BookBrowse Reviews Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

BookBrowse:

A multigenerational saga about a Chinese family unsettled by war, and the rootless searching that often comes with a life defined by diaspora.

Our First Impressions reviewers loved Melissa Fu's debut novel Peach Blossom Spring, about a family fleeing the Second Sino-Japanese War and the immigrant experience in America. Out of 36 reviews received, 34 rated the book 4 or 5 stars, with an average rating of 4.7.

What it's about:

Against a backdrop of war, political upheaval and human displacement, readers are introduced to Meilin and her young son Renshu. The story begins in 1938 when the family is forced to flee their home in Hunan Province and begin a long and perilous journey that ultimately ends in Taiwan. Faced with the violence of war, extreme poverty, betrayal and a country in chaos, one marvels at the courage and resiliency of Meilin and the talent and dedication of Renshu (Janet OP). Peach Blossom Spring tells us the story of a mother's struggles, hardships, sacrifices and hopes for her only son as they run for their lives from Changsha to, eventually, Taiwan. It also tells the story of Dao Renshu's immigration from Taiwan to the United States, his complicated transformation from Dao Renshu to Henry Dao and the issues that challenge him. And it tells the story of his struggles to understand who he is just as his daughter Lily later struggles to understand who she is and who she wants to be (Paula K).

Readers appreciated Fu's insight into family dynamics and inter-generational trauma:

Fu not only looks at the historical events, she also examines the consequences and generational impact of the trauma associated with the war, aftermath and political fallout. Sensitive subject matter is carefully handled. The passion the author has for this story is evident in her research and attention to detail (Mitzi K). It reminded me a bit of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah in regard to the bonds of family and the choices you make and lengths you go to to keep them safe, along with questioning whether those choices turn out to be the right ones when you see the effects they have down the line (Gina V).

The novel covers elements of Chinese history that were unknown to many readers, and the author's particular view of that history was deemed enlightening:

All my life, I've only known mainland China as communist, but I never knew how that came about. Reading Peach Blossom Spring opened my eyes to the brutal history of China's war with Japan in 1938, the subsequent communist takeover, and the displacement of so many Chinese citizens to Taiwan and elsewhere (Diane S). This heartbreaking and inspirational novel enlightened me to a period of history I didn't know much about (Gina V). One understands in this novel that history is a very personal thing, that it evolves day by day, experience by experience, person by person. History is sights, sounds, food, and above all, stories. I know too little about the history of China, but reading Ms. Fu's novel inspires me to learn and understand more (Lynne L).

Overall, the reviewers thought Peach Blossom Spring an exceptional read and a great pick for book clubs:

I absolutely loved this book. Melissa Fu evoked a time and place I am wholly unfamiliar with by using language as delicate and precise as the artistry of the Chinese handscroll that figures so prominently in Meilin's story (Elizabeth VF). I thoroughly enjoyed reading Peach Blossom Spring and will recommend it to my many book-loving friends and members of my book club (Doris K). Characters were well-developed and realistic. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to book clubs (Sally H). This is a beautiful book, well worth reading. A great book for book clubs — lots of discussion material and lots of material for personal reflection (Marcia C).

This review was originally published in The BookBrowse Review in April 2022, and has been updated for the March 2023 edition. Click here to go to this issue.