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Daughter of the Bamboo Forest
Alone in the bamboo forest, seven-year-old Little Jade, still dressed in red silk after her father's recent wedding, wonders whether she will ever meet her real mother. DAUGHTER OF THE BAMBOO FOREST is a story set in war-torn, post-revolutionary China during the 1940s. From age seven to twelve, Little Jade longs for the attention of an opium-addicted father and clashes with a desperate, resentful stepmother. The young girl is inadvertently swept by the tides of history, encountering a plague that decimated a village, Catholic nuns in a convent school, and the fabled dragon king along the way.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2012
121 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Sheng-Shih Lin
2 books15 followersSheng-Shih Lin came to the United States from Taiwan when she was thirteen with her family. She attended university in the U.S. and graduated with a prize in creative writing. She started working on Daughter of the Bamboo Forest when she was in college. The novel is loosely based on her mother's childhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 28, 2014
Daughter of the Bamboo Forest is the story of a young girl from a relatively well to do family in China during the second Sino-Japanese war, WWII and the Communist Revolution. Unfortunately, the author doesn't explore or really even connect these events to Little Jade's life other than as a very vague background. Daughter of the Bamboo Forest is really the story of a profoundly disfunctional family.
The main character, Little Jade, is difficult to care about. She seems to just sit around and wait for other people to do something. Admittedly, she's a child of six and the beginning of the book and approximately 12 or 13 at the end. However the although the majority of the book is her thoughts and observations, I never felt like she had a rich internal character.
The plot is similarly spare. The book begins with Little Jade's father, An Ling coming home with his new wife after a five year absence. Little Jade has been raised in the family home by her grandmother because her mother is "missing." Exactly how her mother went missing is a little unclear other than a mention of the Japanese occupation and that things were unstable.
The new wife is the stereotypical evil step mother - a young woman from a working class family that the father has married in order to produce a son. Little Jade reacts predictably badly to this woman with one passive aggressive outburst at their wedding and one aggressive outburst that results in the miscarriage of her half brother. For this she is sent away to a convent school, where her father visits her once and never returns. Even the school's entreaties to the parents to retrieve their girls because the communists are getting closer (again we don't really get any good insight to the situation its just a vague device to move the flimsy plot forward) does not cause her father to appear.
Out of nowhere a relative of her mother's arrives to take her to her mother. The reader learns that Little Jade's mother, who is presented as intelligent and independent, is now the unofficial wife of an important General in the nationalist army. They lead a life of incredible wealth and privilege. The descriptions of expensive clothing, servants and exquisite surroundings are detailed enough that this may be a comment on the corruption and privilege of the Nationalist elite. Her mother makes little physical, and no emotional, connection with Little Jade (whose name has now been changed to Lee) until she gets locked outside one evening and nearly dies of hypothermia. This is reminiscient of the one time that Jade's father showed any emotion towards Little Jade. He left her with her step grandparents in a city where the plague broke out. By the time he bothered to rescue her she was nearly starved and seems to have contracted and recovered from a minor case of the illness.
The ending was unsatifying. There's no resolution of the any of the characters, plot or the background political events. All of the disfunctional relationships continue to be disfunctionsal. We don't know if Jade ever saw her father again. We don't know what happened when the Nationalists fled to Taiwan which would seem to be an important issue since Jade now resides in the household of an important official.
The manner of referring to the characters is also strange. Some like Little Jade and Silver Pearl (the stepmother) are translated into English. Others like her father and her school friend, are translated once and then referred to with the English phonetic versions of their Chinese names. Perhaps there is something symbolic here which is why Little Jade must change her name when she comes into her mother's household, but if that's the case its too murky or culturally specific for this American reader to figure out what we were supposed to understand from it.
The main character, Little Jade, is difficult to care about. She seems to just sit around and wait for other people to do something. Admittedly, she's a child of six and the beginning of the book and approximately 12 or 13 at the end. However the although the majority of the book is her thoughts and observations, I never felt like she had a rich internal character.
The plot is similarly spare. The book begins with Little Jade's father, An Ling coming home with his new wife after a five year absence. Little Jade has been raised in the family home by her grandmother because her mother is "missing." Exactly how her mother went missing is a little unclear other than a mention of the Japanese occupation and that things were unstable.
The new wife is the stereotypical evil step mother - a young woman from a working class family that the father has married in order to produce a son. Little Jade reacts predictably badly to this woman with one passive aggressive outburst at their wedding and one aggressive outburst that results in the miscarriage of her half brother. For this she is sent away to a convent school, where her father visits her once and never returns. Even the school's entreaties to the parents to retrieve their girls because the communists are getting closer (again we don't really get any good insight to the situation its just a vague device to move the flimsy plot forward) does not cause her father to appear.
Out of nowhere a relative of her mother's arrives to take her to her mother. The reader learns that Little Jade's mother, who is presented as intelligent and independent, is now the unofficial wife of an important General in the nationalist army. They lead a life of incredible wealth and privilege. The descriptions of expensive clothing, servants and exquisite surroundings are detailed enough that this may be a comment on the corruption and privilege of the Nationalist elite. Her mother makes little physical, and no emotional, connection with Little Jade (whose name has now been changed to Lee) until she gets locked outside one evening and nearly dies of hypothermia. This is reminiscient of the one time that Jade's father showed any emotion towards Little Jade. He left her with her step grandparents in a city where the plague broke out. By the time he bothered to rescue her she was nearly starved and seems to have contracted and recovered from a minor case of the illness.
The ending was unsatifying. There's no resolution of the any of the characters, plot or the background political events. All of the disfunctional relationships continue to be disfunctionsal. We don't know if Jade ever saw her father again. We don't know what happened when the Nationalists fled to Taiwan which would seem to be an important issue since Jade now resides in the household of an important official.
The manner of referring to the characters is also strange. Some like Little Jade and Silver Pearl (the stepmother) are translated into English. Others like her father and her school friend, are translated once and then referred to with the English phonetic versions of their Chinese names. Perhaps there is something symbolic here which is why Little Jade must change her name when she comes into her mother's household, but if that's the case its too murky or culturally specific for this American reader to figure out what we were supposed to understand from it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2013
I just found this book ok. I kept waiting for something to happen, and was surprised when the book ended (read it on a kindle, it was a free book). When I got to the last page, I just thought, "hmmmm? This is it?" So I really just thought it was missing something. Honestly, I was almost glad I was done because I was just so unsatisfied.
I have read quite a few books of this genre, and this one just didn't do it for me.
I have read quite a few books of this genre, and this one just didn't do it for me.
November 14, 2012
I agree with the many reviews that the story needed fleshing out. For the most part the story was interesting and gave some insight to Chinese history and their culture. The ending was so abrupt that I thought for sure that I had accidentally advanced too many pages on my Kindle. I'm still glad I read the book.
March 21, 2014
I really enjoyed this book up until the ending. Little Jade born into a well to do family in the 1940's during the Chinese Revolution. She's wealthy then she's poor, she's wealthy then she's starving and freezing. Back and forth many times but still interesting. It was the blunt unsatisfying ending that in the end knocked my rating down from 4 to 3.
February 26, 2013
More like 2 1/2 stars. I didn't hate it I just wish it was more developed. I kept waiting for it to get good and then it ended. Just like that. Abrupt, not really finishing the story. Just glad that it was free on Amazon.
April 14, 2012
Loved it! I want the story to go on. Hope there will be a sequel.
October 13, 2012
The novel seems fall in the same general vein as Amy Tan's novels in subject matter, but doesn't quite measure up to Tan's level. The novel reads muddled and confused, as if the author wasn't quite sure how to convey the story. There's really only one developed character and the others, whose perspective the reader does get, only serve to move her plot forward. It just seems like wasted effort to write from one character's POV when the author seemed to have already decided her hero is the little girl. Maybe having the novel loosely based on the author's mother led to the author's bias tinge other characters, but then she should have written it strictly from the little girl's perspective. It would have been less distracting and would have led to a fuller story, instead of a threadbare plot with loose ends left by characters the author never seemed to care about in the first place.
Regarding other areas of writing, it was just poorly planned. The time jumps are ridiculous, some areas are so skated over you wonder if the author even put effort into those scenes, and the supposed mystery of the missing mother is essentially ignored for the first half the novel until a distant relative pops in so that the author can spell out the reveal for the reader. The book, in my opinion, shouldn't have been published as is. The story is compelling and one I would have liked to have read, after a substantial rewrite to more definitely get to what the author wanted from it.
