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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
My favourite part was when everyone told me exactly how they felt and names were used constantly, over and over, so I’d never have the slightest doubt as to how they were feeling or who they were addressing or who was talking. “Beautifully written” is apt if your choice of utensil was a sledgehammer, that is how subtle and delicate the prose is.
“There are no easy decisions in difficult times”
A wonderful read following a mother, her son, and his daughter across WWII China, the Chinese Civil War, the Cold War, and into the modern day.
I didn’t know much of the history and politics surrounding China in the 20th century, and I was inspired to do more reading about it after reading this book. It was interesting to see how the tensions across the ocean continued to affect Henry even when he was a US citizen and virtually safe from the war back home.
The conflict with identity between Henry and Lily was very interesting and was one I could partially relate to myself. Henry’s approach to being Chinese in America is vastly different from his daughter who yearns to be more involved with her heritage. The parallels between Henry and Lily in college serve to bring up further questions of how our background and identity shape our future.
Overall, a very well written and heartfelt novel I would recommend to fans of historical fiction.
A wonderful read following a mother, her son, and his daughter across WWII China, the Chinese Civil War, the Cold War, and into the modern day.
I didn’t know much of the history and politics surrounding China in the 20th century, and I was inspired to do more reading about it after reading this book. It was interesting to see how the tensions across the ocean continued to affect Henry even when he was a US citizen and virtually safe from the war back home.
The conflict with identity between Henry and Lily was very interesting and was one I could partially relate to myself. Henry’s approach to being Chinese in America is vastly different from his daughter who yearns to be more involved with her heritage. The parallels between Henry and Lily in college serve to bring up further questions of how our background and identity shape our future.
Overall, a very well written and heartfelt novel I would recommend to fans of historical fiction.
I really like the premise of the story and parts of it are beautifully written, however, it dragged in places. It is a multi-generational story that begins when the Japanese invade a province in China in 1938 and ends in the United States in 2005. During that time, you see the strength a mother bears to protect her son, and later, due to the trauma of the past, the lengths a father will go to protect his daughter from it. There is obviously Chinese history and culture throughout it as well. You can even learn a handful of Mandarin words. Overall, I enjoyed the story that took place in China and Taiwan more than the American storyline. I do recommend it if you like historical fiction, cultural fiction, or just enjoy having diversity in your reading journey (which everyone should).
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
amaaaaaazing. reads like an epic saga but touches on a lot of things i can personally relate to as a biracial asian american. let’s just say i was crying by the end of part two.
Started out strong but the more we got to know the characters the less I enjoyed the book. Author's writing does little to support the character's actions and relationships between each other. I find that I have to remind myself of what happened to certain characters in order to sympathize - this to me betrays the lack of depth. The first half had me captivated as it was largely plot driven but as the plot settles I find it harder and harder to continue reading. Once we're past the action, the author's sequential and concise style of writing does not do any of the characters justice. The writing makes me feel like we're just trying to get to the next part of the story at all times—and that is how I read most of the book.
Book review: Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu 4/5⭐
This is a beautiful historical fiction novel set in 1938 China during the Second World War where Japan is invading the country and our main characters have to flee their home.
At its core this book is a character driven surival story. Which is centered around our main character Meilin who does everything to protect her son Ronshu.
This is a beautiful historical fiction novel set in 1938 China during the Second World War where Japan is invading the country and our main characters have to flee their home.
At its core this book is a character driven surival story. Which is centered around our main character Meilin who does everything to protect her son Ronshu.
One I struggled to get into at first, but well worth persevering.
Set in China during the Japanese invasion and subsequent civil war, we follow a family's struggle to flee, adapt and survive. Amidst the horrors, many homes and family members are lost but they live on through the stories we tell.
Renshu is only 4 when they first have to flee, but they will be uprooted many times more during his childhood. As they travel, his mother reads him stories from a beautiful scroll.
Through their hardship, Renshu manages to study hard, catch up on his missed schooling and earns a prestigious place at an American University. Still he is not safe and has to be very careful of who he speaks to and what he says.
He wants to shield his daughter from the political danger so says very little. However, she is still drawn to find out more where ever she can.
Set in China during the Japanese invasion and subsequent civil war, we follow a family's struggle to flee, adapt and survive. Amidst the horrors, many homes and family members are lost but they live on through the stories we tell.
Renshu is only 4 when they first have to flee, but they will be uprooted many times more during his childhood. As they travel, his mother reads him stories from a beautiful scroll.
Through their hardship, Renshu manages to study hard, catch up on his missed schooling and earns a prestigious place at an American University. Still he is not safe and has to be very careful of who he speaks to and what he says.
He wants to shield his daughter from the political danger so says very little. However, she is still drawn to find out more where ever she can.