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There are currently 36 member reviews
for Peach Blossom Spring
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Julie P. (Fort Myers, FL)
Peach Blossom Spring
"Chinese history is sad," the author's father would say, and this fictional version of his life bears testament to that statement. Melissa Fu was determined to flesh out what she knew of her father's early life and eventual immigration to America, and her debut novel accomplishes that. It's a sweeping story of a Chinese family who loses everything due to the advancing Japanese army in 1938, and describes their many harrowing journeys to safety, their struggles to find food and shelter, and ultimately the transition they each make as individuals whether living in America or China. The themes of this book? Love, loss, family, war, survival, with the latter half an examination of the difficulties of assimilating into a new culture while still belonging to the old. A gripping story, well written. For those, like me, who love reading about Asian culture and history. For Lisa See fans or those who enjoyed Qian Julie Wang's recent memoir, Beautiful Country.
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Rosanna H. (Tuckahoe, NY)
Compelling Family Saga
"Peach Blossom Spring" spans three countries and several generations of a Chinese family with verve and warmth. I found the characters believable and compelling. The book begins around the time of the Japanese invasion of China and deftly follows the travails of the Dao family through their travels and search for refuge.
Threaded through the tumultuous plot is the idea of the importance of family members sharing their stories. The Dao family rely on a beautiful illustrated scroll to aid their storytelling and help them remember who they are.
Peach Blossom Spring is the story of one family that illustrates the history of modern China. I found it both sweeping in scope and powerful in its storytelling.
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Patricia W. (Desoto, TX)
Peach Blossom Spring
Reading about other cultures and history deepens my understanding of the world. From Peach Blossom Spring, I learned about the culture and history, beginning in 1938, of China and later of Taiwan. The struggles and upheaval of the people created by war were heartbreaking. Along with the despair, shattered dreams, and loss, the story shows how people adapted to new living conditions, banded together with supportive nonfamily members to survive, and made sacrifices for their family. The significance of shared stories that bind people together and the importance of learning about one's heritage are explored. As I reflected on this story, I realized that some people are incredibly fortunate to have a remarkable family member. I wish that for everyone.
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Loren S. (Los Angeles, CA)
Peach Blossom Spring
Melissa Fu has wrangled an epic story of four generations of a family originally from China with a deft hand and a strong attention to detail and character development. We can't help but marvel at the courage and resilience of her main character, Meilin, whose husband disappears during the Japanese invasion of China. Separated from the rest of her family, she protects her son Renshu eventually finding her way to Taiwan by trading something precious for passage. Renshu is a serious scholar who ends up in the United States marrying an American girl, and leaving Meilin behind. Wracked with guilt, he is unable to bring her to New Mexico where Renshu now known as Henry Dao gets a job at the Los Alamos Laboratory. He is afraid that something in his past will threaten the security of his family, the one he has created and the mother he has left behind. We cheer all these characters on and breathe a sigh of relief when Henry finally comes to terms with his past, and basks in the glow of being a father to a whip-smart daughter who charts her own course in America. Well written and well researched.
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Randi H. (Bronx, NY)
sweeping epic
Peach Blossom Spring takes place over 70 years, following a family trying to survive during a time of great upheaval. The book confronts questions of identity and the social, historical, and cultural factors that shape a person's relationship with the world at large. I especially enjoyed learning more about Taiwanese history and its relationship to the Republic of China.
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Nancy L. (Staunton, VA)
A Journey Home
When Meilin and her three year old son, Renshu are forced to flee their home in Changsa, China before the advancement of the Japanese army in 1938, they have no idea their journey will take them across mountains, rivers, oceans, and even continents. Renshu eventually comes to the US, becomes Henry and he and his family struggle daily with identity. Are they Chinese, Taiwanese, American, or a combination? This is the story of a heroic journey to rediscover identity. While thoroughly enjoying the story, I also learned so much about the modern day history of China and Taiwan.
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Lil C. (Chestertown, NY)
Ancient scrolls hold lives together.
The weaving of the ancient scroll stories enhanced this otherwise plain novel. My bar is set very high for Chinese novels that attempt to explore China's intricate history. It took me too long to complete the book. Therefore, only an average read for me.
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