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teaandlibri's review against another edition
1.0
Dull. The book sounded incredibly promising. A look at the Chinese-American experience though four different stories. Three of which were based on real people. The book is divided into four segments, each focusing on the stories of Ah Ling (who came for the Gold Rush), Anna May Wong (the first Chinese film star in Hollywood), Vincent Chin (who would be killed by two disgruntled auto workers who mistook him for being Japanese) and John Ling Smith, a half Chinese man who looks at his heritage when he goes to China to adopt a child.
The book was a struggle. As other reviews say, the premise was quite promising and there is certainly heart at the look for these examinations of the lives of these individuals. Everything from feeling alienated to the outright racism to the struggles of trying to make it in what was sometimes a strange land/world where representation can be difficult (see Wong and Asians in general in Hollywood). But it is not just quite there.
The writing is exceptionally dull. Overall I thought the stories (especially the first one) were far too long as a whole and could have been cut down considerably. There was just impetus to keep going. The writing struck me as stodgy and plodding. The language itself isn't beautiful, but simply trudges along. I also just couldn't care for the most part about these individuals and depending on which story I was not feeling especially inclined to read what happened next.
Even with the story I was most familiar with (Vincent Chin) I just didn't think the author did it justice. Chin's tale is actually told through the eyes of a friend (that Chin is murdered is not a spoiler if you have heard of the incident) and it was disappointing that the author really didn't do his story justice. Obviously there was only so much the author could do since these were based on real people but I didn't like his approach of viewing this through the eyes of his friend, who struck me as entirely too self-pitying and not of interest.
I really wanted to like it especially since this was one of those books that seemed to be getting a lot of buzz (I initially found out about this from another author who I like). But in retrospect the book ultimately feels incredibly empty. Maybe others would like this book more but I wouldn't recommend it. Back to the library.
The book was a struggle. As other reviews say, the premise was quite promising and there is certainly heart at the look for these examinations of the lives of these individuals. Everything from feeling alienated to the outright racism to the struggles of trying to make it in what was sometimes a strange land/world where representation can be difficult (see Wong and Asians in general in Hollywood). But it is not just quite there.
The writing is exceptionally dull. Overall I thought the stories (especially the first one) were far too long as a whole and could have been cut down considerably. There was just impetus to keep going. The writing struck me as stodgy and plodding. The language itself isn't beautiful, but simply trudges along. I also just couldn't care for the most part about these individuals and depending on which story I was not feeling especially inclined to read what happened next.
Even with the story I was most familiar with (Vincent Chin) I just didn't think the author did it justice. Chin's tale is actually told through the eyes of a friend (that Chin is murdered is not a spoiler if you have heard of the incident) and it was disappointing that the author really didn't do his story justice. Obviously there was only so much the author could do since these were based on real people but I didn't like his approach of viewing this through the eyes of his friend, who struck me as entirely too self-pitying and not of interest.
I really wanted to like it especially since this was one of those books that seemed to be getting a lot of buzz (I initially found out about this from another author who I like). But in retrospect the book ultimately feels incredibly empty. Maybe others would like this book more but I wouldn't recommend it. Back to the library.
robynryle's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful series of connected stories about the Asian-American experience in the U.S.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
I've been in a bit of a slump lately when it comes to reading, and even more so when it comes to reviewing. At times like these, I need an author to surprise me, to show me something I haven't seen before. Something I can be excited about. A lifeline to pull me out of the reading doldrums.
Enter Peter Ho Davies' new novel, The Fortunes, stage right. Here's what's so cool about it: the book reads more like a set of interconnected novellas than a straightforward novel. There are four discrete storylines, told in separate sections one after another. It's mainly the themes that overlap—immigration, identity, belonging—while the characters and their situations are all very different. Taken together, like a collage, they tell what it has been like to be Chinese-American at various times in history.
My favorite part of the book was how powerfully Davies demonstrates the inherent conflict of being a part of two distinct cultures. His characters do not fit perfectly into either their Chinese or American worlds, seemingly no matter what they do. Thus each one has to define their own identity on their own terms, which was both interesting and gratifying to watch from my readerly perch. I also loved the historical aspect of the novel, as it made real to me some parts of history I was only vaguely aware of, like the construction of transcontinental railroads and the California gold rush.
Here's to authors doing new things and the blessed approach of sweater weather. I'm hopeful the combination of the two will be enough to bust me out of my recent slump.
With sincere regards to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale today, September 6!
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Enter Peter Ho Davies' new novel, The Fortunes, stage right. Here's what's so cool about it: the book reads more like a set of interconnected novellas than a straightforward novel. There are four discrete storylines, told in separate sections one after another. It's mainly the themes that overlap—immigration, identity, belonging—while the characters and their situations are all very different. Taken together, like a collage, they tell what it has been like to be Chinese-American at various times in history.
