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Letters in the Jade Dragon Box
Truth. In mainland China from 1949 to 1976, truth is all but eradicated, suppressed and supplanted by the iron will of Mao Tse-tung. Millions of people suffer untold anguish as their history, their culture, and their lives are brought under communist rule. Many flee to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
As a child, Chen Wen-shan was taken from her family home in mainland China and sent to live with her great-uncle — a former general in the Nationalist Chinese army who had become one of the first converts to the LDS Church in Hong Kong. For ten years, Wen-shan has carried the sorrow of abandonment in her heart, with few memories of her life before. But at the death of Chairman Mao, fifteen-year-old Wen-shan receives a mysterious wooden box that holds a series of beautiful paintings and secret letters that reveal the fate of the family she has not heard from in more than a decade.
As Wen-shan and her great-uncle read the letters in the jade dragon box, they discover an unbreakable bond between each other, their family — both past and present — and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Letters in the Jade Dragon Box is a beautifully written LDS historical novel inspired by the real-life experiences of one man who was offered truth that would heal his heart, his spirit, and his family. His story helps shed light on a time and a place where, despite all odds, truth refused to be broken.
As a child, Chen Wen-shan was taken from her family home in mainland China and sent to live with her great-uncle — a former general in the Nationalist Chinese army who had become one of the first converts to the LDS Church in Hong Kong. For ten years, Wen-shan has carried the sorrow of abandonment in her heart, with few memories of her life before. But at the death of Chairman Mao, fifteen-year-old Wen-shan receives a mysterious wooden box that holds a series of beautiful paintings and secret letters that reveal the fate of the family she has not heard from in more than a decade.
As Wen-shan and her great-uncle read the letters in the jade dragon box, they discover an unbreakable bond between each other, their family — both past and present — and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Letters in the Jade Dragon Box is a beautifully written LDS historical novel inspired by the real-life experiences of one man who was offered truth that would heal his heart, his spirit, and his family. His story helps shed light on a time and a place where, despite all odds, truth refused to be broken.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews
August 13, 2012
As a fan of epic and YA fantasy I'm used to reading about "world altering" problems and catastrophes that affect entire civilizations. I read them because of the "wow" factor and because it's fun to visit unknown worlds, even if it's only within the pages of a book.
Then I stumble upon "Letters in the Jade Dragon Box," a historical novel focusing on the life of a young Chinese girl in Hong Kong. No epic battles. No sword wielding brutes. No massive scale conflicts threatening to "blow up the earth," "enslave all of humanity," or "rule the known universe." Instead, you read about a girl, her uncle, and a box full of letters and painting that belonged to the girl's mother and was smuggled out of communist China in the 1970's. That might sound disappointing after reading such "epic" (and I use the word sparingly) stories, but the truth is the simplicity of this story made it strike far deeper into my heart than any epic fantasy I've read to date.
There is beauty in simplicity. Take, for example, the laughter of a child, the morning dew on a flower, the moment of silent sharing as you sit hand-in-hand with the person you love. Receiving a letter from a person you deeply care about. This story was that for me. As I read, I felt what Wen-shan, the protagonist, felt. I cried with her, laughed with her, and journeyed with her as she discovered the treasures within the jade dragon box.
Wen-shan lives a fairly good life, but there is a gaping hole in her heart that has caused her great grief. As a little girl she was smuggled out of communist China, taken away from her mother and father, and now lives with her great uncle--a quiet, dignified yet stern man who has difficulty showing her his love. Then they receive an unexpected gift--a box full of letters from Wen-shan's mother and paintings from her grandfather, both of who she does not remember but wishes desperately to know. The rest of the book you follow Wen-shan and her uncle as they slowly read the letters and look at the paintings. As would be expected, the journey is difficult for Wen-shan. She learns things about her past, her family, and their struggles living under an oppressive dictator. You take every step with Wen-shan until the cathartic ending, which, following the style of the rest of the book, is beautiful in its simplicity.
