What readers think of Daughters of Shandong, plus links to write your own review.

So, I recently finished reading the book "Daughter of Shandong" and wow, it really impressed me! The story follows the life of a young girl from Shandong, China, who struggles to find her identity and place in the world. The author's writing style makes it easy to relate to the main character's feelings. One thing I really liked about this book is how the author describes everyday life. She was able to create vivid descriptions of the culture, traditions, and challenges that the character faces. From the lessons she learns in school to her relationships with her family, everything felt very realistic.

The book also depicts the conflict between tradition and modernity, which made me think about how many people struggle with the same things around the world. The main character, with her courage to go against societal expectations, inspires us to not be afraid to pursue our dreams, despite the obstacles that come our way. There were also many emotional moments that moved me.

The relationship between the main character and her mother, as well as her struggle to get an education, were really touching. Overall, "Daughter of Shandong" is a very inspiring read and makes us appreciate each other's life journeys more. I recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about struggle, love, and finding yourself. You will definitely relate to the experiences of this girl from Shandong!

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J Chung

This historical fiction novel is a haunting story of the journey and sufferings of a mother and her three daughters from the gentry class in China, as they escape the communist who seize their property and force them to flee. The writing is very descriptive. The author describes the hatred the communist had toward the gentry and why. The author also gives a vivid description of the physical and emotional suffering endured by the mother and her three daughters as they were targeted by the communist.

While the description is intense, it is not gratuitous. I learned a great deal about the takeover of China by the communist after WWII, as the author did an excellent job in weaving the history of the time into the story. The “Focus on Sons” is a major theme of the book demonstrating how very ingrained it is in the Chinese culture. I found the historical part of the novel as interesting and engaging as the story line. The characters were very well drawn. The descriptions of the characters and their actions elicit emotions for the reader ranging from hatred to empathy and admiration.

The ending seemed hurried, as a lot was packed into the last few chapters. The different pace and tone may have been used purposely, by the author, to demonstrate a change in the life situation of the main characters. I found this to be a very thought-provoking novel and have recommended it as a selection for my book club.

Daughters of Shandong
By Eve J. Chung

A work of historical fiction inspired by Chung’s family who was displaced during the Communist Revolution in China. The Daughters of Shandong is told through the eyes of Hai, the eldest daughter of the Ang family. Hai along with her mother and sisters are turned out of their home in Zhucheng during the Revolution, enduring a long and difficult journey to reunite with their father and husband. This is about self-preservation, community, and achieving goals within a culture that devalues women. Through the experiences of Hai and her loved ones, we see the consequences of war, trauma, displacement, and gender-based discrimination while telling a story of survival and triumph.

I was fully invested in these memorable characters. With all the ups and downs this family and others endured, was difficult to fathom. It is an extraordinary debut; and I love when a new author can pull me in from the beginning, and when it happens, it’s like magic. Also, the cover of this book is so beautiful. I am so looking forward to what is next from this brilliant author.

Thank you to BookBrowse and the publisher for the book.

I have often wondered how it is that people know to leave. Where would a story teller be without a journey? Hai tells this story, with the help of her grandmother. A stranger's gift is part of a chain of cultural transmissions through the Chinese Civil war, the Cultural Revolution and the Chinese settlement of Taiwan. It is a terrible journey that the Women make.

You can hear the grandmother's voice from the turbulent past that saw the building of China and Taiwan. The linguistic eccentricities of present speech blossom like scattered blood and brains in the snow .

"Daughters of Shandong" by Eve J. Chung is an intense study of the Communists vs. Nationalists in China and how a family of no male heirs suffered through it all. The conflict does not come up much in American history books, so hearing about the cruelty exercised in the name of the country surprised me and reminded me of Taiwan's importance.

A family of all women, forced to answer for the patriarch's crimes, sets up a tragic journey, but the Ang women find glimmers of hope along a long, arduous path. They struggle for even the most basic of items and stay with a kind uncle who happens to have tuberculosis, made all the more traumatizing by the fact that the author based the story on her grandmother's life.

History buffs will not be surprised by the secrets and fear associated with the Communist Party, but the political conflict tears apart the family as people fight for essentials. The Communists show cruelty to the Nationalists and each other, reminding us why the generation before us feared that ideology so much.

It all adds to what has made historical fiction a top genre for many readers. American history books say so little about this struggle in China, and so many recent books are here to teach us. Unconditional respect for elders and the favoritism shown to boys remain important themes to most Asians in literature, and they exist in droves here.

Avid readers who gravitate towards Civil War/Slavery novels or those about Word War II/Holocaust books will recognize these characters who must survive with next to nothing to find a way to live. In a world where we think that our political affliction is worth dying for, we will understand the themes even as the number of Communist countries decreases exponentially.

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to the tumultuous backdrop of the Chinese Revolution in 1948. Through the lens of its richly-drawn fictional characters, the story offers a profound and eye-opening exploration of the immense upheaval and displacement experienced by countless Chinese people during this pivotal period.

As the country was gripped by the throes of revolutionary change, long-held traditions and the sheer unpredictability of fate combined to uproot entire communities, forcing them to embark on perilous journeys in pursuit of refuge in Taiwan. The narrative delves deep into this little-known chapter of post-WWII history, shedding vital light on the complex geopolitical dynamics that shaped the eventual establishment of the Republic of China on Taiwan, distinct from the mainland's communist regime.

For me, this book served as a revelatory education, filling crucial gaps left by traditional history lessons that have often overlooked the human stories and profound personal costs underlying such seismic political transformations. Chung's masterful storytelling not only enlightens, but also captivates, as the protagonist's struggles to preserve their traditions and achieve safety in the face of immense adversity are vividly brought to life.

Ultimately, Daughters of Shandong stands as an essential and highly recommended read for anyone seeking to gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of China's tumultuous modern history, particularly the experiences of women and girls navigating the rigid social mores of the time.

Although this beautiful novel,'Daughters of Shandong' by author Eve J. Chung, won't be published until May of 2024, I have to include it on the list of the best books I have read in 2023. This harrowing but incredibly moving story plays out against the backdrop of the Chinese Revolution in 1948. Political and cultural struggles were occurring between the supporters of Chiang Kai Shek and the Nationalist Party and Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party. Caught up in the turmoil and bloody unrest is the Ang family... wealthy landowners who live in the province of Shandong.

The narrator of this novel is 13-year-old Hai. She is delightful... loyal, intelligent and fiercely protective of her mother and sisters and she will endear herself to readers from the first page. Hai is the eldest daughter of the Ang family and the reader immediately becomes aware that female children are not valued in this society. In fact, the births of female children are considered bad luck and a burden on the family. In the Ang family, by the time Hai's mother gives birth to her third daughter, Hai's father does not even give her the dignity of a name. She is simply called 'Three'. Despite this treatment (or perhaps because of it), Hai, her mother and her sisters must develop a sense of self-determination, self-worth and resourcefulness to survive all they will have to endure once the Communists arrive in Shandong and they are driven from their home.

This novel was one which I could not stop thinking about. When I wasn't reading it, I couldn't wait to return to the story. There were some difficult scenes throughout the story but reading about Hai and their treacherous journey from Shandong to Taiwan was ultimately gratifying and I rooted for these women through every step of their journey. I cannot recommend this novel enough!!

This book is a work of fiction, but it's based on the real life of the author's grandmother. A mother and three daughters are left behind when the more powerful members of their Nationalist family flee to escape communists during the revolution. The story is told from the perspective of the oldest daughter, Li Hai, and the author does an astonishing job of capturing the thoughts of an adolescent girl dealing with both inconceivable trauma and everyday concerns. The author portrayed the relationship between Li Hai and her slightly younger sister with tenderness and frankness, showing both the squabbles and closeness of sisters. The book is a page-turner, with a gripping plot describing the mother and daughters' flight and their treatment as females. At the same time, the story provides much food for thought and offers inspiration for the struggle for gender equality. The book is well-written and not a word is wasted. One of the best books I've read this year.