Scan barcode
scheu's review
5.0
China wins the 'Great War' and a young California girl is taken by force to China to work as a slave.
The basic premise of Hersey's novel sounds as though it comes from a more recent book, as the trend towards 'alternate history' has bloomed in the last decade. The book was written in 1965, however, when playing 'what if?' games was much less popular. I find it hard to classify this book as alternate history. The story is one of racial injustice and social change, turned on its head in a truly unique way. Hersey's background as the child of American missionaries in China - just like Pearl Buck, his contemporary - lend authenticity to his descriptions of pre-Revolution China. I have always found the story deeply moving. The book itself is out of print, but I grab every copy that I find used to give to friends and loved ones.
The basic premise of Hersey's novel sounds as though it comes from a more recent book, as the trend towards 'alternate history' has bloomed in the last decade. The book was written in 1965, however, when playing 'what if?' games was much less popular. I find it hard to classify this book as alternate history. The story is one of racial injustice and social change, turned on its head in a truly unique way. Hersey's background as the child of American missionaries in China - just like Pearl Buck, his contemporary - lend authenticity to his descriptions of pre-Revolution China. I have always found the story deeply moving. The book itself is out of print, but I grab every copy that I find used to give to friends and loved ones.
dlew's review
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I read this book for the first time in the 10th grade. It left a mark on me. It reminded me that any race at any time could be abused by another. We are all vulnerable. We are all human. This is the only book I have ever purposely re-read. 31 years later it still holds up.
More...