I think the reason why I liked this story so much is that it is so human. We all have stories to tell, times in our lives when we've struggled, cried, felt deep fear and pain, happiness, joy, and triumph. Sometimes those moments are big. Most of the time they are small, yet no less meaningful. Gale Shears beautifully crafts a story focused on those types of moments in a girl's life. Her story was uplifting and . . . fulfilling.
Shears's writing follows the same theme of beautiful simplicity. For example, at one point Wen-shan struggled to remember the things she reads about in her mother's letters in order to find a connection with her past. I found the writing very poignant (page 226 of the novel):
"It was dark as Wen-shan walked home with only a thin silver crescent moon peeking now and again through the trees. She walked slowly, listening to the distant sound of traffic and the closer sound of a mother's voice calling children home to dinner. She looked down at her feet and tried to think of her baby feet kicking dust in the courtyard, of rice served by slender fingers, of mist and green bamboo, of padded jackets, and a thick braid of hair falling down her back. She tried to remember a world of floating mountains and silver rivers, a land where her feet walked but her memory could not penetrate."
Another thing I really liked were the paragraphs at the end of each chapter describing historical events, dates, words, you name it. I don't know if all historical fiction does that, but it was pretty cool to feel like I was actually learning something while reading. (I know, learn while reading--what a novel concept, huh?)
As I turned the last page of this book I had a similar feeling as when I'd finished "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns." I'm not saying they are the same content-wise, only that I felt the same when finishing. They are books about people, personal growth through pain, and triumph over even the darkest of adversity. They are books that change you. I love that.
"Letters in the Jade Dragon Box" may not be the type of book I usually read, but . . . perhaps it should be.
Then I stumble upon "Letters in the Jade Dragon Box," a historical novel focusing on the life of a young Chinese girl in Hong Kong. No epic battles. No sword wielding brutes. No massive scale conflicts threatening to "blow up the earth," "enslave all of humanity," or "rule the known universe." Instead, you read about a girl, her uncle, and a box full of letters and painting that belonged to the girl's mother and was smuggled out of communist China in the 1970's. That might sound disappointing after reading such "epic" (and I use the word sparingly) stories, but the truth is the simplicity of this story made it strike far deeper into my heart than any epic fantasy I've read to date.
There is beauty in simplicity. Take, for example, the laughter of a child, the morning dew on a flower, the moment of silent sharing as you sit hand-in-hand with the person you love. Receiving a letter from a person you deeply care about. This story was that for me. As I read, I felt what Wen-shan, the protagonist, felt. I cried with her, laughed with her, and journeyed with her as she discovered the treasures within the jade dragon box.
Wen-shan lives a fairly good life, but there is a gaping hole in her heart that has caused her great grief. As a little girl she was smuggled out of communist China, taken away from her mother and father, and now lives with her great uncle--a quiet, dignified yet stern man who has difficulty showing her his love. Then they receive an unexpected gift--a box full of letters from Wen-shan's mother and paintings from her grandfather, both of who she does not remember but wishes desperately to know. The rest of the book you follow Wen-shan and her uncle as they slowly read the letters and look at the paintings. As would be expected, the journey is difficult for Wen-shan. She learns things about her past, her family, and their struggles living under an oppressive dictator. You take every step with Wen-shan until the cathartic ending, which, following the style of the rest of the book, is beautiful in its simplicity.
I think the reason why I liked this story so much is that it is so human. We all have stories to tell, times in our lives when we've struggled, cried, felt deep fear and pain, happiness, joy, and triumph. Sometimes those moments are big. Most of the time they are small, yet no less meaningful. Gale Shears beautifully crafts a story focused on those types of moments in a girl's life. Her story was uplifting and . . . fulfilling.
Shears's writing follows the same theme of beautiful simplicity. For example, at one point Wen-shan struggled to remember the things she reads about in her mother's letters in order to find a connection with her past. I found the writing very poignant (page 226 of the novel):
"It was dark as Wen-shan walked home with only a thin silver crescent moon peeking now and again through the trees. She walked slowly, listening to the distant sound of traffic and the closer sound of a mother's voice calling children home to dinner. She looked down at her feet and tried to think of her baby feet kicking dust in the courtyard, of rice served by slender fingers, of mist and green bamboo, of padded jackets, and a thick braid of hair falling down her back. She tried to remember a world of floating mountains and silver rivers, a land where her feet walked but her memory could not penetrate."
