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There are currently 36 member reviews
for Daughters of Shandong
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Patricia G. (Washington, DC)
A gripping novel of mid-twentieth century China
Daughters of Shandong is a gripping, and at times heartbreaking debut novel, based on the true story of author Eve Chung's grandmother during the years of the Chinese civil war. While readers may be aware of Chinese culture's historical misogyny, Chung brings to life the daily horrors of being a girl—"just another mouth to feed'—in a society that overwhelming favored male children. The book begins in 1948, just after the end of World War Two, as the Communist Revolution sweeps through the country.
Hai is the eldest child of the eldest male son in a prosperous family, and unfortunately, she is a girl. She lives with her parents and three younger sisters in her paternal grandparent's home, ruled with emotional cruelty by her vicious grandmother, who blames Hai's mother for failing to produce a male heir. The Angs have been landowners for several generations, and as the Communists move in, the family flees, leaving behind Hai's mother and the four girls. As the only representative of the Ang family they can find, the Communists publicly beat the eleven-year-old Hai to within an inch of her life. As soon as they are able, Hai's mother takes the girls, and everything they can carry, to try to reunite with the rest of the family. The bulk of the novel describes in crushing detail the two years they spent crossing the country, impoverished and starving, along with hundreds of thousands of refugees like themselves.
What shines through in this book is the resilience of Hai, her mother, and her sisters. No spoilers here, but there is a happier ending in store for the women of this family. I highly recommend Daughters of Shandong to all readers, not just those who love historical fiction.
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Betty T. (Warner Robins, GA)
Beautiful story of women coping
Eve J. Chung's debut novel, Daughters of Shandong, offers a poignant and compelling narrative of a mother and her daughters' courageous escape to Taiwan during the turbulent times of the Communist revolution in China. Set against the backdrop of civil war and political upheavals in 1948, the Ang family, particularly the four daughters, becomes the focal point of the story.
The novel delves into the lives of the Ang family, focusing on Hai, the eldest daughter, and her three sisters. In a society where sons are highly valued, the lack of a male heir becomes a cause of concern for the wealthy Angs. The Communist army's advance forces the prosperous household to flee, leaving the daughters and their abused mother behind as they are deemed burdensome.
Chung weaves a gripping tale as Hai, selected for trial due to her position as the eldest, faces the brutality of the land-seizing cadres. The narrative unfolds as the women, driven by resilience and resourcefulness, embark on a harrowing journey from the countryside to the bustling city of Qingdao, British Hong Kong, and eventually Taiwan. Their odyssey is marked by the changing tide of a nation and the challenges faced by those caught in the wake of revolution.
The author's prose is assured and evocative, bringing to life impeccably drawn characters. The Ang daughters emerge as unforgettable and complex figures, each with a unique story to tell. The novel captures the enduring love between mothers, daughters, and sisters, portraying the sacrifices made to secure a better future for generations to come.
Chung's skillful storytelling navigates through the political upheavals of mid-century China, providing readers with a spellbinding and transportive experience. The Ang daughters' will to survive resonates on every page, offering a glimpse into a world of despair and hope. The novel not only entertains but also educates and inspires, making it a rare work of fiction that lingers in the minds of readers long after the last page.
Daughters of Shandong stands out as a powerful exploration of the resilience of women in times of war, offering a hopeful narrative that emphasizes the strength found in the bonds of family. Eve J. Chung's debut is a noteworthy addition to historical fiction, promising to illuminate various facets of humanity through its compelling storytelling.
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Becky H. (Manassas, VA)
"Worthless" girls are powerful
"Girls are nothing more than wives for other people's sons." And so begins the story of Hai, her mother and her sisters. When the communist revolution comes to their area, the girls and their mom are left behind by their wealthy landowning family with only a vague promise to return for them.
Enemies of the communists because of the family's wealth and importance, the girls and their mother are evicted with no money or food as enemies of the people. Hai, the eldest daughter not yet a teen, narrates this compelling, barely fictionalized account of the journey by foot through China toward Taiwan. The girls come alive on the pages as their harrowing tale is told.
Chung relates the story of her grandmother with deftness and empathy. Although filled with danger, poverty, and continuing disasters, the story offers hope, resilience, love and the power of faith and kindness. Readers will learn much about the Communist takeover of China and the ravages war brings to a peasant population. Book groups will have many topics for discussion from foot binding to the importance of education. I highly recommend this book.
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Cindy B. (Waukee, IA)
Daughters of Shandong
A fast paced historical fiction novel that keeps the reader turning pages until the end. The reader follows the Ang women as they flee from their home in Shandong, China to Taiwan during the Chinese Communist Party's overthrow of the Nationalist Party. A story of the power of resourcefulness, resilience, and love prevailing over cultural beliefs, poverty and cruelty. The best historical fiction I've read this year.
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Patricia W. (Desoto, TX)
Daughters of Shandong
I loved this story set during the Communist takeover of China. I learned about the history and culture of China which highlighted the destruction of the people and their way of life during this time, the brutality of war, and gender inequality. From the story's emphasis on gender inequality, I learned about the damage that it has on individuals and its harsh effects on society. I was moved by the relationships and the portrayal of the mother and her daughters in their relentless struggle to survive as their lives were continually torn apart. I was uplifted to read about the kindness that some people displayed helping others in similar situations while enduring unspeakable hardship. I have added this book to my list for our book club and look forward to a meaningful discussion.
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Nick S. (Plymouth, MA)
Heart Wrenching, Great Read
Daughters of Shandong was both very sad and very uplifting - it allowed me to better understand how wars / revolutions impact refugees, as well as the indestructability of the human spirit working against the tide of bureaucracy, war, politics, and tradition.
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Elise Borovicka
Page Turning Historical Fiction
I have read other books about the Chinese Revolution, so I was not surprised by the brutality of the treatment that many of the Chinese landowners faced. The Ang family are wealthy landowners. They are warned that the Nationalists are losing the war and they should escape to avoid the wrath of the Communist party. Hai, her sisters and mother are chosen to guard the family home, so the rest of the family can escape to safety. The women are soon forced to leave the home and are faced with huge obstacles as refugees. Many of the friends that they make as refugees are far more generous and caring than the Ang family that they lived with. The mother and her daughters’ treatment in their family home was infuriating. Girls were disposable, and if you didn’t give birth to a boy – you were worthless. This book is a fictionalized account of Eve Chung’s grandparents and is definitely a page turner.
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