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Women of the West
Daughter of Joy: A Novel of Gold Rush California
When a powerful Chinese businessman decides Ah Toy--who had lost her master on the voyage to the New World--should be under his control, she goes to court to maintain her independence in Gold Rush San Francisco, in a novel based on the life of a real-life woman. Reprint.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 13, 2019
Entertaining, insightful and an all-around great work of historical, creative non-fiction, although more creative than non-fiction. The best part was the historical afterword - why don't they teach this stuff in history class? We had field trips to Sutter's Fort and Sutter's Mill, but the truth is not taught in schools. This book should be required reading for all California high school students.
February 11, 2020
Engaging characters, engaging story, very well researched, good atmosphere. This was a very satisfying novel about early California, infused with a lot of Chinese cultural info and realism.
August 19, 2018
Read this before I began keeping a reading journal but I have always remembered it as an outstanding favorite. Really brought gold-rush era Chinese immigrant experience to life.
6/18: Decided to reread. Changed rating to 3.5* from the 5* that memory gave it. Wonder if I was confusing this title with a similar book in my glowing recollection. Still an interesting look at Chinese experience in gold rush era CA with lots on the cultural conflicts, traditions etc.. Also interesting to see how San Francisco was continually being rebuilt, practically overnight, because of the frequent fires that razed whole streets and neighborhoods. I read a number of the Women of the West series which, like this one, looks at strong women who have been largely forgotten by history but who were instrumental in the settlement of the West.
6/18: Decided to reread. Changed rating to 3.5* from the 5* that memory gave it. Wonder if I was confusing this title with a similar book in my glowing recollection. Still an interesting look at Chinese experience in gold rush era CA with lots on the cultural conflicts, traditions etc.. Also interesting to see how San Francisco was continually being rebuilt, practically overnight, because of the frequent fires that razed whole streets and neighborhoods. I read a number of the Women of the West series which, like this one, looks at strong women who have been largely forgotten by history but who were instrumental in the settlement of the West.
May 20, 2009
Well researched and interesting. A little annoying with the stilted English of spoken words, but forgivable. I could be harsher about the things I didn't like, like the imagined romance and conclusion, but again forgivable because that's part of the choices that an author gets to make. Overall I'm glad this book exists, for anyone fascinated by gold-rush era San Francisco this is a must read.
May 2, 2012
Amazing tale, based on an actual Chinese woman who came to gold-rush California and managed to become a successful independent woman, which was rare in those days, and unheard of for Chinese women. Not the best writer, but a great story, and pretty well written.
November 20, 2012
"...a wild west fictional tale based on mostly fact, without once losing sight of the qualities that make good fiction."
My review here:
http://mostlyfiction.com/west/levy.htm
My review here:
http://mostlyfiction.com/west/levy.htm
February 28, 2008
Disappointed that this book is out of print. A story that should not be lost.
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August 9, 2011Historical fiction. Long on history, short on fiction.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews