Timeless Like All Great Love Stories: Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings

Never judge a book by its cover. It's a hard and fast rule of anyone who consideres themselves a true bibliophile. Great content does not require stunning cover art. But I have a secret. A horribly guilty pleasure: Nine times out of ten, I'll buy a book without even reading the back of it if it has beautiful jacket art. A bad habit, I know. But what's even worse is that, nine times out of ten, the story will be, at best, mediocre, a real let down.

This time, however, I really hit the jackpot. Sam Meekings "Under Fishbone Clouds" was every bit as beautiful as the picture published on its front. It is the exception, the one-in-ten, if you will. How could I not recommend reading it?

The Specifics:

"Under Fishbone Clouds" by Sam Meekings
December 2010
416 Pages

My Review: A beautiful book with beautiful moments, it made me remember why I love to read.

Who'd Love It: Anyone who likes a subtle love story (Not a steamy love story. . . Don't pick it up expecting hot sex and action.)

What's It About: A cast of expertly crafted characters who struggle to understand love in a time when the world doesn't seem to have any.

When's It Set: China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937 to 1945), and the following Cultural Revolution

What I Thought:
For some books, it's very hard to find a quote to sum up the story. As a whole, the book will be excellent, but I won't be able to find that one sentence or single phrase that captures the essence of the novel. This was not the case with Sam Meekings' "Under Fishbone Clouds." Not at all. Not in any way. Each sentence was more beautiful than the last one.

Simply speaking, "Under Fishbone Clouds" is a love story. Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy loves girl even when the world falls apart. But speaking simply does not do Meekings or his story justice. Like all of the great novels, "Under Fishbone Clouds" is like (excuse the cliche) an onion. You have to peel it back one layer at a time and know that you might start crying.

Tissue Box Warning: Ladies and the more sensitive Gents, this is not the story to read after a break-up.

More than a love story, the plot and author take on a huge task: To unravel the human heart and find what's at its center. Hate, greet, heartbreak, loneliness. All these emotions play into this story about a couple trying to decipher love. The result is a story that is breathtaking.

Clearly, I thought this book was pretty perfect. And if I've convinced you to pick it up, great. But know this first: "Under Fishbone Clouds" is not an epic love story. The characters are not larger than life, and in my opinion, it's what makes the story beautiful. But if you're looking for passion like Romeo and Juliet or a romance so sultry that you're willing to read three bad books to get to the sex scene (yes, I am talking about "Twilight"), then "Under Fishbone Clouds" is not your story.

Subtle. That's what this story is. And that's why it's so touching. Love is not just the property of fictional giants, but a blessing that we all must learn to live with. And that's exactly what Meekings portrays in his stunning debut novel.

For a summary of "Under Fishbone Clouds," read my post, "Up Next: Under Fishbone Clouds."