The Scavenger's Daughters

Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #1

by Kay Bratt

Having survived torture and imprisonment during China’s Cultural Revolution, Benfu escaped to find love with his compassionate and beautiful Calla Lily. Together they build a fulfilling life around the most menial of jobs—Benfu’s work collecting trash. As he sorts through the discards of others, he regularly discovers abandoned children. With unwavering determination, he and Calli spend decades creating a family of hand-picked daughters that help heal the sorrow and brighten their modest home. But all is not perfect and when crisis threatens to separate their family, Benfu—or possibly his band of headstrong daughters—must find a way to overcome the biggest hardship yet.

Inspired by a true story, and set against the backdrop of a country in transition, The Scavenger’s Daughters is a sweeping present day saga of triumph in the face of hardship, and the unbreakable bonds of family against all odds.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, China, Book Club, Audiobook, Romance, Historical

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2013

About the author

Writer, Rescuer, Wanderer


Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.


Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian. 


Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.

In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.


As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.


Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. 
For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.


Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of this book is the history. It begins with Benfu, the main character, being imprisoned like millions of others during Mao's Cultural Revolution. He's considered Black Chinese vs. Red Chinese because he came from an intellectual family and in Mao's China education (other than how to serve the common cause as delineated by Mao's followers) was a negative. Knowing what the consequences were if this were known in the farm work camp Benfu attempts to keep his background hidden. When it's discovered he's punished by beatings and starvation and he's locked up in a shed. He's able to escape and start a family with Calla Lily. Together they rescue unwanted female children who've been abandoned by their families. Oddly Bratt seems to assume this is the mother's fault with the father bearing no part. She alternately blames the grandparents. The father remains innocent in this atrocity. From chapter five, "...if he'd (Benfu) managed to raise dozens of daughters he didn't see how the woman (birth mother) couldn't take care of just one."

Benfu's and Calli's family life is touching in the extreme. Many of the girls have physical limitations such as blindness, paralysis, inability to speak, etc. but the couple's love goes a long way to healing at least their emotional scars. There's absolutely nothing to fault in this part of the story though it goes on for too long and is overly sentimental.

I wish "The Scavenger's Daughters" had been more appropriately marketed to Young Adults because the language and emotions are often simplistic though some of the lessons about Mao's China are more elaborate. Because of this I found myself getting bored and frustrated as the story languished. Maybe some sharper editing would have prevented the needless length of the book (though it's only about 270 pages) and/or the lack of emotional depth the over sentimentality mars it where more restraint might have made the point more succinctly.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Numerous China adoptive mamas recommend Kay Bratt's work, so I finally gave in and ordered this book on kindle. Within the first chapter, it was clear that while the concept was compelling and unique (abandoned children being raised by a scavenger in modern China) the execution was incredibly poor.

Sprinkling the occasional pin-yin expression and placing your characters in a Chinese city, does not make them Chinese! While Bratt's credentials of living in China for 5 years are trumpeted throughout the marketing material, and many adoptive families recommend the series, PLEASE DO NOT THINK THIS IS CHINA or CHINESE CULTURE! Bratt may have lived among the Chinese, but it is clear that she has completely *failed* to bridge the cultural gap. What's even more disturbing is her complete ignorance that she is far, far, far afield. The result is a borderline ridiculous application of western lifestyle, thought and ideas to shallow, unbelievable characters in simplistic plots that reach novel status simply through attaining a certain word count. I would be utterly embarrassed for a Chinese friend to read this book.

Due to their popularity in the American community interested in China, and the cheap price for Kindle, I may read the rest of the series, but writing this review (and noting the ratings/ reviews on-line) horrifies me with renewed recognition that readers think this is China! I thought I could give it 2 stars, but now I'm struggling! I usually reserve a one star rating for books with objectionable content, but this is so saccharine, it seems cruel to lump it in with violence, pedophiles, abusers, etc. And yet, I really don't want you to buy this book and read it thinking you are learning much about China beyond some facts that are easily found (such as why people abandoned children or how children that are wanted by their parents end up abandoned).

Please, for the love of China, read Pearl Buck (start with The Good Earth trilogy), or Robert Carter's "The Barbarians" or Lisa See's "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" or for non-fiction Scott W. Morton's "China: It's history and culture"! And for a non-fiction look at the complex dynamics around abandoned children, see Leslie K. Wang's "Outsourcing Children: Orphanage Care and Adoption in Globalizing China." These books are all written by westerners who have bridged the divide by training themselves to inhale and exhale Chinese culture. They won't get you as far as the Chinese classics, but they will at least be a reasonable glimpse into the elusive and rich world that is China.

