A review by thereadingraccoon
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Daughters of Shandong is a historical fiction novel about a woman and her children who face nearly insurmountable odds when China falls to communism.

Hai, her sisters (Di and Lan), and her mother (Chiang-Yue) have been living as second-class citizens in their home in the Shandong countryside. As landowners, they live in relative luxury, but without a male heir, her mother’s position in the household is low, and she’s often ridiculed and punished by her cruel mother-in-law. When they are warned that the Communist army is marching toward Shandong, it is decided that Chiang-Yue will stay behind with her daughters to defend their land and that the rest of the family will move to a safer location without the extra female mouths to feed. But immediately, the house is seized by the Communist army, and thirteen-year-old Hai is punished in place of her absent father, grandfather, and uncle. In fear for their lives, Chiang-Yue and her children will flee their province and become refugees with no money and protection while trying to reunite with the rest of their family in the middle of a civil war. Constantly on the move, they find unimaginable poverty and conditions along with small pockets of kindness and community.

Daughters of Shandong is a fascinating story of an era where women and girls are held in such little regard within their own family that it can cost them their lives. But Chiang-Yue’s difficult life under her mother-in-law and love for her daughters made her resourceful and strong even in the most dire circumstances. The reader can’t help but root for them to defy the odds and prosper despite their circumstances. The book is nicely paced with plenty of plot along with character and historical detail. I really enjoyed the author's note where she explained her inspiration and research. I look forward to reading more from Eve J. Chung in the future.