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A review by davinareads
Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Some books leave you breathless. Others leave you broken. Homeseeking somehow manages to do both, and I mean that in the best way possible.
From the very first page—starting with the dedication and the author’s note—I had a feeling this book would be something special. And it delivered. This is a story of love, loss, sacrifice, and survival, spanning six decades of history and hardship. We follow Haiwen and Suchi, two young Chinese children who meet in 1938, become teenage lovers, and are separated by war for over 60 years. When fate reunites them in 2008, their shared past and unresolved feelings come flooding back in a way that’s both devastating and beautiful.
The depth of this book is astonishing. The characters—Haiwen, Suchi, and even the supporting cast—are so vividly written, their desires, flaws, and sacrifices make them heartbreakingly real. Watching their lives unfold, from moments of hope to the cruel unfairness of war, felt like experiencing their joys and sorrows alongside them. The way the story balances the historical detail with such raw human emotion is masterful.
I cried. I suffered. And then I cried some more. This is a book that doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings—it yanks them out entirely. Yet, for all its pain, there’s a strange sense of healing and hope by the end.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s richly detailed, achingly emotional, and beautifully written. If I could, I’d throw my entire bookshelf at it. Homeseeking isn’t just a great read—it’s an unforgettable experience.
From the very first page—starting with the dedication and the author’s note—I had a feeling this book would be something special. And it delivered. This is a story of love, loss, sacrifice, and survival, spanning six decades of history and hardship. We follow Haiwen and Suchi, two young Chinese children who meet in 1938, become teenage lovers, and are separated by war for over 60 years. When fate reunites them in 2008, their shared past and unresolved feelings come flooding back in a way that’s both devastating and beautiful.
The depth of this book is astonishing. The characters—Haiwen, Suchi, and even the supporting cast—are so vividly written, their desires, flaws, and sacrifices make them heartbreakingly real. Watching their lives unfold, from moments of hope to the cruel unfairness of war, felt like experiencing their joys and sorrows alongside them. The way the story balances the historical detail with such raw human emotion is masterful.
I cried. I suffered. And then I cried some more. This is a book that doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings—it yanks them out entirely. Yet, for all its pain, there’s a strange sense of healing and hope by the end.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s richly detailed, achingly emotional, and beautifully written. If I could, I’d throw my entire bookshelf at it. Homeseeking isn’t just a great read—it’s an unforgettable experience.