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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
If you loved Pachinko, I would definitely recommend this novel as well. A sweeping novel crossing multiple generations. Beautifully written.
'Two monks were walking through the countryside on a spring day.' ... 'Deep in conversation about what it means to become truly enlightened, they come to a roaring river. A peasant woman sitting on the bank called out. '"Please, dear brothers, will you help me cross? I cannot swim and I'm afraid of the rapids".
'Without a moment's hesitation, the older monk bent down, lifted the woman and walked into the river. The waters swirled and tugged at his robes, but calm and sure-footed, he brought her to safety on the the other side. He set her down on the shore and bowed.
'"Thank you, dear brother!" she said, bowing back. Then she gathered her slightly wet bundle and continued on her way.
'The whole time, the younger monk followed behind without saying a word.
'They continued walking down the road, now in silence. After some time, the younger monk began to sigh and wrinkle his nose. He became more and more agitated until he could contain his frustration no more.
'"Brother, how could you do that?"
'"Do what?"
'"Carry that woman! You know it is against the rules of our order to have any contact with females. Why did you break that rule?"
'The older monk stopped and looked at the younger monk straight in the eye.
'They stool lke that for a long time, neither speaking a word.
'Finally, the older monk said, "Brother, I set that woman down on the other side of the river. Why are you still carrying her?"'
Meilin takes her arm from Renshu's shoulder and turns to face him. 'Renshu, let's not carry anything that we've already left behind.'
'Two monks were walking through the countryside on a spring day.' ... 'Deep in conversation about what it means to become truly enlightened, they come to a roaring river. A peasant woman sitting on the bank called out. '"Please, dear brothers, will you help me cross? I cannot swim and I'm afraid of the rapids".
'Without a moment's hesitation, the older monk bent down, lifted the woman and walked into the river. The waters swirled and tugged at his robes, but calm and sure-footed, he brought her to safety on the the other side. He set her down on the shore and bowed.
'"Thank you, dear brother!" she said, bowing back. Then she gathered her slightly wet bundle and continued on her way.
'The whole time, the younger monk followed behind without saying a word.
'They continued walking down the road, now in silence. After some time, the younger monk began to sigh and wrinkle his nose. He became more and more agitated until he could contain his frustration no more.
'"Brother, how could you do that?"
'"Do what?"
'"Carry that woman! You know it is against the rules of our order to have any contact with females. Why did you break that rule?"
'The older monk stopped and looked at the younger monk straight in the eye.
'They stool lke that for a long time, neither speaking a word.
'Finally, the older monk said, "Brother, I set that woman down on the other side of the river. Why are you still carrying her?"'
Meilin takes her arm from Renshu's shoulder and turns to face him. 'Renshu, let's not carry anything that we've already left behind.'
Realistically I'm torn between a 3 and 4 here. Maybe a solid 3.75?
The writing was immensely lyrical and fluid, much like the Chinese tales passed down between Meilin and Renshu and Lily. The themes interwoven throughout were also heartbreaking and yet inspiring. That being said, it felt a little like the story dragged on and really took the 80 or so years it spanned between.
I found Renshu hard to empathize with and kind of dragged during his portion of the novel. It was incredibly interesting to read about someone of Chinese culture not wanting to pass it down (for obvious reasons in the story) and providing a sort of identity crisis not only for their children but for themselves.
Overall, I am glad that I took the time to finish this story. I think I would only recommend this to a small group of friends due to the length and overall slow pacing.
The writing was immensely lyrical and fluid, much like the Chinese tales passed down between Meilin and Renshu and Lily. The themes interwoven throughout were also heartbreaking and yet inspiring. That being said, it felt a little like the story dragged on and really took the 80 or so years it spanned between.
I found Renshu hard to empathize with and kind of dragged during his portion of the novel. It was incredibly interesting to read about someone of Chinese culture not wanting to pass it down (for obvious reasons in the story) and providing a sort of identity crisis not only for their children but for themselves.
Overall, I am glad that I took the time to finish this story. I think I would only recommend this to a small group of friends due to the length and overall slow pacing.
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was a bit slow getting into this book but the pace was good towards the middle and end.
I didn't find the symbolism of the scroll that compelling and as a result other themes could have been stronger.
I feel the book could have have further character development of Meillin.
I didn't find the symbolism of the scroll that compelling and as a result other themes could have been stronger.
I feel the book could have have further character development of Meillin.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
As someone who holds multigenerational female-driven historical fiction close to my heart (ie. Wild Swans, Pachinko, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Covenant of Water), this book is now firmly lodged in the category of my favorite sweeping epics. Melissa Fu does something with Meilin and Renshu that is equal parts familiar in its heart wrenching journey and yet refreshing and unexpected in its twists and turns.
I did want more out of Lily’s story, and I think it’s a shame the third act didn’t hit as emotionally as the first two. However, by the time we returned to Taiwan and wrapped the story back around full circle, there was no doubt in my mind that Peach Blossom Spring is one of the most beautifully written fables of suffering, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward no matter the cost.
I did want more out of Lily’s story, and I think it’s a shame the third act didn’t hit as emotionally as the first two. However, by the time we returned to Taiwan and wrapped the story back around full circle, there was no doubt in my mind that Peach Blossom Spring is one of the most beautifully written fables of suffering, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward no matter the cost.
This may be my favorite book I read this year. I cried on the subway more times reading this book than I have in my entire New York life. A complex story about identity thay was so beautifully written.