Regarding other areas of writing, it was just poorly planned. The time jumps are ridiculous, some areas are so skated over you wonder if the author even put effort into those scenes, and the supposed mystery of the missing mother is essentially ignored for the first half the novel until a distant relative pops in so that the author can spell out the reveal for the reader. The book, in my opinion, shouldn't have been published as is. The story is compelling and one I would have liked to have read, after a substantial rewrite to more definitely get to what the author wanted from it.
July 22, 2012
I really liked the story, however some of the elements of the book and the style got in my way of attributing more stars. First off the editing - there were numerous typos that interfere with the flow. (I read the Kindle version if that helps.)
Second the perspective of the book shifts from the lead character to other characters as they tell their story. This is interesting and adds depth to the book. But what bothered me was that most of the supporting character's stories were just dropped. The author doesn't expand on what happens to the characters who fall by the wayside - the father, the step mother, a sibling, the stepgrandfather and stepgrandmother, the best friend from school. All were supporting characters whose lives were built up through the narration of their stories, then left hanging. If the book was written entirely from Little Jade's perspective, this would make sense as she personally had no further interaction with them and didn't know their fate. However, the story delves so deep into the past storyline from their perspectives that it struck me as unfinished to not put in some idea of their fates.
The book was good and I would recommend it to someone who likes to read books of Chinese familial history.
Second the perspective of the book shifts from the lead character to other characters as they tell their story. This is interesting and adds depth to the book. But what bothered me was that most of the supporting character's stories were just dropped. The author doesn't expand on what happens to the characters who fall by the wayside - the father, the step mother, a sibling, the stepgrandfather and stepgrandmother, the best friend from school. All were supporting characters whose lives were built up through the narration of their stories, then left hanging. If the book was written entirely from Little Jade's perspective, this would make sense as she personally had no further interaction with them and didn't know their fate. However, the story delves so deep into the past storyline from their perspectives that it struck me as unfinished to not put in some idea of their fates.
The book was good and I would recommend it to someone who likes to read books of Chinese familial history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2013
A sweet story of "Little Jade," a young girl born in the 1930s in China when Japan is in control. Her parents are two university students. When the story begins she is in the care of her father's Mother. Her father is never around and her grandmother provides love and stability. When her father remarries and her grandmother dies, this stability is gone. The story is tender and heartwrenching. A true coming of age story of a young woman who searches for her roots and her self in a time of chaos. I would recommend it for young audiences as well as adult audiences.
March 12, 2013
This book was a freebie and while I am often disappointed with the free offerings, I enjoyed this book. Set in the 1940's during the Chinese revolution it is the story of a young girl in China making her way into adulthood without family support and love. I felt as if I traveled emotionally with this little girl and the harsh realities she faced each day while I became immersed in the culture of those times.
January 5, 2013
I thought I would try out this author as she has been compared to Amy Tan - who is one of my favorites. There were a lot of similarities but I found this story to be lacking in detail and the ending was so abrupt that I was surprised. The main character is unique and interesting but the rest of the story is mostly just sad and depressing. Even the ending was depressing.
April 30, 2012
I really think this book could have gone on longer. It seemed to end a little prematurely for my liking.
April 1, 2013
I loved the detached sense of writing for this book, it moves along in a dreamlike quality. That said said the end was so abrupt it was bizarre.
March 16, 2018
There is a part of me that feels the three star rating is a bit too generous. I gave the author a bit of a pass on some grammar issues because her profile indicates she came to the U.S. from Taiwan as a thirteen-year-old girl. It's clear that English is not her native language; the pervasive and unnecessary use of articles in front of familial titles is jarring. That being said, there were some beautiful passages that evoked the senses and drew me into Little Jade's story.
Abandoned by her mother and father, Little Jade grows up on her father's ancestral estate under the loving eye of her grandmother. When her father marries his second wife, Little Jade's life undergoes some minor but notable adjustments. Things only get worse as World War II brings death, disease, and poverty into her life.
(Brief aside: I had no idea until I read this book that the Japanese tested biological agents in China!)
Little Jade's tale is a lonely sojourn through adolescence. Your heart will ache for this little girl who wants only to be loved and cared for in a world of selfish adults.
Abandoned by her mother and father, Little Jade grows up on her father's ancestral estate under the loving eye of her grandmother. When her father marries his second wife, Little Jade's life undergoes some minor but notable adjustments. Things only get worse as World War II brings death, disease, and poverty into her life.
