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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
“Within every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so it goes, into the end of time.”
I’ve had this book on my TBR and I finally was able to get to it. Historical fiction is a genre that I’ve only really been into for the last year and half or so, but I’ve found that these stories can be absolutely stunning and heart-wrenching, and this one was no different.
This story span decades, starting in the 1930s during China’s conflict with Japan through the Civil War that continued to 1949 and through to the 2000s. It also takes the read to China, Taiwan, New York, Illinois, Texas, and New Mexico. The storyline follows Meilin, who flees with her young son to seek refuge. Years later her son, who now goes by the name Henry, is dealing with his daughter Lily wants to understand her heritage, but Henry refused to talk about his childhood.
It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking exploration of generational trauma, racism, survival, and identity. Meilin is such an incredible character who does whatever she can to survive with her son, and Henry is inspiring even though he is clearly flawed and has been deeply affected by the events of his childhood. When Lily tries to understand her heritage and join a Chinese school, she struggles with her identity of being Chinese but not quite Chinese enough. This book expertly handles these topics to crest this incredible story of family and understanding.
The writing itself is really immersive and detailed, even though there were some moments that did drag just a bit for me. It can be heavy in the details of the past although this is necessary for the background and setup of the story as whole. Overall it’s such a stunning story that managed to tackle to much in such detail that it’s hard to put down.
4.5 ⭐️ This was a multi-generational story done right! Each story weaved it’s way into another so smoothly. And the storytelling was just lovely. I did find it hard to pick the book up from time to time but then after a few pages, I’d be determined to know how the story would continue.
I loved this!
I loved the symbolism and the fables. I loved how it showed the impacts of being an immigrant and the battles of integrating into a different country! It was beautifully written
I loved the symbolism and the fables. I loved how it showed the impacts of being an immigrant and the battles of integrating into a different country! It was beautifully written
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
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
This was a little hard to get into, but then I easily got caught up in Meilin’s story. Renshu/Henry was a little frustrating and didn’t seem to be the man that Renshu would grow up to be.
What an amazing first novel!!
What an amazing first novel!!
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moving, heart-wrenching, and beautiful. A glimpse into what love, survival and identity look like across 3 generations. So so good, I wish I could read it again for the first time.