Another thing I really liked were the paragraphs at the end of each chapter describing historical events, dates, words, you name it. I don't know if all historical fiction does that, but it was pretty cool to feel like I was actually learning something while reading. (I know, learn while reading--what a novel concept, huh?)
As I turned the last page of this book I had a similar feeling as when I'd finished "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns." I'm not saying they are the same content-wise, only that I felt the same when finishing. They are books about people, personal growth through pain, and triumph over even the darkest of adversity. They are books that change you. I love that.
"Letters in the Jade Dragon Box" may not be the type of book I usually read, but . . . perhaps it should be.
April 28, 2012
This is a historical fiction novel sold as an LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) story. However, while the religion does play a role in the novel in some key places it is not the central theme of the story. There is probably more information in the book about the teachings of Confucius than LDS theology. I actually liked that about it, because it is a book about Chinese people who live in China. That is an important piece of their ancestry and culture.
Mainly, this was a story about the everyday struggles that people faced during the reign of Mao Tse-tung and Communist mainland China. The characters are interesting, and I have always thought that the Chinese have such a rich and fascinating culture. It tells the story from the perspective of Wen-shan, who is a fictional teenage girl who was sent to Hong Kong as a 5 year old to escape the suffering of her village in China. The great uncle, who she was sent to live with, is based on a real man and his life story as one of the first LDS converts in China.
Mainly, this was a story about the everyday struggles that people faced during the reign of Mao Tse-tung and Communist mainland China. The characters are interesting, and I have always thought that the Chinese have such a rich and fascinating culture. It tells the story from the perspective of Wen-shan, who is a fictional teenage girl who was sent to Hong Kong as a 5 year old to escape the suffering of her village in China. The great uncle, who she was sent to live with, is based on a real man and his life story as one of the first LDS converts in China.
February 12, 2016
I read this a while back and remember it as an interesting and occasionally moving story about the life of a young girl who was sent away from her parents to a great uncle because of the ruthless actions of dictator Mao Tse-Tung. The story is based upon actual events, "real-life experiences of one man who was offered truth that would heal his heart, his spirit, and his family. His story helps shed light on a time and a place where, despite all odds, truth refused to be broken."
October 11, 2020
Wow! There were so many eye-opening things I learned through reading this historical fiction novel. I feel like we are not really taught much about Chinese history in our culture, so I was shocked to learn about these atrocities that have happened there--in the last 70 years! The story is told through a young teenage girl reading letters from her mother on mainland China, where she learns of the horrors of the communist leader, things she was never told (and she lived in Hong Kong). She learns about her mother and takes a journey with her Uncle in discovery and growth. Highly recommend.
February 18, 2016
Great book about the experiences of people living during the time of Mao Tse-tung's communist rule in China (1945-1976). I knew very little about the oppression that the Chinese people faced under his rule including public beatings and executions for such things as owning land, thinking differently than the leader, creating art, or loving your family more than Mao. This book was an eye-opener and really an unexpected gem.
This book is written by an LDS author and shelved as an LDS book. While it does mention LDS missionaries coming to Hong Kong and mentions such things as saying prayers, doing genealogy, and attending church, the LDS aspect is really not a major part of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction (although as I said religion really isn't a central theme). The great-uncle in the book, as well as some of the other characters, are actual people who existed in history which added to my enjoyment of the book.
**Completely clean book. My 13 year old picked it up and read it too and he liked it.
This book is written by an LDS author and shelved as an LDS book. While it does mention LDS missionaries coming to Hong Kong and mentions such things as saying prayers, doing genealogy, and attending church, the LDS aspect is really not a major part of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction (although as I said religion really isn't a central theme). The great-uncle in the book, as well as some of the other characters, are actual people who existed in history which added to my enjoyment of the book.
