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A review by alisonburnis
Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.5
Daiyu, named for Lin Daiyu of a tragic story, is kidnapped from China after a series of events which leave her orphaned. She is sold to a brothel in Sam Francisco, and escapes, heading to Idaho disguised as a boy. Here, she will stay disguised and eke out a meagre existence - until she dares hope to change things, before returning to China.
This book is heartbreaking, bleak, and overwhelmingly sad, and yet despite its tragedy, there is hope. This is a beautifully written and complex debut, exploring the Chinese Exclusion Act in America, and the racial tensions of being Asian American - even when you didn’t want to be there in the first places. Daiyu is a challenging character but ultimately a wonderful narrator. This is a beautiful read, despite the tough subject matter.
This book is heartbreaking, bleak, and overwhelmingly sad, and yet despite its tragedy, there is hope. This is a beautifully written and complex debut, exploring the Chinese Exclusion Act in America, and the racial tensions of being Asian American - even when you didn’t want to be there in the first places. Daiyu is a challenging character but ultimately a wonderful narrator. This is a beautiful read, despite the tough subject matter.