Scan barcode
efsimpkin's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a perfectly fine children’s book. I first read this probably 20 years ago and while I had remembered main themes like the auction and the factory, I had forgotten a lot of the rest. There’s a decent amount of messaging here about resilience and persevering and finding good people in bad places. It’s wonderfully short and a very quick read too. I can’t comment on whether or not it accurately represents 90s China or Chinese culture, as a disclaimer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Grief