**Completely clean book. My 13 year old picked it up and read it too and he liked it.
October 27, 2011
You will cry. You will cry for China. You will cry for the people of China. You will cry for Chen Wen-Shan.
Chen Wan-Shan and her great-uncle are both haunted by past. She can't remember hers and he can't forget his. Healing comes as they read the letters, brought to them in the jade dragon box.
I love this beautifully written book. It is probably the best book I've read in a very long time. Important novels bring us information that we may not understand. That is what Uncle Tom's Cabin did. It brought the horrors of slavery into the hearts of the readers, which help fan the fires for freedom in the United States..
This is what 'Letters in the Jade Dragon Box' does, as we experience a small portion of the horrors inflicted on the Chinese people by an evil philosophy and an evil man. This is another book by Gale Sears the should be read by all, especially with today's political climate. ""Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana
Chen Wan-Shan and her great-uncle are both haunted by past. She can't remember hers and he can't forget his. Healing comes as they read the letters, brought to them in the jade dragon box.
I love this beautifully written book. It is probably the best book I've read in a very long time. Important novels bring us information that we may not understand. That is what Uncle Tom's Cabin did. It brought the horrors of slavery into the hearts of the readers, which help fan the fires for freedom in the United States..
This is what 'Letters in the Jade Dragon Box' does, as we experience a small portion of the horrors inflicted on the Chinese people by an evil philosophy and an evil man. This is another book by Gale Sears the should be read by all, especially with today's political climate. ""Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana
November 30, 2022
This is my favorite so far of Gale's historical novels. How the life of a teenage Chinese girl living in Hong Kong is affected by letters from her mother in mainland China is a touching story; the truth about what life was like under Mao Tse-tung is heart wrenching. I loved this story about faith, family, and the undying bonds of love!
February 2, 2018
This historical fiction of China under Mao Tse Tung brought me to weeping more than once. The main character is a young girl who was smuggled out of communist China as a 5 year old, and comes to know the struggle of her family whom she has not heard from for 10 years. Those of us in the free world truly have no idea what blessings of liberty and freedom we enjoy. I think I have an inkling... until I read a book like this!
This is an LDS writer, so it includes a bit of the history of the Mormon church in China, as well. There are notes at the end of every chapter explaining Chinese culture as well as pointing out which events are true stories. I loved that she included the dedicatory prayer of China by David O. Mckay in 1921 as an appendix. Truly a quick read, but an inspiring one!
This is an LDS writer, so it includes a bit of the history of the Mormon church in China, as well. There are notes at the end of every chapter explaining Chinese culture as well as pointing out which events are true stories. I loved that she included the dedicatory prayer of China by David O. Mckay in 1921 as an appendix. Truly a quick read, but an inspiring one!
February 7, 2025
Holy cow, this was terrible. The writing was so bad. The character development was nearly non existent and it was nothing but dialogue (and not even good dialogue at that). The LDS church references felt totally thrown in, but perhaps that’s because everything felt thrown in. And I’m so disappointed because it could have been so good! The idea behind the story is so lovely and I would have loved to have read this after about 15 re-writes. This was very elementary level writing. It also felt very stereotypical, which was a massive turn off. But, because the idea for the story was good, I persevered and ended up giving it 2 stars because I liked the potential. I just wish someone would else would have written it.
February 11, 2018
This was a historical fiction novel, with some of the LDS culture mentioned in parts. This was about a teenage girl who receives a jade dragon box full of letters from her mother, and paintings from her grandfather. Wen-Shan, the teenage girl, grew up with her grandfather’s brother in another country. Each night, they open and read a letter, or open a painting together.
The plot wasn’t quite enough to keep me engaged and super interested to finish this quickly. However, I enjoyed the ending.
The plot wasn’t quite enough to keep me engaged and super interested to finish this quickly. However, I enjoyed the ending.
April 29, 2024
It took a little to get into this book, but once I did, it was good. The best books make you think and want to learn more, and this book makes me want to learn more about China and Hong Kong under Mao’s rule.
February 19, 2024
Phenomenal historical fiction book about events many readers probably don't know much about. Friendship, family, searching for truth, changing of hearts; it's all here.
