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John Derbyshire
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Seeing Calvin Coolidge in a Dream: A Novel Paperback – July 15, 1997

by John Derbyshire (Author)
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This is a magical novel of a Chinese immigrant's coming to terms with himself, his marriage, and America--and the unlikely moral force that guides his life.

Chai is middle-aged, a disillusioned formed Red Guard who escaped China for Hong Kong and then America, where he works in New York as a banker. He and his wife, Ding, are the parents of an infant and enjoy a contented marriage; he develops a fond obsession with President Calvin Coolidge, the taciturn New Englander whose wry wit and wisdom delights Chai. One day, a chance discovery leads him astray: He learns that a lover from his youth is now in Boston, living with her husband and their son. The son is Chai's very image, and the staid banker is inflamed by the implications of the resemblance. Confused by his emotions, he becomes determined to revive the affair. How Ding schemes to win back her wayward husband--and teach him the necessary truths about love--forms the plot and beguiling conclusion to John Derbyshire's tale.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Martin's Griffin
  4. Publication date
    July 15, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0312156499
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0312156497
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Takes the breath away...An absolute delight, a small but rich book in which every note is struck exactly right, a book one reads mesmerized."--Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

"Extraordinary...Combines originality, humor, satire, and warmth...Derbyshire is a fresh talent well worth watching."--Rocky Mountain News

"A note worthy debut...distinctive and promising...Possesses a quirky brio that causes it to linger in the reader's mind."--John Burnham Schwartz, The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

John Derbyshire was born in England, and educated at London University. He has traveled widely in East Asia, and has worked as a teacher, journalist, and computer programmer. He now lives in Huntington, New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition (July 15, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312156499
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312156497
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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John Derbyshire

John Derbyshire

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
23 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and clever. They also say the author is an English American who taught in China.

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Reading experienceEnjoyment
6 customers mention "Reading experience"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very clever, brilliant, and a good read.

"...good he could be at putting these views into a light-hearted and engaging novel...." Read more

"...A few really worthwhile twists in the story line. Derbyshire, when he isn't writing math books, should try another novel for us all." Read more

"...So be it. If you want a good, thoughtful read, try this acclaimed book." Read more

"This is a great historical novel. The primary character escapes from Communist China, learns his way around Hong Kong, and migrates to America...." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and light-hearted.

"...The main character, a Chinese American immigrant, is a pure delight, as is the adventure he finds himself in as he toys with the idea of re-..." Read more

"I love this writer's voice. The book is thoughtful and entertaining...." Read more

"Witty and Fun..." Read more

"Light, bright and funny..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Alexander
5.0 out of 5 stars A delight from every point of view
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2015
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Derbyshire is one of my favorite bloggers and while I have read many of his views on politics and learned a great deal from him over the years, I hadn't realized how good he could be at putting these views into a light-hearted and engaging novel. The main character, a Chinese American immigrant, is a pure delight, as is the adventure he finds himself in as he toys with the idea of re-kindling an old flame. I recommend that everyone read this book.
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RoosterFitly
4.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2013
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Writer gives insight into China life, and the protagonist's breakaway from China, with delightful tidbits of Coolidge wisdom. A few really worthwhile twists in the story line. Derbyshire, when he isn't writing math books, should try another novel for us all.
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Walter Fekula
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2000
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I am the Boris in John Derbyshire's brilliant first novel. I have had the priviledge of having Mr. Derbyshire work in my Department at a Wall Street firm allowing him to write his novel at the office. What has John done? He has put together a masterful novel of a Chinese immigrant who comes to this country with his Chinese wife and as many of us do, fantasizes about a former girlfriend who has also immigrated to this country. Unlike many of us husbands, he visits her. He then weaves in the 30th president of the United States who helps preserve his marriage. It should be noted that Mr. Derbyshire is English, went to China to teach and fell in love with and married one of his students. He does have a genuine fondness for Mr. Coolidge. We have debated to what extent the book is autobiographical, which he vehemetly denies although his wife hates the book. So be it. If you want a good, thoughtful read, try this acclaimed book.
39 people found this helpful
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Ralph Osgood
5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and Fun
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2013
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Derbyshire is a great writer; and this novel is no exception. I wish he did more fiction! With the renewed popularity of Coolidge, this work should draw renewed interest. You want to reach into the book and smack Chai during most of his struggle - but it makes for a great journey.
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Gregory Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical novel set in three countries
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2013
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This is a great historical novel. The primary character escapes from Communist China, learns his way around Hong Kong, and migrates to America. The author uses the story to share some too little-known facts about the history of all three counties. A friend of mine who is from Hong Kong read the book and was impressed by the author's detailed knowledge of his homeland. At the end of the book, the hero has to resolve a moral dilema.
2 people found this helpful
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Jerry Jay Carroll
4.0 out of 5 stars Light, bright and funny
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2016
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John Derbyshire is a very bright guy who has the kind of dry humor only the Brits do this well. He needed advice on the title, however. It's not one that would see books fly off the shelves.
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Russell M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Clever
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2015
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A very clever novel by and English American who taught in China, married into that culture, and clearly learned it very well. Would that all Americans, native or immigrant, have the admiration for Calvin Coolidge that the author and his narrator share.
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A. Stout IV
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2013
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I love this writer's voice. The book is thoughtful and entertaining. It's also a good length, so you won't have to schedule your life around it to finish the story in a reasonable time.
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