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kidvendeta's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
gannent's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25
I really enjoyed this. It was long but it didn’t feel like a slog. There was a lot of period typical misogyny, but the main POV character was a woman as were many of the other main characters, and they felt really well-drawn and well-written. Very interesting place to stop in the historical narrative of modern China, and it makes the reader wonder what would happen to the family as the 20th century continued.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Suicide, Trafficking, Sexism, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Child death, and Sexual violence
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
rumaho76's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A family saga sent in China between the Boxer Revolt and the Japanese war, this novel focusses on one extended middle class family and their lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
mooncarrotpie's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
adeledsg's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
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? Yes
4.75
ceels's review
5.0
I read this while living in Beijing in 2001. It was one of the few books in English that I could get my hands on, and I was transported. I really felt like it added to my understanding of the place I was living in, and it certainly filled in a few gaps in my knowledge of history.
I tried reading it again later, when I was home, but found it hard to get into.
I tried reading it again later, when I was home, but found it hard to get into.
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