July 16, 2020
I highly recommend this read. It may be an eye-opening read for you. I listened to the audio book.
March 4, 2017
The Good:
I really did enjoy the bits about Mao and the history of China. I loved how the author added little footnotes at the end of the chapter to give more depth and background to the story. We actually had a pretty decent discussion at book group about it, the history, the people and politics that gave way to Mao and Communist China. The little bits about the history of the LDS church were also interesting.
The Bad:
Its still LDS fiction. It felt forced, lacked character development, and the escapism I crave in a good book. I felt like there were holes in the story, things that just didn't jive or make sense.
I really did enjoy the bits about Mao and the history of China. I loved how the author added little footnotes at the end of the chapter to give more depth and background to the story. We actually had a pretty decent discussion at book group about it, the history, the people and politics that gave way to Mao and Communist China. The little bits about the history of the LDS church were also interesting.
The Bad:
Its still LDS fiction. It felt forced, lacked character development, and the escapism I crave in a good book. I felt like there were holes in the story, things that just didn't jive or make sense.
June 18, 2015
A very interesting tale of a young Chinese teenager (15-16 yrs old) living in Hong Kong with her Great Uncle, who works for a British gentleman. She doesn't relate real well with her Uncle, even though she's been with him since around 5 yrs old, but something happens to bring them closer together for the first time in years. Her mother still lives in China, and Mao Tse Tung has just passed away at the beginning of the story. Her teacher and some others share their experiences on the Mainland under Chairman Mao's rule, and none of it is good.
Through the escape of her Uncle's old mentor from the Mainland to Hong Kong, they are given a jade Dragon Box with letters from Chen Wen-shan's mother that she wrote ever since she was a young woman (or girl). Wen-shan and her Uncle read the letters one at a time over a period of a few weeks, sometimes unrolling one of several scrolls that showed Wen-shan her Grandfather's skill as a Chinese Caligrapher and artist. All these have been hidden for years, since under Mao, anyone caught with these types of things would be denounced in their local "re-education" meetings, where people were denounced as "Capital Roaders", "Counter-Revolutionaries" or other derogatory terms, and sometimes sent away for further re-education.
This was a very educational book, because even though it it fiction, through the mother's letters, we find out what life under Mao Tse-Tung, and his utter brutality and disregard for human life, families, centuries of tradition, etc. Even though I have read or heard about much of this, the story brought it to life in a more fresh look. The story is fiction, but the character of the Uncle is based a real person, and his experiences.
see review for another similar book: "Life and Death in Shanghai", by Nien Chen.
Through the escape of her Uncle's old mentor from the Mainland to Hong Kong, they are given a jade Dragon Box with letters from Chen Wen-shan's mother that she wrote ever since she was a young woman (or girl). Wen-shan and her Uncle read the letters one at a time over a period of a few weeks, sometimes unrolling one of several scrolls that showed Wen-shan her Grandfather's skill as a Chinese Caligrapher and artist. All these have been hidden for years, since under Mao, anyone caught with these types of things would be denounced in their local "re-education" meetings, where people were denounced as "Capital Roaders", "Counter-Revolutionaries" or other derogatory terms, and sometimes sent away for further re-education.
This was a very educational book, because even though it it fiction, through the mother's letters, we find out what life under Mao Tse-Tung, and his utter brutality and disregard for human life, families, centuries of tradition, etc. Even though I have read or heard about much of this, the story brought it to life in a more fresh look. The story is fiction, but the character of the Uncle is based a real person, and his experiences.
see review for another similar book: "Life and Death in Shanghai", by Nien Chen.
February 8, 2017
This a delightful mystery set in the early years of the Qing Dynasty, or the early 18th century. The story feels authentic. As a China buff, I loved this book.
Li Du, a librarian who was banished from Beijing because he dissented from the emperor's decision to execute a scholar, is a perfect detective. He has a critical mind and an independent soul.
