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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This work of historical fiction takes us to early 20th century China and the unique position of the women who worked in the silk factories in lieu of marriage, in order to help their families survive hard times.
Pei is but a child, about 9 years old, when her father, a struggling farmer, takes her to Auntie Yee’s house in the “large” village that has several silk factories. Unaware that this is more than just a visit, an adventure with her father, Pei goes with the kind Auntie Yee to “see the house” only to realize too late that her father has left her there. While she is heartbroken at first, she does eventually accept the kindness and friendship of other girls in the house and begins to learn the work of the silk factory. More importantly, she forms a close bond with the girls and women she comes to view as her new family.
I loved the unexpected strength and determination of these young women as they made their own way in a culture that restricted opportunities for women. The independence they gained, though initially forced on them, became their most prized attribute. They forged strong bonds and were successful in going against the male owners of the plant to demand better working conditions and shorter work hours.
The novel ends just as the Japanese invasion in 1938 ends their way of life, and Pei, along with a younger “sister” heads out for the next phase of their life’s journey.
This is one of Tsukiyama’s earlier works. It was interesting and engaging, and I’m glad I read it, but it isn’t up to the excellence so evident in her later novels.
Pei is but a child, about 9 years old, when her father, a struggling farmer, takes her to Auntie Yee’s house in the “large” village that has several silk factories. Unaware that this is more than just a visit, an adventure with her father, Pei goes with the kind Auntie Yee to “see the house” only to realize too late that her father has left her there. While she is heartbroken at first, she does eventually accept the kindness and friendship of other girls in the house and begins to learn the work of the silk factory. More importantly, she forms a close bond with the girls and women she comes to view as her new family.
I loved the unexpected strength and determination of these young women as they made their own way in a culture that restricted opportunities for women. The independence they gained, though initially forced on them, became their most prized attribute. They forged strong bonds and were successful in going against the male owners of the plant to demand better working conditions and shorter work hours.
The novel ends just as the Japanese invasion in 1938 ends their way of life, and Pei, along with a younger “sister” heads out for the next phase of their life’s journey.
This is one of Tsukiyama’s earlier works. It was interesting and engaging, and I’m glad I read it, but it isn’t up to the excellence so evident in her later novels.
littletaiko's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
4.0
moon_flower's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It is a moving story of the women who work in a silk factory in 1930's China. In a time and place where women's rights were virtually non-existent, these women were afforded a level of independence that surprised me. I think some of the success they achieved in this story came a little too easily, and they got far more emotional closure than I think any of those women could have dreamed of in real life. It made for a nice ending, but not a realistic one. But then what do I know? It's not as if it wasn't a tragic tale as it is. Maybe I was expecting something a little different. My fault, not the writers. All the same it was an enjoyable read and I'm definitely going to be looking up more books by this author.
katieik1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
justicepirate's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars
Gail Tsukiyama writes so beautifully and always makes me believe I am the character she is writing about.
In this book, Pei is growing up in a rural and poor area of China in the 1910s/20s. Her father works at the fish ponds and her mother has had several daughters, in which many have not survived past a certain point. Pei and her sister Li are the only ones who have survived. When her family becomes desperate for money, Pei is given to the silk factory in a nearby village. This silk factory is filled with other girls and women. The book focuses on the people that surround Pei's life and the life she lives herself. It was very good, but I wasn't as sucked into it as I would have liked to have been (like I was with The Samurai's Garden). I definitely still enjoyed it though! I will be reading the sequel to this soon.
Gail Tsukiyama writes so beautifully and always makes me believe I am the character she is writing about.
In this book, Pei is growing up in a rural and poor area of China in the 1910s/20s. Her father works at the fish ponds and her mother has had several daughters, in which many have not survived past a certain point. Pei and her sister Li are the only ones who have survived. When her family becomes desperate for money, Pei is given to the silk factory in a nearby village. This silk factory is filled with other girls and women. The book focuses on the people that surround Pei's life and the life she lives herself. It was very good, but I wasn't as sucked into it as I would have liked to have been (like I was with The Samurai's Garden). I definitely still enjoyed it though! I will be reading the sequel to this soon.
ladyamay's review against another edition
4.0
I found the retelling of women working in the silk factories of China somehow beautifully poetic. Even in their meagre and dire circumstances the woman found confidence, independence, and strength in the sisterhood of these women. The characters are intriguing and well developed. The setting is as much a charter itself; striking and bold at times and serene and comfortable at others. The hairdressing ceremony, the daily uniform of these women are described in such detail you can’t help but learn more about these women.
annecarts's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, although I must admit to being a bit of an addict of historical fiction from this part of the world.
A heart warming story of a sisterhood created amongst girls who have been sold by their families to work in a silk factory.
I felt engaged by the characters, especially Pei & her family and I was rooting for her from early on in the novel.
The only down point is the ending felt a bit like it was just there to set up the sequel. Saying that, I'll read the sequel though!
A heart warming story of a sisterhood created amongst girls who have been sold by their families to work in a silk factory.
I felt engaged by the characters, especially Pei & her family and I was rooting for her from early on in the novel.
The only down point is the ending felt a bit like it was just there to set up the sequel. Saying that, I'll read the sequel though!