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amslersf's review against another edition
4.0
In the Fortunes, four narratives, each of a different historical period, try to make sense of Chinese American experience. Not each one captivated me, but I needed the reminder of the Vincent Chin murder case in the 1980s that helped galvanize a pan Asian American identity and commitment to activism. I'm a sucker for the post modern moves in the final section. A good read!
lizzieh96's review against another edition
3.0
Only read the first novella, "Gold," but it was compelling. The relationships felt real and Ling was an wonderfully conflicted character to get the story through. Definitely interested to read the rest sometime!
smartcassart's review against another edition
5.0
My first completed read of 2021 - and what a great way to start the year!
The Fortunes is a collection of 4 stories spanning 150 years to recast "American history from a fresh, unfamiliar angle" by following the lives and destinies of four characters of Chinese descent, in other words, an American story I've been looking for a long time that really resonates with me. Even though the contributions and impacts of Chinese immigrants and the Asian diaspora in North America in general is integral to its history, it is indeed 'unfamiliar' for how under-explored and overlooked it is, so to find a book that not only sheds light on these major events but also through a very nuanced, sensitive lens achieved by representing four different characters from four different time periods, each with their unique purposes and motivations, was a joy. I like that the writer tackles the disparities within the Chinese community as they deal with the external racial pressures from the Whites (as if that isn't enough) - between Chinese men and women, between the Chinese immigrants and the other working-class immigrants who felt they were usurped by this new influx of 'cheap labor', and by the displaced Chinese community formed on the new land and their families back home. The diaspora experience is one that is innumerably complex and painful, and Peter Ho Davies exposes the everyday indignities of being any one of these characters as they struggle with their lives and inner turmoil. Davies is an intelligent and empathic writer, drawing upon real-life events and stories that hundreds of thousands of Chinese had had to face during the four characters' respective time periods to illuminate the issues, but keeping it focused by adapting them into personal, fictionalized narratives that lends each major character their own unique voice, proving through masterful language that we are indeed, even as we deal with the same BS - not all the f**king same. There is A HUGE DIFFERENCE between being a Han Chinese or an ethnic minority (for example, Tanka like Ling from the first story), or being Chinese-born or an America-born Chinese. The prejudices each face differ as a result, but the struggle against stigmatization is universal. Hopefully with more exposure to stories like these, the Chinese race as a whole will stop being so homogenous to people.
The Fortunes is a collection of 4 stories spanning 150 years to recast "American history from a fresh, unfamiliar angle" by following the lives and destinies of four characters of Chinese descent, in other words, an American story I've been looking for a long time that really resonates with me. Even though the contributions and impacts of Chinese immigrants and the Asian diaspora in North America in general is integral to its history, it is indeed 'unfamiliar' for how under-explored and overlooked it is, so to find a book that not only sheds light on these major events but also through a very nuanced, sensitive lens achieved by representing four different characters from four different time periods, each with their unique purposes and motivations, was a joy. I like that the writer tackles the disparities within the Chinese community as they deal with the external racial pressures from the Whites (as if that isn't enough) - between Chinese men and women, between the Chinese immigrants and the other working-class immigrants who felt they were usurped by this new influx of 'cheap labor', and by the displaced Chinese community formed on the new land and their families back home. The diaspora experience is one that is innumerably complex and painful, and Peter Ho Davies exposes the everyday indignities of being any one of these characters as they struggle with their lives and inner turmoil. Davies is an intelligent and empathic writer, drawing upon real-life events and stories that hundreds of thousands of Chinese had had to face during the four characters' respective time periods to illuminate the issues, but keeping it focused by adapting them into personal, fictionalized narratives that lends each major character their own unique voice, proving through masterful language that we are indeed, even as we deal with the same BS - not all the f**king same. There is A HUGE DIFFERENCE between being a Han Chinese or an ethnic minority (for example, Tanka like Ling from the first story), or being Chinese-born or an America-born Chinese. The prejudices each face differ as a result, but the struggle against stigmatization is universal. Hopefully with more exposure to stories like these, the Chinese race as a whole will stop being so homogenous to people.
jess_segraves's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine a multigenerational novel, but not about members of the same family. This book is split into four sections, each covering a specific character - different in voice, style, and time period. What Davies does well is he brings it all together with threads and qualities that make the four characters feel nearly familial.
eling's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was an ambitious and mostly well-written read on a very timely subject, but I didn't find it as compelling as I'd hoped it would be. I appreciated the questions being asked and the history and background but found myself wanting more of a connection between the different sections and main characters. Still recommended.
dannb's review against another edition
4.0
Gold, Silver, Jade and Pearl- 4 novellas... many quotable/memorable sentences
Chinese in CA during "gold rush, Anna May Wong on the "silver screen," Vincent Chin's murder in Detroit, Americans adopting from China
Chinese in CA during "gold rush, Anna May Wong on the "silver screen," Vincent Chin's murder in Detroit, Americans adopting from China
martha_w's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Historical fiction that functions as a survey of the Chinese-American experience. Four stories told in four different time periods, spanning from the 1800s to the current day. A fantastic read!
kristianamr's review against another edition
5.0
The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies shares four stories from varied Chinese American perspectives. Each story, spanning two hundred years, explores and charts the relationship between China and America, how those who have immigrated or have been born in America attempt to find a home in America while struggling to call China home. Davies captures the feeling of displacement experienced in the Chinese American community due to anti-Asian prejudices as well as the pressures of Chinese tradition, culture and society.
The myriad of perspectives and voices in this book made for insightful but also uncomfortable reading. Uncomfortable in the best way. Davies does not shy away from topics which force a reader, especially a white and privileged reader (me, for example) to consider their place within the stories Davies tells. He causes you to question the part we all play and with the recent rise in hate crime, abuse and bigotry towards Asian communities in Western countries, The Fortunes is a pressing and important read.
The myriad of perspectives and voices in this book made for insightful but also uncomfortable reading. Uncomfortable in the best way. Davies does not shy away from topics which force a reader, especially a white and privileged reader (me, for example) to consider their place within the stories Davies tells. He causes you to question the part we all play and with the recent rise in hate crime, abuse and bigotry towards Asian communities in Western countries, The Fortunes is a pressing and important read.