The setting is in Yunnan, in southwest China, not far from mountains bordering Tibet. The characters include Han Chinese and oppressed minorities. Westerners include a Jesuit astronomer (Jesuit astronomers served in the imperial court) and a representative of the British East India Company, a ruthless company that is trying to trade with China because it wants tea. (In the next century, the company waged a war to force China to accept opium in exchange for tea.)
The mystery is traditional, with clues and several suspects. But the setting is delightful.
If you have any interest in China, you should like this book.
Li Du, a librarian who was banished from Beijing because he dissented from the emperor's decision to execute a scholar, is a perfect detective. He has a critical mind and an independent soul.
The setting is in Yunnan, in southwest China, not far from mountains bordering Tibet. The characters include Han Chinese and oppressed minorities. Westerners include a Jesuit astronomer (Jesuit astronomers served in the imperial court) and a representative of the British East India Company, a ruthless company that is trying to trade with China because it wants tea. (In the next century, the company waged a war to force China to accept opium in exchange for tea.)
The mystery is traditional, with clues and several suspects. But the setting is delightful.
If you have any interest in China, you should like this book.
February 28, 2021
My rating 4.0
From the bestselling author of The Silence of God comes a new LDS historical novel that reveals the harrowing true story of a former general in the Chinese army who became one of the first converts to the Church in Hong Kong. This compelling drama unfolds through the eyes of a teenage girl, Wen-shan, who was taken from her family home in mainland China during the Cultural Revolution to live with her great-uncle the former general. For ten years, Wen-shan has carried the sorrow of abandonment in her heart, with few memories of her life before. But at the death of Chairman Mao, Wen-shan receives a mysterious wooden box that reveals the fate of the family she has not heard from in more than a decade. Through the letters in the jade dragon box, Wen-shan and her great-uncle discover a bond between each other, their family, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The characters in this book were very likable and showed development during the story. Wen-shan has been raised by a great uncle who is been cold and withdrawn. During the story they not only find out what happened to their family in mainland China during the Cultural Revolution but break down the barriers between them. I seldom read LDS literature, but did enjoy the recommended book from a friend.
From the bestselling author of The Silence of God comes a new LDS historical novel that reveals the harrowing true story of a former general in the Chinese army who became one of the first converts to the Church in Hong Kong. This compelling drama unfolds through the eyes of a teenage girl, Wen-shan, who was taken from her family home in mainland China during the Cultural Revolution to live with her great-uncle the former general. For ten years, Wen-shan has carried the sorrow of abandonment in her heart, with few memories of her life before. But at the death of Chairman Mao, Wen-shan receives a mysterious wooden box that reveals the fate of the family she has not heard from in more than a decade. Through the letters in the jade dragon box, Wen-shan and her great-uncle discover a bond between each other, their family, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The characters in this book were very likable and showed development during the story. Wen-shan has been raised by a great uncle who is been cold and withdrawn. During the story they not only find out what happened to their family in mainland China during the Cultural Revolution but break down the barriers between them. I seldom read LDS literature, but did enjoy the recommended book from a friend.
November 15, 2011
What an amazing book written about China!! Inspired by the real-life experiences of one of the first converts of the Church. Names have been changed to fit the needs of the story and to protect his annoymity.
Chen Wen-Shan was taken from her family home in mainland China to live with her great Uncle Zhao Tai-lu. Wen-Shan can't remember anything about living in mainland China and her Uncle Tai-lu wishes he could forget. Wen-Shan's uncle doesn't share very much of his past; until they are given the jade dragon box which is filled with letters written by Wen-Shan's mother and paintings that were painted by her Grandfather who is also Tai-lu's brother. Very beautifully written.
I had no idea that the people of China suffered such harsh treatment from a man just as wicked as Hitler.
Chen Wen-Shan was taken from her family home in mainland China to live with her great Uncle Zhao Tai-lu. Wen-Shan can't remember anything about living in mainland China and her Uncle Tai-lu wishes he could forget. Wen-Shan's uncle doesn't share very much of his past; until they are given the jade dragon box which is filled with letters written by Wen-Shan's mother and paintings that were painted by her Grandfather who is also Tai-lu's brother. Very beautifully written.
