I read Phyllis Hoge Thompson's "Letters from Jian Hui" the day it arrived, read it with admiration, read it with emotions deeply stirred. "Letters" produced in me an intense emotional response, container and content so handsomely fused--eloquent text, lovely binding, delicate type face, evocative illustrations. Kristina Kachele and Mina Yamashita are to be congratulated for their contributions.

The voice of the Letters from Jian Hui captures the sometimes humorous, often poignant linguistic surprises a foreign speaker brings to another language--in these poems a native Mandarin speaker is struggling to express herself in English. "Usually there is not much to do and I am boring." I like the way this happens through the series of poems without ever being overdone. I especially like the sense of earnestness I hear in Jian Hui, that earnestness and desire to do the very best that she possibly can rings very true to experience with overseas Chinese friends. Nothing is taken for granted and friendships are deeply treasured.

I liked the book. I didn't think I'd be much interested in a "woman's" book, so when a friend recommended it, I was doubtful. I was pleasantly surprised. There is something enjoyable on every page. Sometimes it is funny, at other times it had me remembering similar occasions in my own life, and looking at them from a fresh angle. I have been to Mogollon, and this book seems to capture the essence of the place. It is easy reading. I enjoyed it so much, I read it aloud to a friend so I could experience it all over again.

The Painted Clock is written as poetry in prose, drawing the reader into the landscape, the community, the story, the mind of the writer with keen observation of the inner skeleton of characters and relationships. Looking beyond surface presentation straight to the core, the author lets us experience Mogollon and its inhabitants as vibrant and real. She writes with clarity and wit and a wisdom that rejoices in watching life unfold.