If you would like a Chinese account on abandonment and motherhood in China, see "Message of an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Love and Loss" by Xinran.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Good Earth (House of Earth #1), Buck, 1931
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barbarians, Carter, 1998
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, See, 2004
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

China: It's History and Culture, Morton, 1980
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Outsourcing Children: Orphanage Care and Adoption in Globalizing China, Wang, 2016
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of this book is extremely interesting, and perhaps in the hands of an author with a more thorough attention to developing complex characters, plots, conflicts, and details about place it might have been a riveting novel. I just don't think that's a possibility with this writer. Yes, it is designed to be sentimental and uplifting. Yes, the story of a scavenger who rescues abandoned daughters is highly interesting and necessarily emotional. The problem is that the emotions were so simplistic, the resolution so pat, and the conflict so obviously meant to garner cheap reactions that it made the book seem extremely contrived and ultimately rather boring.

An example is the way the history of Benfu and Calla Lilly's only birth child is suddenly introduced. It offers no real details or depth, but serves simply to thinly justify the next action in the story, and quickly explain a hidden trauma. Seems important, except that in the context of this narrative it is just an extra unexplored thread. I actually think that as novel this is way too simplified, even for light reading. It could have been better as either a short story trimmed of unnecessary fluff or a more complex novel, but as it stands it seems like an early draft. Still, it's totally readable, just not at all memorable.

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that I’ve always enjoyed books that depict the wonders of intriguing China, whether it’s an historical or a contemporary read. Indeed, I remember devouring books by Pearl S. Buck during my adolescence. Nowadays, I’ve very much drawn to the captivating stories told by talented Lisa See. Additionally, I had the opportunity to discover the vibrant city of Shanghai this past November during a work trip, and I was more compelled than ever to enjoy another read that had the Chinese culture at its center.
I’ve never heard of Kay Bratt, so I gave this book a try, and although this read isn’t filled with long pages describing the Chinese culture and history, it was certainly pleasant enough. I would describe The Scavenger’s Daughters as more of a light read, a family saga with elderly couple Benfu Lao Zheng and Calli Lily as main protagonists. Benfu has had a hard life, having suffered in the sixties during the Cultural Revolution. The circumstances are bit complicated to explain, suffice it to say that it was also his pride that played a big part in the choices he made. It stands clear that Benfu and Calli are courageous, generous and wise; having taken into their home many orphaned, abandoned young girls for decades; feeding, clothing them, but above all loving them. Many of the foundlings were left alone on the side of the street, because they were handicapped or simply because of their gender.
This is book 1 of 4 and I might read the others, I don’t know yet. Like I said, what they lack in gravitas and background, they make up in sweetness and hope.
To be noted also is that the narrator of the Audiobook, Will Damron, did a great job bringing the story to life.

[☕Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am normally a fan of books set in other parts of the world but this one was a disappointment. I didn't get any real sense of the atmosphere or culture of China and felt like with minor tweaks this story could have taken place anywhere. It is essentially the old poor-girl-meets-rich-boy plot line with its inherent themes of prejudice and class bias, and it is done neither well nor with any innovation. The writing is unsophisticated, the characters one-dimensional and the dialogue generic. This often felt very much like a young-adult novel, and not a good one at that. I have to give the author some credit for not using a couple of unrealistic, cheesy plot resolutions I was afraid she would but that's not saying much. I will not be reading the rest of the books in this series.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story full of morals and lessons, each one will touch a spot on your heart.


It begins with a boy...imprisoned, beaten, harmed, all because of his family background. All it takes is one act of kindness to change this boy's life and that of dozens of people. For when someone shows him this act of kindness, he vows he spend the rest of his life doing good for others.

The boy becomes a man, a trash collector. In China, daughters are discarded and abandoned a lot. He finds them in the trash and he keeps them, feeds them, clothes them, provides them as love as he can. With all these daughters, he's relegated to a life of poverty. They don't live like other people, but they have love. They have each other.

But what will happen to them all when he dies? He's very ill; he has no retirement, no savings; nobody is helping them.

The lessons that sum up beautifully in the pages...

-You can't judge a group as a whole by the actions of one or a few. There are bad and good in every bunch.
-Never let pride prevent from you getting help if it's needed and available. Don't deny those around you a better life because you can't bear to admit you need help.
-Karma happens. One good deed can change a life....as well as your own.
-One doesn't need material objects to have a fulfilling life.

Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt, authentic look at a scavenger in post-Maoist China, and the love he and his wife extend to the host of abandoned girls who become their daughters. As an adoptive mother, this novel—inspired by a true story—struck me deep. Highly, wholeheartedly recommended.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the novels I have read about China depict a variety of hopeless conditions with a stunning lack of compassion by citizens for their fellow man. When daily life is an epic struggle. with barely enough food to feed yourself, there is often little thought of the suffering of others. And sadly, little regard for a discarded child. The Scavenger's Daughters is about an unlikely couple, poorer than poor, that care about homeless children. While they are the lowest on the social strata they find it in their hearts to take in as many abandoned girls as they can to raise as their own with little assistance from the government. The story begins during Mao's revolution and into modern day China and weaves a beautiful tale of how a couple devastated by their own personal tragedy rebuild their family with discarded children. This is a tale of love and compassion. Of stubbornness and acceptance. The Scavenger's Daughters is a beautifully written family drama mixed with interesting historical fiction.This is the first book in a series and I can hardly wait to read the next one!

[Carmi Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scavenger’s Daughter by Kay Bratt is the first book in a trilogy “The Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters.” Ms. Bratt was inspired to write the trilogy after learning about scavengers in China who have taken unwanted and abandoned children into their homes. She hopes this book will be an inspiration to others and will raise awareness of the struggles working class people in China face.
Zheng Benfu, a scavenger who makes his living by picking up trash to be recycled, Calla Lily his wife and Linnea his oldest daughter living at home are the main characters.
The story begins during the Cultural Revolution with Benfu imprisoned in a commune for having a bad family background or “black” background as opposed to a “red” background. I especially appreciated the information we learn about the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. I have read extensively about China and the facts used in the book are all accurate. Benfu’s life is lived in the shadow of what happened to him during that time. Benfu and Calli are loving people who take the many abandoned girls that he finds into their home and make them a part of the Zheng family. We learn how the Cultural Revolution changed the family relationships in China and we see how abandoned and institutionalized children are rejected as inferior and are not allowed to have the same opportunities, such as education, that children with families have. One of my favorite quotes from The Scavenger’s Daughter is in chapter five when Benfu is thinking about his daughter Peony who was abandoned by her mother due to a “peach size” lump on her head; “Once again he was struck with a wonderful daughter the woman was missing out on. And for what? If someone waited until they were financially able to have children – or in this case keep their children – there wouldn’t be much procreating going on. And if he’d managed to raise dozens of daughters, he didn’t see how the woman couldn’t take care of just one.” I used a similar argument when talking to my husband about adopting our second daughter.
Linnea is the daughter we are introduced to in this book. She must resolve the conflict between her family’s lifestyle and that of the young man who is in love with her. Will the parents on both sides be accepting? Other conflicts arise that mean all the girls must work together to bring their family through intact. I totally enjoyed this first book and I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.
I could not find much that was a negative for me. I would have liked to learn more about Calli and I hope that comes in the next book. There were a couple of places where I thought something appeared to be left out. This only happened in pages 220 through 225 when Linnea and Jet are at his parent’s home. Jet is in the kitchen with his mom but then Linnea tells him she needs to get home but we don’t see him come back into the room and on the very next page Jet is pulling into the lane leading to Linnea’s house. We don’t see them saying good-by to Jet’s parents. During the time they are at Jet’s house his mother apparently asks them to collect some information. This is referenced on page 224 but we don’t know what the information is or why she asked for it. On page 221 Linnea is convinced that Jet’s mother does not like her and then on page 225 she says his parents are amazing. Just not sure what is going on in this section.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in China and how the Cultural Revolution affected the people of China and to anyone who has adopted children from China. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As others have mentioned it is written rather simplistically (and contains far too many exclamation marks, an unfortunate pet peeve of mine) but even so the moral of the story is too beautiful for me not to have enjoyed it. The concept of building a family based on companionship and cooperation rather than duty forced by blood really resonated with me. I loved the way in which Benfu, Calli and their adopted daughters face their daily struggles together, helping and supporting each other and making sure that everybody feels not only loved but also significant and vital to the group. Considering so many of the daughters have physical disabilities this is particularly poignant. Nobody is made to feel like a burden, rather they are given an important daily task which they can successfully accomplish. This goes a long way to healing the wounds left on these girls by the abandonment of them by their birth parents.
Although not particularly detailed, I did enjoy the history that Benfu tells his daughters about the Cultural Revolution in China and how it affected their society. I hope to learn more in the next books in the series, which I will be reading.