I had no idea that the people of China suffered such harsh treatment from a man just as wicked as Hitler.
January 5, 2012
This book is a very fascinating look into mainland China during the reign of Mao Tse-tung (1970s). It also shows the interesting position the city of Hong Kong was in, considering it was still under British rule until 1997. While Hong Kong was becoming more westernized, Mao was sinking his claws into the Chinese people. This is shown in this book through a girl whose family is torn between the two worlds, she on one side, they on the other. She receives their letters in a jade dragon box (hence the title). This book also touches on the early beginnings of the LDS church in Hong Kong. If you have any interest in China, I highly recommend this book. It's a very enjoyable, educational read.
March 25, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. While not my favorite I found it very interesting. The first ten to twenty pages were hard for me to jump into because it drops you right in the death of Chairman Mao that I had to google because I don't really know about that time in China! The footnotes were helpful in this regard. Once the letters arrived it picked up for me! I liked having a background on the little girls mother. This was well researched and I learned a lot about the Chinese history. It was a very touching. If you have an interest in learning more about Chinese history or you like historical fiction I would say this is the book for you!
March 21, 2012
I loved this book! The first ten to twenty pages were hard for me to jump into because it drops you right in the middle of a huge historical event that I didn't know a whole lot about. Once I started reading the footnotes about the Chinese words and the historical events I wasn't familiar with though, it fascinated me. Once the letters arrived I was hooked and couldn't put it down! This is an amazing story, and I learned SO much about the Chinese history. It was a very touching and very powerful novel. I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, or wants to learn more about the history of China.
May 18, 2012
I enjoyed the book and the story was interesting, especially since it is set in Hong Kong just after the death of Mao Tse-Tung. Having just finished Wild Swans (a history/memoir about the time before and during the Communist takeover of China), it felt very familiar. But I have a little bit of a struggle with the way Sears uses conversation between her characters to provide historical background; it often comes out sounding unnatural. I would rather she provide a couple of "Author's Note" pages at the beginning to give a historical summary so the flow of the book could feel more realistic.
March 8, 2012
This book was an emotional ride for me. Perhaps it is because of my own Chinese ancestry. For whatever reason, I really loved this book. It was a work of fiction based on fact and while it was an LDS novel, the religion was not the central focus but just one element of the story. I cried for the hardships endured and the hope that rose up in spite of adversity. Definitely a book that makes me grateful for the decisions made by my predecessors that made it possible for me to be where I am now.
June 4, 2012
This was a powerful story of some of the worst times in Chinese history. Although the writing was kind of average, the glimpse into Chinese history and culture was fascinating. The characters were portrayed very empathically and I could not wait to find our how it all ended. Again, I reflectied on the blessings we have in the United States to have never been under Communist rule, the importance of good government, and the freedoms we enjoy but often take for granted.
January 28, 2013
I really enjoy reading about world history. This book is historical fiction but the true experiences were noted at the end of each chapter. There were a lot of great quotes from philosophers. One I really liked was from Mahatma Gandi which states, "...in the end tyrants will fall."
There were actual true events of the history of the church as well, as it was introduced into Hong Kong. Many brave and heroic people working in many ways to establish truth.
There were actual true events of the history of the church as well, as it was introduced into Hong Kong. Many brave and heroic people working in many ways to establish truth.
January 12, 2012
I think the letters alone are amazingly written. It is a fictionalized account of some of the first members of the LDS church in Hong Kong, only fictionalized to protect them and their families living in China. I have used the author's list of reference books at the end as my current reading list.
November 6, 2014
This is a really great book! It's not nonfiction, but very close to it. It is very well-written, and explains what happened in China during the Tang dynasty. The story is told in a very unique way, and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a book.
February 6, 2015
This was such a great book! I don't often give much credit to LDS authors sadly but this historical fiction was so interesting and captivating. I really enjoyed it and loved learning about a part of history I have not heard much about.
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November 1, 2011A beautiful, powerful, touching, amazing book!
April 20, 2012
Review coming tomorrow! Can't wait!
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