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jillwoodfield's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loved stepping back into the world that Miranda Riwoe created. Her writing was so good and I was looking forward to picking it up again everytime I had to put it down. However I did want more from this novel when it came to the LGBTQ+ representation.
hazeyjane_2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kwameslusher's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
booksbecreads's review
3.0
3.5
Beautifully written but the story never really connected together. I listened to the audio book and loved the narrator.
Beautifully written but the story never really connected together. I listened to the audio book and loved the narrator.
jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review
4.0
This is a really strong character-driven narrative set in the gold rush period in North Queensland, and adds a richly developed perspective on a period in history typically dominated by a white male narrative.
Through alternating perspectives of two siblings (Chinese migrants seeking their fortunes on the gold field to return home and support their siblings), and a young white woman who works in the same town, the story explores friendship and connection and identity amidst this backdrop. What I think was most powerfully done was the way gender was explored in a literal sense - particularly in so far as it explores issues around representation of Chinese women within Australian history, and the damage caused by stereotypes and racism.
It did feel as though the plot (as blurbed) was very late in the piece, so the narrative was more character-driven than expected based on this - that said the way each of the three perspectives was so fully developed was a real highlight for my reading.
For more: https://youtu.be/xWuk799ptak
Many thanks to UQP for a review copy.
Through alternating perspectives of two siblings (Chinese migrants seeking their fortunes on the gold field to return home and support their siblings), and a young white woman who works in the same town, the story explores friendship and connection and identity amidst this backdrop. What I think was most powerfully done was the way gender was explored in a literal sense - particularly in so far as it explores issues around representation of Chinese women within Australian history, and the damage caused by stereotypes and racism.
It did feel as though the plot (as blurbed) was very late in the piece, so the narrative was more character-driven than expected based on this - that said the way each of the three perspectives was so fully developed was a real highlight for my reading.
For more: https://youtu.be/xWuk799ptak
Many thanks to UQP for a review copy.
novel_nomad's review
4.0
A captivating character driven narrative, following the experiences of a young woman and two Chinese siblings on the Australian northern gold fields (mid-1800s). I greatly appreciated the central focus on those who were outcast from the society and white history of the time, but their present still greatly effected the gold rush communities.
The relationship between Meriem and Ying was beautiful, as they forged a connection across cultural and language differences. This opening of themselves to another across the divide they are rewarded with a sense of hope and freedom. Whilst Ying’s brother, Lai Yue, desperately holds onto the expectations and conventions of his past - even in the form of the ghost of his once future bride Shan. The weight of expectations from afar and the hostility of the whites and Australian landscapes slowly rot his sanity and body.
I was utterly engrossed and could not wait to continue reading it.
The relationship between Meriem and Ying was beautiful, as they forged a connection across cultural and language differences. This opening of themselves to another across the divide they are rewarded with a sense of hope and freedom. Whilst Ying’s brother, Lai Yue, desperately holds onto the expectations and conventions of his past - even in the form of the ghost of his once future bride Shan. The weight of expectations from afar and the hostility of the whites and Australian landscapes slowly rot his sanity and body.
I was utterly engrossed and could not wait to continue reading it.
kimswhims's review
4.0
I've been waiting to read a book from this point of view since my 1977, school excursion to the Chinese Cemetery in country Victorian Beechworth, a fine historic gold-mining town. Gold rushes always attracted large numbers of people and especially many came from Guangdong (Canton province) in China. The cemetery in Beechworth was so large, it made me wonder what those peoples experiences were and where we might read about it.
Finally, here we have a story that centres on Chinese narrating their experiences during the Australian goldrush.
This story is centred in far north Queensland, however, gold was mined during the peak of the goldrush in many places in Australia. On my Aunties rural property in NSW there are scratching from that era and gold had been found in the creek during that period. So the story feels familiar no matter the location.
Mirandi Riwoe's writing is beautiful even while describing harsh experiences.
I loved this story and don't think I should give too much away, because it's better to read it off the page.
One I may come back to, it could make a terrific audiobook if well narrated.
I think I liked this one better than How Much of These Hills is Gold, another good story that depicts a story on Chinese Gold miners in California.
A book I may add to my collection later but for now this one needs to be returned to the library, and to all the people who have reserved it to read.
Finally, here we have a story that centres on Chinese narrating their experiences during the Australian goldrush.
This story is centred in far north Queensland, however, gold was mined during the peak of the goldrush in many places in Australia. On my Aunties rural property in NSW there are scratching from that era and gold had been found in the creek during that period. So the story feels familiar no matter the location.
Mirandi Riwoe's writing is beautiful even while describing harsh experiences.
I loved this story and don't think I should give too much away, because it's better to read it off the page.
One I may come back to, it could make a terrific audiobook if well narrated.
I think I liked this one better than How Much of These Hills is Gold, another good story that depicts a story on Chinese Gold miners in California.
A book I may add to my collection later but for now this one needs to be returned to the library, and to all the people who have reserved it to read.
shelleybaird's review
4.0
In this novel, Mirandi Riwoe has once again reminded me of why I love historical fiction - an opportunity to learn through story. This superbly crafted narrative gives a searing insight into the conditions and challenges of being an outsider, be it as an immigrant or social outcast, in a harsh colonial Australian gold rush town.
The central characters, brother and sister Lai Yue and Ying show an incredible devotion to each other and to returning home to China so they can find their younger siblings. As their journey splits in two, each becomes torn and at times tortured, by their individual secrets.
The prose in this novel carefully balances detailed description with deft and efficient prose. It was a joy to read, even though at times, the story was confronting. A gorgeous read that had me looking up all sorts of details in between chapters.
The central characters, brother and sister Lai Yue and Ying show an incredible devotion to each other and to returning home to China so they can find their younger siblings. As their journey splits in two, each becomes torn and at times tortured, by their individual secrets.
The prose in this novel carefully balances detailed description with deft and efficient prose. It was a joy to read, even though at times, the story was confronting. A gorgeous read that had me looking up all sorts of details in between chapters.
kaz14's review
4.0
Siblings Ying and Lai Yue to flee their home in China to seek their fortunes in the 1870s in gold rush Queensland. The narrative centres around Ying, Lai Yui, and Meriem, a “fallen woman” who works as a maid for Sophia, a local prostitute. The characters were well drawn, the setting beautifully described. The book captures the violence, racism and brutality of the Australian goldfields while still finding a tenderness in the friendships that develop between the main characters and others trying to make it, or at least survive on the goldfield. Having read 'How much of these hills are gold' for last years Booker Longlist I was struck, but not surprised, by the similarities in the narrative/plot lines. This novel was the deserving winner of the inaugural ARA Historical Novel Prize.
mysteriousbibliophile's review against another edition
dark
informative
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
1.0