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leahvanert's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
My brain kind of hurts after this one, but not in a bad way.
This novel spans 7 generations and centers around the theory of epigenetics (the study of inheriting trauma/memories/etc. through DNA). I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and Ford's writing style is truly mesmerizing.
The science of it all and keeping track of where we were and who we were with in the timeline was a little over my head. The idea is fascinating, but I couldn't follow it completely.
My brain kind of hurts after this one, but not in a bad way.
This novel spans 7 generations and centers around the theory of epigenetics (the study of inheriting trauma/memories/etc. through DNA). I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and Ford's writing style is truly mesmerizing.
The science of it all and keeping track of where we were and who we were with in the timeline was a little over my head. The idea is fascinating, but I couldn't follow it completely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: War
low_keybookish's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wowowow. I was so intrigued by this storyline that I started it when I got it in the mail!
Pub Date: 8/2/22
Do you believe trauma is inherited and intergenerational? Like THE BODY KEEPS SCORE, the premise of this book is that our bodies store experiences but perhaps across a longer time than we think (how our experiences can change our DNA, epigenetics). He also acknowledges Navajo and Indigenous practices that use this concept way before modern day medicine has looked into this idea. This story traces the generational line from the first Chinese woman in the U.S. (based on a real person, Afong Moy) to 6 generations later, with a focus on Dorothy in 2045. [Real-life Afong was used as an "exhibit" to show of exoticized Chinese culture and her bound feet.] I LOVE an intergenerational story, highlighting what are familial vs contextual characteristics.
CW a lot of violence against the characters, rape & sexual assault ; xenophobia, homophobia, racism, sexism. There's a whole theme of karma. What is passed down vs what is taken up in a new generation? What is motherhood when the odds are stacked against you?
The author starts out with "This book is for anyone with a complicated origin story. I feel you." I was instantly drawn in. While historical fiction, the author uses a lot of research on actual people and contexts, such as the plaque in 19th century San Francisco (chilling connections to our current pandemic) and nurses during WWII. Definitely recommend this mysterious read, where you're guessing until the end of how these characters come together and where healing begins.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Violence, and War
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