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spiralnode 's review for:
Peach Blossom Spring
by Melissa Fu
hopeful
informative
sad
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:
Yes
'Peach Blossom Spring' is a heartfelt historical fiction novel, in the vibe of 'Pachinko' by Min Jin Lee or 'Wandering Souls' by Cécile Pin, this time set in China, Taiwan and the US, as we follow Meilin and Renshu in their journey towards freedom. It starts with the war with Japan, moves to the Republic of China vs. People's Republic of China and the development of Taiwan, while the US is navigating their diplomatic relationships in this ever-changing political landscape.
Reading about the streets of Taipei, with Meilin living in an area that is only about a 20min walk from me was charming and cosy, and reading about its transformation through the decades, particularly during its evolution as a tech power in semicircuits and hardware took me on a journey.
But one of the most important themes is identity. In moving between these countries, Renshu is forced to redefine who he is to keep himself and his mother safe. His trauma responses manifest when it comes to what language he speaks, who he associates with and separating Renshu and Henry. This same exploration happens also with his child, who believes she is missing an anchor because Henry refuses to expose her to his heritage, considering that it leads to too much hurt. 'Do you need to know where you're coming from in order to think about where you want to go?'
I really enjoyed this book and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Chinese history. My only disappointment and the reason why this isn't a full 5 stars is I would have liked even more emotion. It felt like all the elements were there and that the author just didn't take it far enough, almost as if afraid of what she might find if she looks beyond the layer that the characters choose to show to the world.
Reading about the streets of Taipei, with Meilin living in an area that is only about a 20min walk from me was charming and cosy, and reading about its transformation through the decades, particularly during its evolution as a tech power in semicircuits and hardware took me on a journey.
But one of the most important themes is identity. In moving between these countries, Renshu is forced to redefine who he is to keep himself and his mother safe. His trauma responses manifest when it comes to what language he speaks, who he associates with and separating Renshu and Henry. This same exploration happens also with his child, who believes she is missing an anchor because Henry refuses to expose her to his heritage, considering that it leads to too much hurt. 'Do you need to know where you're coming from in order to think about where you want to go?'
I really enjoyed this book and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Chinese history. My only disappointment and the reason why this isn't a full 5 stars is I would have liked even more emotion. It felt like all the elements were there and that the author just didn't take it far enough, almost as if afraid of what she might find if she looks beyond the layer that the characters choose to show to the world.