(Brief aside: I had no idea until I read this book that the Japanese tested biological agents in China!)
Little Jade's tale is a lonely sojourn through adolescence. Your heart will ache for this little girl who wants only to be loved and cared for in a world of selfish adults.
March 5, 2018
I liked the beginning, but the end fell flat. It was one of those books where I felt like the author just got tired of the story or stuck and just ended the book. With all that was going on in the world around Little Jade it would have been nice if that was brought more into the story. Too bad because it started with such promise.
December 26, 2019
History and culture
This book will make you cry for the hardships that Little Jade endured, but the ending is full of joy. Knowing it is based on the author's family adds a significant element of interest.
This book will make you cry for the hardships that Little Jade endured, but the ending is full of joy. Knowing it is based on the author's family adds a significant element of interest.
September 16, 2018
More
The story ends suddenly, I want more! What happens to Lee and her family when the Communists take over? Does Jen get her family out?
The story ends suddenly, I want more! What happens to Lee and her family when the Communists take over? Does Jen get her family out?
June 28, 2019
Some interesting history included. The plague bombings were something i did not recall reading about in other accounts of this time period.
A very abrupt end surprised me.
A very abrupt end surprised me.
December 31, 2019
Tedious, simple, and unecessary.
September 26, 2012
The story starts in the summer of 1941 in the countryside of northern China. Japan had invaded China in 1933, but by 1941 did not have enough troops to occupy the northern part, which left it at the mercy of bandits and some lawlessness. Little Jade was six years old and cared for by her paternal grandmother, even sleeping with her. She watched her grandmother daily meditate and send prayers to Quan Yin, which gave her a strength as she grew older and faced difficult times. She had never known her real mother and when she asked about her, her grandmother would not answer. Her father An Lang of the wealthy Su family spent hardly no time with her and then married a fifteen year old farm girl as his second wife. Her father’s household was wealthy, even to having two slave girls. The family estate lay on the edge of a large bamboo forest and Little Jade spent most of her days when it was not winter in the forest, even though her grandmother warned her of its poisonous snakes. She felt as if it was her forest and she had no one to play with..
One day her father gave her a jade disk that was made when she was born. The words Wei and An were carved into it as An is her father’s name and Wei from her mother’s name Chang Wei Jen. Then he told her that they both went to Peking University, married and after Jen got pregnant with Little Jade, Jen suggested he finish his studies in Japan so she wouldn’t get pregnant again. He did, but during that time she had another baby girl by him, but he didn’t know where she or the baby was. Throughout the story, Little Jade pined for her mother Jen as she didn’t like her stepmother Silver Pearl, who although having come from a poor farm family, put on airs because she was the wife of a wealthy man. Her grandmother died, leaving her feeling desolate because now no one cared for her. The Japanese were defeated, the countryside where Little Jade lived became very poor, bad crops, drought and she was left with Silver Pearl’s old father while Silver Pearl’s mother took care of Silver Pearl after her baby died almost at birth. They were starving, living in a shack with hardly no protection from the winter snows and cold.
Using Little Jade as the focus, the author takes us through the customs of the northern Chinese, their religious beliefs, the daily lives of both the poor and the rich and some of the civil war between the Chinese Communists and the Chinese Nationalists. The author writes very descriptively so that the reader can see, feel and have some insight into the Asian mind. This is one of those novels that acts as a study in the history and culture of a different race and a different time over sixty years ago. Although it is not a long novel and written rather simply, I enjoyed it and recommend it.
One day her father gave her a jade disk that was made when she was born. The words Wei and An were carved into it as An is her father’s name and Wei from her mother’s name Chang Wei Jen. Then he told her that they both went to Peking University, married and after Jen got pregnant with Little Jade, Jen suggested he finish his studies in Japan so she wouldn’t get pregnant again. He did, but during that time she had another baby girl by him, but he didn’t know where she or the baby was. Throughout the story, Little Jade pined for her mother Jen as she didn’t like her stepmother Silver Pearl, who although having come from a poor farm family, put on airs because she was the wife of a wealthy man. Her grandmother died, leaving her feeling desolate because now no one cared for her. The Japanese were defeated, the countryside where Little Jade lived became very poor, bad crops, drought and she was left with Silver Pearl’s old father while Silver Pearl’s mother took care of Silver Pearl after her baby died almost at birth. They were starving, living in a shack with hardly no protection from the winter snows and cold.
