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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Similar to [b:Pachinko|34051011|Pachinko|Lee Min-jin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529845599l/34051011._SY75_.jpg|50384116] in tone and time period, Peach Blossom Spring tells the epic story of Meilin and her son, Renshu, and how they navigated the tumultuous period during WWII when the Japanese invaded China. They must flee numerous times, endure grueling conditions, and seek shelter from bombs during this turbulent time period.
Because Meilin's husband dies early on in the story, she must rely on her brother-in-law and his connections to find safety from the chaos, while also enduring his wife's wrath towards Meilin and her son. Throughout their journey, Meilin keeps an antique scroll with her, one that contains beautiful illustrations, which she uses to share stories and lessons with her son. As the Japanese and Communists advance, Meilin flees to Taiwan with Renshu, losing track of her in-laws and forming a new family with Peiwen, whom she met on the boat.
Eventually, Renshu is offered an opportunity to study in America, the ultimate dream. His experience in a foreign place was very similar to the one my father had when he came to America in the early 1990s; exciting but very lonely. He establishes a life here, forming his own family, but still affected by his traumatic childhood in China. This epic tale is heart-wrenching, beautifully written, and completely immersive. It gave me a better understanding of what people endured during this period of wartime and political unrest, as well as the obstacles Chinese immigrants faced in America. This book is an absolute treasure.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown, & Company for the ARC.
Because Meilin's husband dies early on in the story, she must rely on her brother-in-law and his connections to find safety from the chaos, while also enduring his wife's wrath towards Meilin and her son. Throughout their journey, Meilin keeps an antique scroll with her, one that contains beautiful illustrations, which she uses to share stories and lessons with her son. As the Japanese and Communists advance, Meilin flees to Taiwan with Renshu, losing track of her in-laws and forming a new family with Peiwen, whom she met on the boat.
Eventually, Renshu is offered an opportunity to study in America, the ultimate dream. His experience in a foreign place was very similar to the one my father had when he came to America in the early 1990s; exciting but very lonely. He establishes a life here, forming his own family, but still affected by his traumatic childhood in China. This epic tale is heart-wrenching, beautifully written, and completely immersive. It gave me a better understanding of what people endured during this period of wartime and political unrest, as well as the obstacles Chinese immigrants faced in America. This book is an absolute treasure.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown, & Company for the ARC.
Okay.. so I picked this book based on the cover! I absolutely loved it from cover to cover! With the family ultimately living in my home state, I was a little thrilled. The details of war, the beautiful stories shared, every page of this book.. carries the reader along the lives of the characters. A very beautiful read!!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The novel draws you into the main characters, and I found it hard to put down. You just want to believe that the terrible historical events they endure lead to better lives for the protagonists. It is beautifully written with believable characters. The novel is historically and culturally informative while not getting bogged down in facts. Sad, inspiring, and hopeful.
muito bom o livro, mas achei que tem uma visão muito estadunidense. enfim, teria dado mais estrelas se não fosse por esse ponto (que me incomodou bastante ao longo da leitura). vale ressaltar a delicadeza como a questão identitária é tratada, que ao meu ver é um dos pontos mais fortes da obra.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a book about what happens to the people who were effected by WWII specifically the Chinese, and Taiwanese who are effected. It follows a family, through three generations. A Chinese mother who did her best to keep her son safe through the war and its aftermath. The son who does his best to make his mother proud, and safe, eventually immigrating from Taiwan to America. Then finally his daughter, a half Chinese, half American girl who struggles to completely fit in with either.