[Mary Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Palest Ink was one of my favorite reads last year. While that story centers around a young Benfu, Bratt begins the Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters series with an older, much wiser Benfu. His golden years (should they be called that?) are much different than those of his youth, when things came to him easily as the son of wealthy, respectable parents. Having cut ties with his privileged past, Benfu spends his days scavenging. He's a junk collector. Benfu collects and sells other's unwanted trash. Along the way, he has also rescued discarded and orphaned girls that have been thrown away like yesterday's garbage. It's no mistake that Bratt chooses this profession for Benfu and the meaning behind this decision is not lost on me.

Understandably, Benfu is resentful and angry at the government that betrayed him as a young man. The communist revolution of Mao Zedong stole young Benfu's life, changing him forever. Benfu's bitter resentment causes him to make decisions that are not always in the best interest of his loved ones. His pride may be the undoing of the family he's worked so hard to protect.

The Scavenger's Daughters, narrated beautifully by Will Damron, was a great Audible listen. I have all three ebooks in this series but thought it would be interesting to start the series with the audio version. I wanted to get the feel of things. Damron puts a lot of emotion into his storytelling and was believable as Benfu. He didn't do too bad as Benfu's daughters either.

I highly recommend reading the prequel, The Palest Ink, first. I had this series on my kindle for a couple of years. You know how it goes; I really wanted to start the first book way back when. Then, Bratt released the prequel and I'm glad I waited. I feel like the reader will better understand the reasoning behind Benfu's decisions to live life as he does. Besides, I'm not really a fan of going backwards in stories. Every reader has their method. Mix the series up if ya like. There are FIVE books in the series. Tangled Vines Book Two, Bitter Winds Book Three, Red Skies Book Four. Book One is .99c on Amazon. Book Two - Book Four is 1.99. Worth every penny. The Palest Ink completes the series.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a tribute to the so called scavengers who rescue abandoned children in China this is a worthy record of events, their stories should be shared and Kay Bratt's efforts to do so are admirable. She created the fictional family in her novel based on people like Lou Xiaoying who raised over thirty children that were found abandoned on the streets.

The novel is somewhat simply told, Benfu and his wife Calli live in poverty, scraping to make enough money to pay their bills. They have a large family of daughters, all of whom have been abandoned by their families and found by Benfu who is a scavenger. He makes his way through town picking up bottles, cans, parts from electronics and anything else that has been discarded but still has some value. He sells what he finds to make a living. Sometimes he finds children who have been discarded, sometimes they are babies who have been thrown away like trash, sometimes they are older with special needs. He and his wife give them a home, love and a family.

This is a book you read because you are curious about the circumstances that brought the story to be, for that criteria it meets the expectation. The writing is not very sophisticated, I think this would be appropriate for a Young Adult audience. The time and place isn't well rendered and the characters aren't very well developed. The dialogue is often used to inform the reader about the history of the characters or the history of China and so doesn't sound very realistic.

However this is a sweet story of love and affection within a family that was created from the unwanted children, discarded by others. I found it to be fascinating (horrifying) and moving. The three main characters are portrayed realistically enough so their conflicts are compelling to the reader. This won't be the most well written novel I've read this year but I will remember this story.

I haven't read anything about this issue before but I would like to read more after finishing this book. If you have any recommendations please feel free to post a comment, thanks.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that as humans, we all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. There is a desire to positively impact the lives of others. But most of the time, distractions or excuses are our demise. It is no surprise that the premise of this story intrigued me from the start. An impoverished rubbish scavenger saving the lives of abandoned baby girls grabbed at my heart immediately. The story begins with intense drama as we meet our main character, Benfu. I found myself reading with bated breath to find out what happens next in this tale. Maybe I felt it on such a deep level because I identified with Benfu's heart. maybe it is because my own daughter was found alone and discarded in a box. Or maybe I wondered if all of my money and comforts were gone...would my heart be THAT pure. The details are so carefully woven that I became invested right way. Character development is strong. The author, Kay Bratt, made me identify with people whose shoes I have never walked in. I don't want to spoil the book for you, so I will leave my review at this: PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! It will inspire your heart and engage your mind.
As a small disclaimer, I have read other work by Kay Bratt. I am a fan of her raw honesty and respect for Chinese culture. It isn't easy to point out the social and cultural issues of a Country but maintain reverence for the Country as well.
The official word is this:*ARC courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.
But, the reality is: I begged her to let me read it early because I couldn't wait for the release. Now I'm hooked and can't wait for the next two books of the trilogy.
Happy Reading, friends!

