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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Late review but
I loved learning a little about the Chinese Exclusion Act in America, which I've never really heard of, and the gold rush that happened in states like Idaho. Being a 3rd/4th generation Chinese immigrant myself (but to indonesia), I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if my great-great grandfather had chosen another country besides Indonesia. Would things have fared much differently?
The writing was just not the best though. Its attempts on being lyrical fell flat at times, to the point where it kind of reads like a YA
I loved learning a little about the Chinese Exclusion Act in America, which I've never really heard of, and the gold rush that happened in states like Idaho. Being a 3rd/4th generation Chinese immigrant myself (but to indonesia), I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if my great-great grandfather had chosen another country besides Indonesia. Would things have fared much differently?
The writing was just not the best though. Its attempts on being lyrical fell flat at times, to the point where it kind of reads like a YA
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A beautifully written tragedy that gives a window into a part of American history not often remembered or discussed.
This gripping and compelling historical fiction work is a stunning debut! I was very drawn to Lin Daiyu and her powerful experiences. Being a woman or a minority has never been easy, and our world still suffers from the injustices that occur against women and immigrants. How sad to think that we have made such little progress against the ignorance and hate of those who live in fear and jealousy.
This is the story of a young girl who transforms herself repeatedly in order to survive. At first she is daughter Lin Daiyu living happily in a remote fishing village in China, then Feng, a calligraphy student of Master Wang in Zhifu, then Peony, a girl who is forced to work at a brothel in San Francisco, and finally Jacob Li, who works at a store in Pierce, Idaho. Her fortitude and inner strength are inspiring.
Zhang based this story on actual events that occurred in 1885 as a result of the anti-Chinese sentiment in the western US. Workers there believed that Chinese immigrants were the cause of declining wages and less economic opportunity.
The four treasures of the study of calligraphy are the ink brush, ink stick, paper and inkstone. Zhang uses the art of calligraphy as a metaphor to living an honorable life.
This is the story of a young girl who transforms herself repeatedly in order to survive. At first she is daughter Lin Daiyu living happily in a remote fishing village in China, then Feng, a calligraphy student of Master Wang in Zhifu, then Peony, a girl who is forced to work at a brothel in San Francisco, and finally Jacob Li, who works at a store in Pierce, Idaho. Her fortitude and inner strength are inspiring.
Zhang based this story on actual events that occurred in 1885 as a result of the anti-Chinese sentiment in the western US. Workers there believed that Chinese immigrants were the cause of declining wages and less economic opportunity.
The four treasures of the study of calligraphy are the ink brush, ink stick, paper and inkstone. Zhang uses the art of calligraphy as a metaphor to living an honorable life.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really beautifully written. The consistent theme of names & associated identities will stick with me for a long, long time; the ending, too, obviously.
This is local history to me, and I will be walking the streets that were once Boise's Chinatown next time I'm downtown. I can't believe (and also, absolutely can) that I knew so little about this historical period in my home's history & the discrimination, violence, racism that Chinese immigrants faced.
This is local history to me, and I will be walking the streets that were once Boise's Chinatown next time I'm downtown. I can't believe (and also, absolutely can) that I knew so little about this historical period in my home's history & the discrimination, violence, racism that Chinese immigrants faced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking
I feel like I'm on a quest to read all the books I wish were around when I was growing up. This was a stunning historical fiction that was well-researched and beautifully written.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a book! You will not finish this book feeling especially happy about the world, especially if you are already aware of the history of Chinese-Americans in Idaho/United States. It's rough, a tragedy, and something that forces readers to take a long look at harsh truths and re-evaluate preconceived notions of immigration in the historical context. Such a great and necessary read!