Using Little Jade as the focus, the author takes us through the customs of the northern Chinese, their religious beliefs, the daily lives of both the poor and the rich and some of the civil war between the Chinese Communists and the Chinese Nationalists. The author writes very descriptively so that the reader can see, feel and have some insight into the Asian mind. This is one of those novels that acts as a study in the history and culture of a different race and a different time over sixty years ago. Although it is not a long novel and written rather simply, I enjoyed it and recommend it.
July 10, 2012
At the point in Chinese history that this novel covers, World War II ends, the Japanese finally depart, and the Communists start a civil war with the Chinese Nationalists. The weather didn't cooperate and many small towns were completely decimated by storms and starvation.
We are walked through these various scenarios by Little Jade, a girl who starts at 6 years old, the book ending when she is 12. At various stages in her life, she lives in luxury with a loving grandmother, she attends a Christian religious school, she moves to the country and starves with her step-grandfather, she lives with her father and a shallow step-mother, she sees insanity, opium addiction, and eventually lives with her entrepreneurial mother and Nationalist general step-father. She has a sibling and some half-siblings that she might or might not ever meet. People worry about her out of obligation, but she gets almost no love in her short life. Throughout, she dreams about a reunion with the mother she hasn't seen since she was two.
Little Jade's story is compelling, and the Chinese history is illustrated beautifully through her eyes. The book is well researched and well written. The author should be proud of her achievement.
I received this book for free in order to review it for The Kindle Book Review website. I am not affiliated in any way with either the author or any publisher(s).
-- Java Davis (The Kindle Book Review)
We are walked through these various scenarios by Little Jade, a girl who starts at 6 years old, the book ending when she is 12. At various stages in her life, she lives in luxury with a loving grandmother, she attends a Christian religious school, she moves to the country and starves with her step-grandfather, she lives with her father and a shallow step-mother, she sees insanity, opium addiction, and eventually lives with her entrepreneurial mother and Nationalist general step-father. She has a sibling and some half-siblings that she might or might not ever meet. People worry about her out of obligation, but she gets almost no love in her short life. Throughout, she dreams about a reunion with the mother she hasn't seen since she was two.
Little Jade's story is compelling, and the Chinese history is illustrated beautifully through her eyes. The book is well researched and well written. The author should be proud of her achievement.
I received this book for free in order to review it for The Kindle Book Review website. I am not affiliated in any way with either the author or any publisher(s).
-- Java Davis (The Kindle Book Review)
June 7, 2016
This book is a hot mess. It has all the elements that would make a fantastic story, but it fails to properly utilize any of them.
The novel has little to no narrative structure, which makes it feel like a series of only partially related events. Every time a new character of any import is introduced, the author takes us on an extended info-dump flashback of their entire life. The entire story is told to the reader, rather than shown - aside from a few detailed scene settings which are beautifully described but usually pointless since the action will often take place in a flashback unrelated to said setting. The author rarely offers insight into the emotions and thoughts of the characters, making it incredibly hard to connect or identify with any of them, and the only remotely likable character dies early on anyway.
The two main draws to this book for me were the historical aspect and the setting, since I'm not familiar with this period of China's history. Unfortunately, I'm still not. The novel offers little context as to the cultural significance of most of the events, aside from a sentence or two that often feels like an afterthought. Likewise, the history is mentioned only in passing and its effect on the character's lives thus feels weak. The ending is incredibly abrupt and leaves most of the narrative's threads dangling.
Ultimately, this novel gave me tiny glimpses of potential brilliance but failed to immerse me.
The novel has little to no narrative structure, which makes it feel like a series of only partially related events. Every time a new character of any import is introduced, the author takes us on an extended info-dump flashback of their entire life. The entire story is told to the reader, rather than shown - aside from a few detailed scene settings which are beautifully described but usually pointless since the action will often take place in a flashback unrelated to said setting. The author rarely offers insight into the emotions and thoughts of the characters, making it incredibly hard to connect or identify with any of them, and the only remotely likable character dies early on anyway.
