Scan barcode
sdawginthebuilding's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
I appreciated the multigenerational approach that this book took, with each generation dealing with a unique set of problems. I think reading from the perspective of a family over a couple of decades and through different members of the lineage highlights how inter-generational trauma can be transmitted, especially for those in the diaspora.
Although parts one and two contained the darkest and most violent chapters of the book, there were also many instances of Meilin’s hopefulness and promises for the future. One of the most heartbreaking realizations for me as the book progressed was that the goals that Meilin had set or promises she made to Xiaowen and Renshu had to be sacrificed or negotiated in order for them to survive.
Lastly, although this is fiction, I think PBS provided some good insight to the migration trajectories of people in China during WW2 and the Civil War and also of Taiwanese people during the Cold War.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. For the most part, there weren’t many moments where the story was dragging or moved too slowly.
Lastly, although this is fiction, I think PBS provided some good insight to the migration trajectories of people in China during WW2 and the Civil War and also of Taiwanese people during the Cold War.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. For the most part, there weren’t many moments where the story was dragging or moved too slowly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Rape
Moderate: Violence and War
ittywitty's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Rape
maritay918's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Reading the history of China and Taiwan through the lens of a family was an incredible experience. The resilience of Meilin, of everyone was heart-wrenching and inspiring at the same time. I don’t know how they walked through all that devastation over and over and we’re still hopeful, still willing to live on.
The picture into post WW2 America as it relates to immigrants, especially Chinese immigrants was not surprising, just disappointing. While I hated who Henry/Renshu became, I understood it. I am so very glad she allowed for redemption there. And even for Lily. Loved seeing her growth.
Stupendous work Melissa Fu!
The picture into post WW2 America as it relates to immigrants, especially Chinese immigrants was not surprising, just disappointing. While I hated who Henry/Renshu became, I understood it. I am so very glad she allowed for redemption there. And even for Lily. Loved seeing her growth.
Stupendous work Melissa Fu!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicide
moon_peach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
The novel goes through 3 generations, each facing the difficulty of being Chinese.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and War
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book as a gift.
"Peach Blossom Spring" is a beautiful story that follows one Chinese family through decades. In 1938, Meilin and her four-year-old son believe that the future is bright, until the Japanese army start their invasion. Forced to flee their home, Meilin uses her charisma and wit to find refuge for her and her son. When Renshu is older, he has the opportunity to study in America, which is what he does under the name "Henry Dao". When he has a family of his own and a beautiful daughter named Lily, he refuses to talk about her heritage, and where he came from. Lily really struggles with not knowing anything about half of her.
This story was absolutely beautiful. Although the book spanned decades, it felt very well paced, and I was very satisfied with the story we did get from each of the characters.
I felt that one topic this book really explored well was the idea of identity. Henry saw his mother struggle, and he worked hard to create a better life for himself in America. He sacrificed being able to go back home so that he could continue to build his life in America. But Lily just saw her father keeping secrets and not sharing his heritage with her. She wanted to understand her family and to know where she came from, but those questions brought up difficult feelings for Henry. Henry was too close to the war to be able to comfortably talk about his Chinese self, while Lily was frustrated. It was devastating, heartbreaking, and critical to see three generations' reaction to their own story.
I really appreciated Lily's character because it pushed Henry to look back on his life and the sacrifices his own mother made for him. He is a good father, doing only what he believed is best for his only daughter, but she never allowed him to completely lose his past.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story about family and identity.
"Peach Blossom Spring" is a beautiful story that follows one Chinese family through decades. In 1938, Meilin and her four-year-old son believe that the future is bright, until the Japanese army start their invasion. Forced to flee their home, Meilin uses her charisma and wit to find refuge for her and her son. When Renshu is older, he has the opportunity to study in America, which is what he does under the name "Henry Dao". When he has a family of his own and a beautiful daughter named Lily, he refuses to talk about her heritage, and where he came from. Lily really struggles with not knowing anything about half of her.
This story was absolutely beautiful. Although the book spanned decades, it felt very well paced, and I was very satisfied with the story we did get from each of the characters.
I felt that one topic this book really explored well was the idea of identity. Henry saw his mother struggle, and he worked hard to create a better life for himself in America. He sacrificed being able to go back home so that he could continue to build his life in America. But Lily just saw her father keeping secrets and not sharing his heritage with her. She wanted to understand her family and to know where she came from, but those questions brought up difficult feelings for Henry. Henry was too close to the war to be able to comfortably talk about his Chinese self, while Lily was frustrated. It was devastating, heartbreaking, and critical to see three generations' reaction to their own story.
I really appreciated Lily's character because it pushed Henry to look back on his life and the sacrifices his own mother made for him. He is a good father, doing only what he believed is best for his only daughter, but she never allowed him to completely lose his past.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story about family and identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, and War
Moderate: Rape and Colonisation
sarah_speaks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Grief, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
kenharel's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and War
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
heytherekhalyla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, Violence, and War
kimveach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a terrific multi-generation historical fiction book. The history of the Chinese-Japanese War and the Civil War that followed it was new to me. And I think this might be the first book I've read with a setting in Taiwan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
darkhorse488's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism