This is a 4+ for me…an excellent and touching story that covers decades of turmoil in China from the late 1940s to the early 2000s. The years are descThis is a 4+ for me…an excellent and touching story that covers decades of turmoil in China from the late 1940s to the early 2000s. The years are described through the experiences, insights and recollections of two young friends who fall in love, lose each other and then rediscover each other along the way.
This book shared so much interesting political and cultural history about China through the lives of families caught up in and impacted by the turmoil and change. Families are torn apart, shifts in political allegiance cause strife and people lose almost everything because of the blind ambitions of their leaders.
Suchi and Haiwen are the two young friends who fall in love but are separated by politics and family duty. Both characters are very developed and touching. Suchi particularly grabbed my heart as she always tried to do the right things for others, always at the cost of her own dreams, ambitions and desires. There are so many supporting characters who grow and change along the way. The book is filled with hardship and sacrifice but the core message that family, however one defines that, is the most important thing of all prevails throughout.
The book is slow and methodical, moving between the present and the past over time. While it’s very touching, and some events are heartbreaking, it didn’t tear me apart. I shared the experiences and how the characters were impacted in a thoughtful way. There were segments that dragged a bit and overall the book is longer than it needs to be. The last chapter left me a bit disappointed with a sudden shift in timing and focus. I had hoped for different more complete closure.
Overall, a very informative and touching story with memorable characters who share a difficult and often tragic history. ...more
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