The two main draws to this book for me were the historical aspect and the setting, since I'm not familiar with this period of China's history. Unfortunately, I'm still not. The novel offers little context as to the cultural significance of most of the events, aside from a sentence or two that often feels like an afterthought. Likewise, the history is mentioned only in passing and its effect on the character's lives thus feels weak. The ending is incredibly abrupt and leaves most of the narrative's threads dangling.
Ultimately, this novel gave me tiny glimpses of potential brilliance but failed to immerse me.
November 9, 2014
This book has the impressive (to me) distinction of being the worst book I have ever read, or rather tried to read. I am the kind of person that must finish a book I start, probably because it's hard for me to really hate a book. I have always been a bit of a bookworm, but there are only two books I just couldn't finish in my life and this one is the worse of the two. Sloppy writing and unlikable characters are just the beginning. I have loved all the other Chinese fiction I've read, especially Lisa See and Amy Tan. This book is like something I would have written in elementary school, but less interesting. Much of the beginning of the story takes place in Little Jade's head. Due to her lack of understanding, level of confusion, and simplistic thoughts I thought she was 3 or 4. But she was older, as became apparent later. I think she was 7-12 in the book, but her childishness didn't seem to go away. I think the author has never had a conversation with a 9-year-old or perhaps she was an exceptionally "simple" child herself, which would explain the writing. At one point, a man "crossed over to the door", then there was some dialog, then he "walked over to the door" to go. Keeping up with where your characters are in the scene is pretty fundamental. I can't take this; there are so many more good or even mediocre books more worth my time. I wish I could give zero stars.
August 12, 2012
I wanted to like this book, I really did. However, I just couldn't get myself to care about the characters much. I had a bit of a problem with the style the author has for storytelling. Primarily, she jumps from one character's perspective to another's quite often, making me feel anxious as a reader. Also, the pace of the book was similarly jumpy, in one case spanning the entire WWII in one chapter, only to jump back from another character's perspective to tell another side of the story. I think that if she would have taken a little more time to build each scene, it would have been permissible to do these types of things, but overall, it just felt disjointed to me.
Also, I really just felt terribly for Little Jade. She lost everyone and everything she loved, and only in the last paragraph of the book does one feel any sort of hope for her future. I didn't think that was enough to leave me with a sense of inspiration regarding Little Jade/Lee and her situation, but I get the sense the author was trying to convey that feeling. Again, if that scene or theme would have been elaborated on a bit more extensively, I think she (the author) could have gotten there.
All in all, this book has good bones, but not enough meat on them.
Also, I really just felt terribly for Little Jade. She lost everyone and everything she loved, and only in the last paragraph of the book does one feel any sort of hope for her future. I didn't think that was enough to leave me with a sense of inspiration regarding Little Jade/Lee and her situation, but I get the sense the author was trying to convey that feeling. Again, if that scene or theme would have been elaborated on a bit more extensively, I think she (the author) could have gotten there.
All in all, this book has good bones, but not enough meat on them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2013
There are many positive aspects of this book. Some of the language is lovely. The setting (the place China, the period 1939-1946) should be fascinating.
However, while there are poetic descriptions of emotions and appearances, most sentences begin with names or pronouns. There are frequently several sentences in a row that begin with "she" or "Little Jade" or another character's name. This gives the novel a dull rhythm.
Also, the novel is so focused on the unhappy and lacking relationships of the characters that much of the politics (including the Japanese occupation and the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists) are relegated to background. While the characters know well that the end of an era is rapidly approaching, I felt no real sense of menace or danger on their behalf.
Family angst is far from my favorite topic, and I do like to read about people in jeopardy, so this book may well appeal more to people with different interests.
However, while there are poetic descriptions of emotions and appearances, most sentences begin with names or pronouns. There are frequently several sentences in a row that begin with "she" or "Little Jade" or another character's name. This gives the novel a dull rhythm.
Also, the novel is so focused on the unhappy and lacking relationships of the characters that much of the politics (including the Japanese occupation and the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists) are relegated to background. While the characters know well that the end of an era is rapidly approaching, I felt no real sense of menace or danger on their behalf.
Family angst is far from my favorite topic, and I do like to read about people in jeopardy, so this book may well appeal more to people with different interests.
May 29, 2017
Daughter of the Bamboo Forest was not what I expected it to be. When I read the description of it, I figured it would be closer tied to Chinese mythology. It was the dragon king bit that threw me off, I see that now. Thanks a lot, Amazon.
