A Cup of Light: A Novel

Skillfully constructed & expertly turned. Then wrapped nicely in a brocade box. Step into a world of delicate twists & curving refinement.

This is the third book i've read by Nicole Mones - I started with The Last Chinese Chef (a MUST read - loved it) and then Lost in Translation (not the same plot as movie by same name - MUCH better than that), and now Cup of Light. It was slow starting, but i guess that was establishing the backstory of the main character. Although each book has different characters i'm beginning to see a similarity between the main female characters - which is fine because they, and the story woven around them, are interesting and worth exploring. There is only one Nicole Mones left, sadly, and i hope she writes more books. Cup of Light provides an amazing look into the history of porcelain in China and the smuggling trade. Once you get a bit past the beginning the book picks up and by the middle it is completely addictive. so many parallel stories and POVs. Definitely worth a read IMHO.

Nicole Mones has a unique formula, and uses it to perfection. Her characters are always interesting, her stories unique, and the historical content nuanced and developed. This book is not the equal of Lost In Translation, but is nonetheless, excellent. Enjoyable to read, hard to put down, and perhaps, the greatest compliment, one wishes it were fleshed out more, and that it continued on. Nicole Mones, I am a fan of your writing. I have already ordered your third book, and will make it a point to stay abreast and read any and all books that you generate. These books are not classical works of art, but they are different from anything else, and wonderfully entertaining.

Although I found this book quite thrilling and almost couldn't stop reading, it disappointed me in the end. Questions like these stayed unanswered: - How did the fakes (the chicken cup obviously not being older than 1-2 years) get into the collection? - Why was curator Li introduced and then forgotten only to be akwardly revived on one of the last pages? All the time the book promised to unveil great mysteries but when the love story took over they remained unsolved.

After enjoying the Last Chinese Chef I sought out Nicole Mones's other titles. This book is both educational about Chinese pottery or "pots" and another example of the implicit competency of professional women at work. After reading you will appreciate Chinese pottery, but become very cautious about paying high prices without consulting experts.

A bit of steamy romance added to this wonderful peek into ancient art of pottery and memory tools in the page-turner tradition of Nicole Mones’ Lost in Translation and also The Last Chinese Chef. Three great immersions in Chinese culture with suspense, romance and great writing.

This author uses her long experience in China to show the same events from different sides and to contrast Western and Chinese thinking. Along the way she offers a very realistic picture of what it feels like to be an outsider in China. Nothing is quite what it seems, no one is telling anyone else the full truth, and perceptions are based on where you are coming from. Is a wonderful copy of a piece of exquisite porcelain a criminal fraud, or the mark of artistic respect? How do the products of art affect those who make, buy, sell, and appreciate them? The characters all ring true for those who think they know China.

I enjoyed the detail and whilst I liked it for its technical and cultural content, I found it a little too slow moving.