.
With an editorial score of 35/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
What distinguishes The valley of amazement is how it handles its central concerns — the human condition — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it.
The valley of amazement reflects Amy Tan's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Publishers Weekly
notable · national
201335
Amy Tan is a United States author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.
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