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nessakchai's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
spatterson12's review
5.0
Peach Blossom Spring is generational story that spans 70 years and examines family dynamics, protection, survival, and identity. Meilin is a young widowed mother who is determined to save her son, Renshu, and provide him a better life as they escape multiple wars in China and fight to move to Taiwan.
I absolutely respected Meilin’s relentlessness. Her priority was Renshu and she did everything she could, sacrificing her own wants, so he could find safety and success. I would love if this was a 12-episode miniseries to showcase this time in history and the experiences of the people who stayed in Taiwan and those who moved to the U.S.
TW: PTSD, sexual assault
I absolutely respected Meilin’s relentlessness. Her priority was Renshu and she did everything she could, sacrificing her own wants, so he could find safety and success. I would love if this was a 12-episode miniseries to showcase this time in history and the experiences of the people who stayed in Taiwan and those who moved to the U.S.
TW: PTSD, sexual assault
kittic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
There is something infinitely appealing about family saga style historical novels. Peach Blossom Spring is no exception to that rule. The history of 20th century China is told through the eyes of three generations of the Dao family. There is heart and soul in this novel, intertwined with dark horror and magical folklore. A joy to read, the writing even at its darkest is beautiful.
shellkay's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ittywitty's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Sexual assault, War, Gaslighting, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Rape
mtzbookworm64's review
5.0
This book reminded me of Pachinko and The Good Earth. Tells the story of Dao Hongtse family tree from 1938-2000. Their beginnings in China, their escape to Taiwan & ending in America - love & hardship along the way.
melodys_library's review
3.0
A debut multigenerational novel is ambitious, but I had to give it a try. Though I’m glad I did, this one fell a bit short for me. There were some quick jumps in time - from one break in the page to the next, 6 years were skipped - and I’d think, “Wait, what?” The first half of the book (focus on Meilin) held my interest, but I wound up putting the book down a lot during the second half (focus on Henry). I did appreciate the recurring themes of home and belonging, and the window into interracial marriage and mixed race identity.
thepagelady's review
5.0
Peach Blossom Spring is a beautiful written novel that gives us a vivid & heartbreaking picture of loss, love, life & beauty. I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from the first page! All of the characters are wonderful but my favorite had to be Meilin. I couldn't help but admire her! This is one of those books that not only tells you a story but you also learn something & in the end this story & the characters will stay with you long after! Such a beautiful story! Emotional & heartbreaking at times but in the end beautiful!
Thank you Random Things Tours & Melissa Fu for sharing this wonderful book with me!
Thank you Random Things Tours & Melissa Fu for sharing this wonderful book with me!
katykelly's review
4.0
Multi-generational experience of 20th-century Chinese history and immigration.
It only took a little while to acclimatise to the style, the names and the setting of this on audiobook. One voice narrates over three generations, which I didn't even notice throughout, that both genders and their stories are read by a woman. The voice washed over me really, and the story actually worked better than I expected in the audio format.
Wild Swans was a true account of three generations, here we have a fictionalised account of 20th century Chinese history and cultural changes. First the generation born in China, who struggled and fought to survive the changes and the danger. Meilin is a mother searching for safety and security, for herself and her son, but adamant she will maintain her independence and not rely on others.
Renshu is the son betwixt and between. Born in China, who watches his mother struggle on his behalf, who is then offered the opportunity to escape and becomes our eyes on the immigrant experience, with his pull towards a new home but a tug backward from his roots.
And Lily is the first generation born in America, with a thirst to know of her roots, but no first-hand experience of them.
I enjoyed how the three interplayed, how the lives of each generation were affected by what politics has forced them to go through, and was continuing to enforce.
It felt possible to identify with each of them, though Renshu (later Henry) was the hardest, his inability to communicate or wish to share his experiences was less easy to understand.
It was sad at many points, with the loss of family connection running through as a thread. I was quite enchanted by the end, though I wanted a little more from China and Meilin who faded out of the story somewhat.
Bittersweet, moving and a revealing look at how different generations have experienced 20th-century China.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
It only took a little while to acclimatise to the style, the names and the setting of this on audiobook. One voice narrates over three generations, which I didn't even notice throughout, that both genders and their stories are read by a woman. The voice washed over me really, and the story actually worked better than I expected in the audio format.
Wild Swans was a true account of three generations, here we have a fictionalised account of 20th century Chinese history and cultural changes. First the generation born in China, who struggled and fought to survive the changes and the danger. Meilin is a mother searching for safety and security, for herself and her son, but adamant she will maintain her independence and not rely on others.
Renshu is the son betwixt and between. Born in China, who watches his mother struggle on his behalf, who is then offered the opportunity to escape and becomes our eyes on the immigrant experience, with his pull towards a new home but a tug backward from his roots.
And Lily is the first generation born in America, with a thirst to know of her roots, but no first-hand experience of them.
I enjoyed how the three interplayed, how the lives of each generation were affected by what politics has forced them to go through, and was continuing to enforce.
It felt possible to identify with each of them, though Renshu (later Henry) was the hardest, his inability to communicate or wish to share his experiences was less easy to understand.
It was sad at many points, with the loss of family connection running through as a thread. I was quite enchanted by the end, though I wanted a little more from China and Meilin who faded out of the story somewhat.
Bittersweet, moving and a revealing look at how different generations have experienced 20th-century China.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.