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give it no more than 2 stars. I am Chinese growing in China and now live in USA. I have two adopted Chinese daughters. I found these so many western influence from the author on her interpretation of Chinese history and culture. For examples, we don't have initials on our name, we don't cross our fingers for luck, we don't hug each other, congee doesn't take a minute but hours to cook.... I can name tons of these "distractions". The plot of the story is also so westernized. Foster home is also a concept introduced by westerners to China. One of my daughters was taken care of in an orphanage. She was loved and cared so well that she did not have any emotional or attachment issues. The other daughter was cared by foster families. She had very hard time and emotional issues to adjust. I just can't simply say orphanage is bad.
The author has good intention, but for some reason, I feel it is misleading on those who don't know the history and culture. Then I keep telling myself, this is a fiction after all.
I appreciate the fact that someone is writing about the orphans so I keep reading!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like The Brady Bunch and Full House, you'll love The Scavenger's Daughters!

Sigh. This book was corny. Very corny. And the characters didn't even seem Chinese. They spoke like Americans who took a one-semester Asian Studies course.

But you know what? I'm going to read the rest of the series. Why? Because, dammit, sometimes you just need to watch Full House and The Brady Bunch. Sometimes you just want a charming happy ending to seduce you into thinking the world's not such a bad place. In the end, that's what happened. The silly book charmed me.

Now onto Twisted Vines... :)

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Isn't Always A Matter of Birth

Kay Bratt never fails in her stories from China, and The Scavenger's Daughters is another success.

Chronicling the life of Zheng Benfu, it begins in 1967, during the Cultural Revolution, and ends some 43 years later. It is the story of war, and loss, and deep deprivation, and love. But mostly of love: the love of two people for each other and dozens of throwaway little girls.

Read it. You'll be happy you did.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartbreakingly realistic look at the life of the poor in China. Benfu is a scavenger, each day gathering paper and plastic to sell so that he and his small family can live. He also looks for children who have been abandoned and has six daughters that he and his wife Calla are raising. Each daughter is special in her own way, but the title character seems to be Linnea, the one who falls in love with the son of a rich government official. Benfu has nothing but disdain for anyone associated with the government because of his past dealings with them. This book had me cheering, crying and cheering through tears. It was a wonderful and educational read! I found out a lot about how Mao changed China with his dictatorial policies and how Benfu and Calla managed to survive. An inanimate character in the book was a violin, something so important that it took a central role for the family. There was not one page of this book that I did not thoroughly enjoy and when it ended, I was so glad to download the next book in the series. I was captivated by the story of Benfu, Calla, the missing Dahlia and the talented Linnea. My favorite was Jasmine who communicated without speaking, much like our autistic granddaughter. There was so much to like about this story and nothing, not one thing, to dislike. The plot rolled out smoothly and the character development was masterful. Fans of fiction that tell a romantic and realistic tale will enjoy this book for sure!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I won a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: China; 1967 & 2010.
Having escaped from a commune as a teenager, Benfu is now living a settled life with his wife Calla Lily, making a living by collecting and sorting other people's trash to sell it on for recycling. But during his scavenging, Benfu has also regularly come across abandoned girl babies, which he and Calla have then raised, despite the strains on their household for space and food to feed the increasing number of mouths. Some of these daughters are now grown up and in relationships of their own but several still live at home, including one who is blind and one who is crippled by spina bifida.
Through all the struggling simply to make ends meet and keep food on the table, the family pull together and live in comparative harmony in a quite heart-warming story (interestingly loosely based on a true story) of a family battling on in the face of adversity - 8.5/10.

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read other Kay Bratt books, I put this one on my list and was not disappointed. A lovely story about human kindness and love. We follow Benfu in China where he undergoes terrible abuses because of the government. But alas he escapes, finds his true love and raises many daughters. While not his own, he has rescued them from their abandonment and did a great job.

The story shows that no matter how poor you are, there are more important things in life. Looking forward to reading more tales about the Scavenger's Daughters. #fourstars #kindleunlimited

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent! Had me hooked from the start. It’s sad the reality of things even in modern times. But the end is worth it. I’m excited to read the others in this series.

