andshe_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This book is lovingly wrote from a daughters point of view about her mothers journey in life. This is something many families don't do anymore. This is a true story of Flora Li, A chinese woman's search for home from Asia to America, whilst looking after her children and bringing them up to the best of her ability.
Throughout the book I learned a lot about China stuff I would have probably never known but am now thankful to know. I struggled at first to get into the story and really listen to the storyteller but it soon came through and really grabbed my attention. The charcacters were so vivid, th scenes too.
Amazing read even for those that aren't that keen on memoirs!
Throughout the book I learned a lot about China stuff I would have probably never known but am now thankful to know. I struggled at first to get into the story and really listen to the storyteller but it soon came through and really grabbed my attention. The charcacters were so vivid, th scenes too.
Amazing read even for those that aren't that keen on memoirs!
pamelas's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty good memoir of China/Hong Kong through the mid-20th Century. The story is actually the author's mother, who recorded her stories on audiotape. I found I liked her a little less as she got older--she really becomes a Tiger Mother, though I can certainly understand why, given the extremely competitive nature of Hong Kong schools. Still, I found her a little less likeable when she lost some of her vulnerability. Also found myself wanting to shout at her at times: "Get out of Mainland China, NOW!"
jeanz's review against another edition
5.0
MY REVIEW
Veronica e-mailed me to request that I read and review this book, and I have to say a large Thankyou to Veronica because I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of her families life and how the history of China affected each of them. Flora had to undertake many arduous journeys to finally find a safe place to call home for herself and her family, she had to make some very difficult decisions.
I enjoyed reading the intricacies of how the Chinese family worked. The way Veronica's grandfather, Lo Bak, had married two sisters and at different times during the conflicts within China the two sisters and their families actually lived under the same roof! At certain times Veronica's mother even lived under the same roof too in the middle of all the inter family politics! Flora Li (Veronica's mother) had a hard life, her own mother was particularly hard on her and seemed to blame Flora Li for everything that went wrong in her own life. Flora did have help at certain times when she desperately needed it from her Brother Kin.
I loved reading of Flora Li's attempts to better herself with an education and that helped you understand why she was so determined that her children should all have an excellent education. Flora had to work extremely hard and endure many hardships to get her children into the "right" schools etc.
I also loved that her children had English and Chinese names. I enjoyed reading the meanings of the Chinese names. Flora's own full name was Li, Shing-Ying. Flora's father-in-law got the privilege of giving his Grandchildren their Chinese names, Flora gave them their English names. You will have to read the book for the meanings of the Chinese names, I do not want to give away such a lovely part of the book. I also love the Chines culture of looking after their elders/parents, it is a very respectful culture. The parts of the culture I didn't like was the way Flora had to accept her husbands drinking and paying to dance with girls at night clubs.
Flora's eldest daughter was named Agnes and her Chinese name, Man-Kuk. the Eldest son was Patrick, Kin-Yip. Second Son was Joseph or Tai-Loi. Flora's second daughter was called Veronica or Tai-Ying and she is the person that has put together this beautiful book. Finally Flora's third daughter was Christina or Kum-Lun.
So did I enjoy the book?Yes, I loved reading of Flora's ups and downs along with the ups and downs of china too and how they affected Flora and her life and family. So would I recommend the book? Yes I would, especially to those who love memoirs and those interested in China and it's history too.
Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £1.93 on kindle
Veronica e-mailed me to request that I read and review this book, and I have to say a large Thankyou to Veronica because I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of her families life and how the history of China affected each of them. Flora had to undertake many arduous journeys to finally find a safe place to call home for herself and her family, she had to make some very difficult decisions.
I enjoyed reading the intricacies of how the Chinese family worked. The way Veronica's grandfather, Lo Bak, had married two sisters and at different times during the conflicts within China the two sisters and their families actually lived under the same roof! At certain times Veronica's mother even lived under the same roof too in the middle of all the inter family politics! Flora Li (Veronica's mother) had a hard life, her own mother was particularly hard on her and seemed to blame Flora Li for everything that went wrong in her own life. Flora did have help at certain times when she desperately needed it from her Brother Kin.
I loved reading of Flora Li's attempts to better herself with an education and that helped you understand why she was so determined that her children should all have an excellent education. Flora had to work extremely hard and endure many hardships to get her children into the "right" schools etc.
I also loved that her children had English and Chinese names. I enjoyed reading the meanings of the Chinese names. Flora's own full name was Li, Shing-Ying. Flora's father-in-law got the privilege of giving his Grandchildren their Chinese names, Flora gave them their English names. You will have to read the book for the meanings of the Chinese names, I do not want to give away such a lovely part of the book. I also love the Chines culture of looking after their elders/parents, it is a very respectful culture. The parts of the culture I didn't like was the way Flora had to accept her husbands drinking and paying to dance with girls at night clubs.
Flora's eldest daughter was named Agnes and her Chinese name, Man-Kuk. the Eldest son was Patrick, Kin-Yip. Second Son was Joseph or Tai-Loi. Flora's second daughter was called Veronica or Tai-Ying and she is the person that has put together this beautiful book. Finally Flora's third daughter was Christina or Kum-Lun.
So did I enjoy the book?Yes, I loved reading of Flora's ups and downs along with the ups and downs of china too and how they affected Flora and her life and family. So would I recommend the book? Yes I would, especially to those who love memoirs and those interested in China and it's history too.
Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £1.93 on kindle
andshereads's review against another edition
5.0
This book is lovingly wrote from a daughters point of view about her mothers journey in life. This is something many families don't do anymore. This is a true story of Flora Li, A chinese woman's search for home from Asia to America, whilst looking after her children and bringing them up to the best of her ability.
Throughout the book I learned a lot about China stuff I would have probably never known but am now thankful to know. I struggled at first to get into the story and really listen to the storyteller but it soon came through and really grabbed my attention. The charcacters were so vivid, th scenes too.
Amazing read even for those that aren't that keen on memoirs!
Throughout the book I learned a lot about China stuff I would have probably never known but am now thankful to know. I struggled at first to get into the story and really listen to the storyteller but it soon came through and really grabbed my attention. The charcacters were so vivid, th scenes too.
Amazing read even for those that aren't that keen on memoirs!
abookishaffair's review
4.0
I. Loved. This. Book. This is the true story of Flora Li, the author's daughter. Flora is a really amazing person. She moved all over Asia before coming to the United States. All the while, she takes care of her family and makes sure that all of her children are able to meet their full potential. I definitely found myself rooting for Flora as she faces some of the hardships in her life. Veronica Li, Flora's daughter and the author of the book, had the amazing foresight to have her mother, a fabulous storyteller in her own right, make tapes to talk about her life. I know that after my grandma passed away, I really, really found myself wishing that I would have done something like taping my grandma's story. I still remember them, of course, but they'd be so much better if I could still hear my grandma tell them somehow.
Through Flora's narration, we get a great taste of what life was like in Asia during some of our world's greatest turning points. In a way, Flora seemed to come almost before her time. She's strong and realizes how important education is for herself and for her children. The book is incredibly engaging and I was definitely sad when it ended.
Bottom line: AHHH! You all just need to read this book!
Through Flora's narration, we get a great taste of what life was like in Asia during some of our world's greatest turning points. In a way, Flora seemed to come almost before her time. She's strong and realizes how important education is for herself and for her children. The book is incredibly engaging and I was definitely sad when it ended.
Bottom line: AHHH! You all just need to read this book!
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