Instead of being fantasy, this book is more historical fiction, and follows the tale of Little Jade. The story takes place during World War II, and details the various hardships faced in China during those years. Little Jade was raised by her grandmother because her mother got separated from them by the war, and her father was studying in Japan. Most of the book is Little Jade being passed from one person to another as somebody dies, or some other tragedy occurs.
There is a happy ending, though.
I really liked this book, maybe - in this particular case - because it wasn't what I expected it to be.
Instead of being fantasy, this book is more historical fiction, and follows the tale of Little Jade. The story takes place during World War II, and details the various hardships faced in China during those years. Little Jade was raised by her grandmother because her mother got separated from them by the war, and her father was studying in Japan. Most of the book is Little Jade being passed from one person to another as somebody dies, or some other tragedy occurs.
There is a happy ending, though.
I really liked this book, maybe - in this particular case - because it wasn't what I expected it to be.
July 17, 2016
The story is set in China during the Japanese occupation but except for a random mention here and there you'd never know the Japanese were anywhere around. We follow a young girl, Little Jade, as her entire life seems to be nothing but losing people, whether through death or just plain abandonment. It was so damned depressing! I'm not saying you have to have your characters tra-la-laing across every page, but you've got to give your readers a ray of sunshine every now and then. All this doom and gloom dragged me down. Absolutely no one in this book was ever happy at any time. Even the supporting characters had a dark cloud constantly hovering over them.
Wait, I take that back. I think I recall a maid laughing. Once.
Wait, I take that back. I think I recall a maid laughing. Once.
March 13, 2013
A very interesting tale of the life of a child in China,during the Japanese Occupation of China, the subsequent civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists. Little Jade's story is one of parental abandonment and the search she undergoes for a stable, loving parent. It's a fascinating study of an unfamilair world, but one that encompasses all humanity in the scope of this small child's eyes. The author has a style that discern odors and colors in a unique way that helps us to feel part of the environment, so we are not only drawn emotionally to Little Jade but 'feel' that we are included in the scene. My only regret is that the book stopped, and I want to continue on to find what happened to this girl who has held our heart since her birth.
January 4, 2016
Hmm. Every once in a while I grab a book about China. This one was ok and a good way to pass some time on a long flight.
Little Jade was spoiled by Grandma and unknown and later ignored by her father. She was born into the wealthy Su family and then shipped off with her step mother to the in-laws when the 1940's Chinese revolution came calling to her town. After almost dying in the plague with her kind step-grandfather, she's rescued by her father in a mule-cart. Only later to be shipped off to study with nuns, and finally be rescued by her birth mother (but she has to change her name to her mother's new last name and pretend to be a niece).
Sheesh! Why did it all have to be so complicated. And then the book abruptly ends when her birth mom finally hugs her. Hmm.
Little Jade was spoiled by Grandma and unknown and later ignored by her father. She was born into the wealthy Su family and then shipped off with her step mother to the in-laws when the 1940's Chinese revolution came calling to her town. After almost dying in the plague with her kind step-grandfather, she's rescued by her father in a mule-cart. Only later to be shipped off to study with nuns, and finally be rescued by her birth mother (but she has to change her name to her mother's new last name and pretend to be a niece).
Sheesh! Why did it all have to be so complicated. And then the book abruptly ends when her birth mom finally hugs her. Hmm.
July 21, 2012
This lovely story about Little Jade, her father An Ling, grandmother, stepmother, step-grandparents, and finally her mother takes us from the relative peace of the Chinese countryside through the Japanese invasion of China and the Chinese civil war.
Little Jade is born into a wealthy family but her world falls apart after her father remarries and her beloved grandmother dies. She is sent to live with her poor step-grandparents where she encounters plague, hunger, and death before her father rescues her.
The writing is wonderful even when telling of disasters-- some parts are poetic.
No sex, violence, or foul language
Opium addition is mentioned in passing
Little Jade is born into a wealthy family but her world falls apart after her father remarries and her beloved grandmother dies. She is sent to live with her poor step-grandparents where she encounters plague, hunger, and death before her father rescues her.
The writing is wonderful even when telling of disasters-- some parts are poetic.
No sex, violence, or foul language
Opium addition is mentioned in passing
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