My favorite part of the book was how powerfully Davies demonstrates the inherent conflict of being a part of two distinct cultures. His characters do not fit perfectly into either their Chinese or American worlds, seemingly no matter what they do. Thus each one has to define their own identity on their own terms, which was both interesting and gratifying to watch from my readerly perch. I also loved the historical aspect of the novel, as it made real to me some parts of history I was only vaguely aware of, like the construction of transcontinental railroads and the California gold rush.
Here's to authors doing new things and the blessed approach of sweater weather. I'm hopeful the combination of the two will be enough to bust me out of my recent slump.
With sincere regards to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale today, September 6!
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
chaifanatic18's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lfar's review against another edition
4.0
“Gold” and “Pearl” were 5/5. “Silver” was the weakest in the collection
sarapocher98's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cecilelh's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
amslersf's review against another edition
4.0
In the Fortunes, four narratives, each of a different historical period, try to make sense of Chinese American experience. Not each one captivated me, but I needed the reminder of the Vincent Chin murder case in the 1980s that helped galvanize a pan Asian American identity and commitment to activism. I'm a sucker for the post modern moves in the final section. A good read!
lizzieh96's review against another edition
3.0
Only read the first novella, "Gold," but it was compelling. The relationships felt real and Ling was an wonderfully conflicted character to get the story through. Definitely interested to read the rest sometime!
smartcassart's review against another edition
5.0
My first completed read of 2021 - and what a great way to start the year!
The Fortunes is a collection of 4 stories spanning 150 years to recast "American history from a fresh, unfamiliar angle" by following the lives and destinies of four characters of Chinese descent, in other words, an American story I've been looking for a long time that really resonates with me. Even though the contributions and impacts of Chinese immigrants and the Asian diaspora in North America in general is integral to its history, it is indeed 'unfamiliar' for how under-explored and overlooked it is, so to find a book that not only sheds light on these major events but also through a very nuanced, sensitive lens achieved by representing four different characters from four different time periods, each with their unique purposes and motivations, was a joy. I like that the writer tackles the disparities within the Chinese community as they deal with the external racial pressures from the Whites (as if that isn't enough) - between Chinese men and women, between the Chinese immigrants and the other working-class immigrants who felt they were usurped by this new influx of 'cheap labor', and by the displaced Chinese community formed on the new land and their families back home. The diaspora experience is one that is innumerably complex and painful, and Peter Ho Davies exposes the everyday indignities of being any one of these characters as they struggle with their lives and inner turmoil. Davies is an intelligent and empathic writer, drawing upon real-life events and stories that hundreds of thousands of Chinese had had to face during the four characters' respective time periods to illuminate the issues, but keeping it focused by adapting them into personal, fictionalized narratives that lends each major character their own unique voice, proving through masterful language that we are indeed, even as we deal with the same BS - not all the f**king same. There is A HUGE DIFFERENCE between being a Han Chinese or an ethnic minority (for example, Tanka like Ling from the first story), or being Chinese-born or an America-born Chinese. The prejudices each face differ as a result, but the struggle against stigmatization is universal. Hopefully with more exposure to stories like these, the Chinese race as a whole will stop being so homogenous to people.
The Fortunes is a collection of 4 stories spanning 150 years to recast "American history from a fresh, unfamiliar angle" by following the lives and destinies of four characters of Chinese descent, in other words, an American story I've been looking for a long time that really resonates with me. Even though the contributions and impacts of Chinese immigrants and the Asian diaspora in North America in general is integral to its history, it is indeed 'unfamiliar' for how under-explored and overlooked it is, so to find a book that not only sheds light on these major events but also through a very nuanced, sensitive lens achieved by representing four different characters from four different time periods, each with their unique purposes and motivations, was a joy. I like that the writer tackles the disparities within the Chinese community as they deal with the external racial pressures from the Whites (as if that isn't enough) - between Chinese men and women, between the Chinese immigrants and the other working-class immigrants who felt they were usurped by this new influx of 'cheap labor', and by the displaced Chinese community formed on the new land and their families back home. The diaspora experience is one that is innumerably complex and painful, and Peter Ho Davies exposes the everyday indignities of being any one of these characters as they struggle with their lives and inner turmoil. Davies is an intelligent and empathic writer, drawing upon real-life events and stories that hundreds of thousands of Chinese had had to face during the four characters' respective time periods to illuminate the issues, but keeping it focused by adapting them into personal, fictionalized narratives that lends each major character their own unique voice, proving through masterful language that we are indeed, even as we deal with the same BS - not all the f**king same. There is A HUGE DIFFERENCE between being a Han Chinese or an ethnic minority (for example, Tanka like Ling from the first story), or being Chinese-born or an America-born Chinese. The prejudices each face differ as a result, but the struggle against stigmatization is universal. Hopefully with more exposure to stories like these, the Chinese race as a whole will stop being so homogenous to people.