Reviews

Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

melodys_library's review against another edition

4.0

A history of anti-Chinese violence and sentiments exists in the United States. This fictionalized account reminds us what this country was and is still capable of.

katieurban's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved reading this book. This is why I love reading incredible historical fiction. I quite literally COULD NOT put this book down, and read it in almost one day. Quite possibly my favorite book of 2022. Bravo to the author for this debut novel. It was stunning. I can't stop thinking about the story and these characters.

yara_adorablebooks's review against another edition

5.0

Zo'n bijzonder verhaal, emotioneel en soms wat controversieel. Maar zo mooi, poetisch geschreven. Aanrader!! Lees mijn recensie hier: https://adorablebooks.nl/vijf-levens-jenny-tinghui-zhang/

honeypunk's review against another edition

reflective sad tense 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? No

4.0

kachenbooklover's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

readingfourme's review against another edition

Just really want to read stories from people of color not steeped in trauma. We’re allowed to be happy. Got through 18 percent, beautiful writing, but trauma upon trauma with no joy to break it up. Not sure where it was headed. 

alyssa_max's review against another edition

5.0

Started the year off with this beautiful, gripping, heartbreaking novel. This is an incredible work of historical fiction set during the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act in the United States. While an extremely heavy read, I found this book to be beautifully written, and enjoyed the compelling characters, elements of Chinese mythology and magical realism, and incorporation of Chinese calligraphy.

TW (no spoilers): readers looking to avoid graphic descriptions of physical violence, sexual violence, and torture/death should not read this book.

cat_book_lady's review against another edition

3.0

Definitely a very promising new writer!!! I love how Zhang creates a Chinese female character that has to reinvent herself in all different aspects of life - a calligrapher, working in a brothel, then working in Idaho in a Chinese market amidst rampant, violent anti-Chinese sentiment in the early 1920s. Based on a true story, I was absolutely horrified at how America has treated its immigrants, but this story is so unique because Zhang strings together bits and pieces of research to imagine what led to the ending. Zhang, too, brings everything so beautifully at the finish that I reveled in the full circle that brings her back to the lessons she learned in China as a young girl.

I will admit that the second half dragged a bit, and the "reveal" dragged out for a bit too long and seemed also a bit too unbelievable. But, Zhang kept me engaged and certainly rewards her readers at the end! I will definitely be reading another of her novels in the future.

staceyjunemsw's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad tense fast-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

5.0

This is such a sad book - beautifully written but a tragic truth to be acknowledged.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia

avidreadr's review against another edition

5.0

For being a debut, 5 stars!!!! I’d say personally more 4/4.5 after an ambiguous ending though. This story had many unique aspects, including a linguistic element as well as a slightly surreal element. The MC was well drawn with a strong voice. I would definitely read more from this author and was really moved by many passages.