A review by akayeh
Peony by Pearl S. Buck

5.0

Amazing book! It's a simple story to follow, told in a soft, quiet way about a young Chinese girl who is a bondservant (slightly higher than slave) and grows up serving a Jewish family living in Old China. It follows both her and the young man of the family who is her age; at first she is to be only his playmate until she is old enough for simple tasks. They are raised as almost siblings, and she eventually helps set up his marriage and many other things to keep the house running. It also shows the interactions between the small community of Chinese Jews--whether among themselves or with their native Chinese neighbors. There is birth, death, love, anger, and a whole lot of drama! Oh, and one very interesting sword.... Don't miss Peony!