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haleysversion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Child death, Sexual assault, Racism, War, Violence, Rape, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death of parent
pollyflorence's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Peach Blossom Spring is one of those books where you don’t notice the time passing as you’re reading, it’s one that’s engaging and difficult to put down and it’s one that is just a perfect example of why I love storytelling. Through Melissa Fu’s clear, succinct but beautiful prose comes a story spanning decades from 1938 onwards and generations of one family fleeing war and journeying across China, Taiwan and the US— something that is close to being flawlessly done in a book under 400 pages.
There are many themes that I thought were beautifully explored in Peach Blossom Spring, including identity, generational trauma, loss and grief. One of things that I especially appreciated though was how Fu makes a point, through the different characters and decades, to portray many unique examples of immigrant experience— positive and negative experiences alike. I also adored the inclusion of Chinese fables that are weaved beautifully and skilfully throughout the novel from beginning to end. I am sure that this vivid, captivating novel, that really captures the importance and joy of storytelling, will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you to Headline/Wildfire Publishing for the review copy of Peach Blossom Spring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and War
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