Olga had always enjoyed the character-centered books written by Adele Kwan and wanted to r

ead another one if it seemed interesting and was written in the same style. Olga wasn't sure, however, whether she should spend part of her savings on Kwan's latest book, The Newcomer. She hoped the following book reviews in her high school newspaper would help her make a decision.

Novel without a plot

By Carlo Dante

I just finished reading Adele Kwan's latest novel, The Newcomer, and was disappointed. In my opinion the book does not have enough plot to be considered a novel.

The newcomer in this book is Violet Wang. She's fifteen when her family moves from San Franciso's Chinatown to a small town in Washington State. In this town everyone knows each other, and none of the other residents are Chinese. Violet's challenge is to fit in. Sensitive and intelligent, she amuses shoes who know her well but is shy and reserved with strangers.

These circumstances could have provided the basis for an interesting story. I particularly enjoyed learning about Chinese American culture and Violet's strong family ties. However, this book has no real plot. There is no action to follow. Instead the author emphasizes what is happening in Violet's head as she finds her way in her new home. We are introduced to new characters and situations only as they are viewed by the introspective Violet. When she arrives at her new school, for example, the reader is forced to endure page after page describing Violet's classrooms, classmates, and teachers, with no excitement to keep us involved in the story.

If this had been a historical novel, at least the text could have elucidated what life was like daring a past era. If it had been a mystery, I would have had a reason to move form. one page to the next. Furthermore, Violet would have had a more intriguing way to demonstrate her intelligence and sensitivity.

As it is, I found The Newcomer uninteresting. The lack of plot and the reliance on a single character to support the entire book make for a dull, slow-moving reading experience. Although Ms. Kwan writes well, she has failed to presser a story worth reading.

A Book to Cherish

By Rachel Blythe

In last week's edition I read "Novel Without a Plot", an unflattering review of Adele Kwan's latest novel, I too, have read The Newcomer, and I strongly disagree with.

Carlo Dante's evaluation of this fine novel. Dante claims The Newcomer lacks a plot. He fails to recognize that some novels are plot-driven and others are character-centered. Clearly Dante prefers to read the former and feels justified in imposing his preference on all of us. There are many readers who do not require a story to propel us feverishly from one action-packed moment to the next. We are content to get to know an interesting character who encounters challenges and tries various ways to overcome them.

Violet Wang is a wouderful example of this type of character, and we are fortunate that the novel is told form. her point of view. We first experience her world in San Francisco, where she is surrounded by Chinese American traditions and the support of an extended family. We feel her confusion and traumatic sense of loss as she must leave all that is familiar to her.

When Violet arrives in the area that will be her new home, we see its beauty and mystery through her eyes. As she tries to adjust to life in a place where she feels like an outsider, many of us may remember similar times in our own lives. We ache when she hurts and feel triumph in our hearts when she experiences progress.

I won't tell you why. Violet has had to make such a drastic life change or how she comes to terms with it. Unlike Dante, I think that most readers would greatly enjoy this book. In these times of action-adventure movies and computer games, many have lost the patience to be readers, thinkers

A．encouraged

B．indifferent

C．confused

D．depressed