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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
This was a chonky boi but I enjoyed the historical nature and viewing the turmoil in China as it went through various iterations, and not just the cultural revolution. I thought Meilin’s story didn’t need the other two to round it out but I didn’t dislike them either.
emotional
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:
Yes
I knew nothing about this book, but was attracted by the title when it came up in my recommendations. I love a wide-reaching narrative that takes me to unfamiliar times and places, changes narrators with different points of view, and spans generations. China from 1938 to the present certainly meets those criteria, but we also get plenty of U.S. scenes and POV. It's a moving story that really held my interest as a listener.
A multi-generational story of survival and finding one’s sense of identity and home. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The plot moved slowly at first, but from about 25% through, I couldn’t put it down. I don’t know much about modern Chinese history, so this was a fascinating, but at times heartbreaking story.
A nice story, decently written, fine but nothing special
This remarkable story follows three generations of one Chinese family through wars, immigration and identity.
Told in several parts, the story follows Meilin, son Renshu, and granddaughter Lily and spans almost seven decades.
It begins in 1938, when Meilin flees China with her 4 year-old son, as Japan invades China. It ends in the early 2000’s with American born Lily trying to get answers about her Chinese heritage from her dad.
I learned so much from this book. It helped me gain an understanding of the impacts of war on Chinese citizens during both the Japan invasion and the Chinese Civil War. It highlights the cost of war on refugees as they flee their home and shed their identity to assimilate into a new culture and find a new place to call home.
I highly recommend this wonderfully written book.
Told in several parts, the story follows Meilin, son Renshu, and granddaughter Lily and spans almost seven decades.
It begins in 1938, when Meilin flees China with her 4 year-old son, as Japan invades China. It ends in the early 2000’s with American born Lily trying to get answers about her Chinese heritage from her dad.
I learned so much from this book. It helped me gain an understanding of the impacts of war on Chinese citizens during both the Japan invasion and the Chinese Civil War. It highlights the cost of war on refugees as they flee their home and shed their identity to assimilate into a new culture and find a new place to call home.
I highly recommend this wonderfully written book.
I'd like to give this more stars, but like with so many novels these days, it fell into "trying to finish this FAST-itis" during the last quarter or so.
medium-paced
Heartbreaking. If you want a book that makes you cry following a family's story over generations then this is for you