A review by savannahisarose
In a Shantung Garden by Louise Jordan Miln

5.0

This book was an odyssey in itself to read, taking almost 6 years to finish. I first opened it at 14 on Cumberland Island in the library of a Carnegie mansion turned inn. My family was waiting, luggage packed and bored (but content), for the ferry to take us home. I read about 30 pages, but was hooked by the journey ‘East’ by a wealthy American businessman who was clearly in for an awakening of sorts. When I returned home I couldn’t find the book anywhere. I had time to read over half on a second trip five years later, and finally found a copy online two years after that. Having now finished In a Shantung Garden, I have complex feelings. I’m a historian now, almost done with my MA, and the Orientalism in this book is hella prevalent. The author and characters clearly loves the Far East, but in 1924 this meant a different level and type of respect than we’d hope to see now. Also, after 7 years, I hoped for a happy ending — this was bittersweet at best. All that aside, I found it interesting to see a past mindset through an old novel. What better way to understand a perspective than through writing and art? Objectively speaking, worth a read if you happen across a copy.