[Lucynelsonloveslife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could give this book a 3.5 as it was enjoyable, easy to read and interesting. BUT, the writing is simple and there is a lot of repetition in explaining themes etc. Still it was a nice,quick read. Maybe it’s more like a young adult novel. I will read the next book in the series and see where it goes.

[Donna LaValley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books about China have always interested me. Amy Tan's books are superior as is Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, but there is also: Rock, Paper, Tiger, Til Morning Comes (the first one I read, decades ago), Waiting, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and others, all of which present lives in China with attendant historical detail.

I thought I was reading a book written for Chinese children, grades 4 - 7, and was surprised to see it was written by an American woman who spent 5 years in China. There was something about the didactic intent, and also the simplistic characters and roles, plus the history repeated several times about Mao's programs and why the Cultural Revolution failed. I even thought I found small errors of translation in the conversations! I suppose I simply found the style stilted.

Benfu, son of 2 teachers, is sent for re-education on a commune, and when he voices opinions contrary to the party line, is beaten, starved and tortured. After escaping he meets his future wife and their lives unfold. As a scavenger looking in the alleys where refuse is found, he uncovers abandoned baby girls. He brings them home and over the years has given them hope and love. Some were born with disabilities. He works very hard and they are always poor. The story begins to follow the current oldest daughter and a cross-class romance. On two levels the differences between old traditions and modern thinking are found, and clash. Eventually, proud Benfu learns to accept help.

The ending is sweet and meant to be a tear-jerker, but I was frankly tired of the moralistic, simplistic aspects of the book. The story has a wonderful premise (it's supposed to be based on real people) but there is not enough with it. Benfu and his wife are practically saints. Everything is predictable. Each child is distinctively different, and is humble and sweet in her way except Peony. The story threads of Peony and Dahlia were left dangling and I suspect they were left open when the author decided to create a trilogy- she would pick up those stories later.

I recommend it for readers who haven't read novels taking place in China before, and for younger readers. I would read the next 2 books only if they came my way without much effort. Guess I'm just not "keen" on this one!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating and touching novel! This is the first in a series of books set in China. Benfu, the titular scavenger, has been scarred by his treatment at the hands of the government both during and after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. But he has enriched his life by his devotion to caring for the abandoned female children that he has found amidst the trash. Over the years, he has and his beloved wife have raised over two dozen foundlings - naming each after a flower. Though they barely have enough money to scrape by, Benfu still gives assistance - financial and otherwise - to everyone that he can. It is a sweet book, filled with likable characters that tug at your heartstrings. Here, the focus is largely on Benfu himself along with his seventeen-year-old daughter who has started to find love.

Bratt also incorporates a lot of historical and cultural information into the storyline. This gives the book an educational feeling without it being bogged down by an overload of facts. Bratt also balances out the tear-jerking scenes well - keep the tissues handy, but not for every page. The book has its sadness, and hardships, but there remains a steady vein of hope and love. I am definitely curious about the sequel, Tangled Vines. I am not sure if the series will shift its focus to a different daughter, or if it will pick up where this one ended. Either way, I am happy that there will be more to the story!

[Leah Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benfu lives a simple life, scrapping together a living by collecting garbage. He has little money, but his wealth lies in something much more precious. Over the years, he has carefully searched through the streets and allies to find children abandoned by their parents. These are his daughters, abandoned either because of disabilities or simply because they are girls. Benfu has endured much suffering and sorrow, but his flower garden of daughters brings him joy. Yet Benfu is growing old. His failing body makes him question how much longer he can provide for his family. What will his daughters do without him?

After reading Silent Tears I couldn't resist purchasing the first of Kay Bratt's fiction series. It did not disappoint. While some snatch you into a into a turbulent, white knuckled ride over rapids, this book is more comparable to a calm canoe ride on a more peaceful river. The current pulls you alone sure and steady. There is a romantic story thread between one of Benfu's daughter and a young man, and at least one blush-inducing moment along with it. Besides that I have no complaints. Anyone who likes stories of compassion, determination, and integrity will enjoy this tale. It won't be long before I lose myself in book two.

[Jo Reason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kay Bratt specializes in novels of China, this gives me a small insight on a country I would love to visit but so far haven´t got around to it. This is an emotional book, with nothing going on really, but at the same time there is loads and loads going on, the detail in the writing are superb, you can feel what is going on around you, you can smell it also, (and some of the smells aren´t so nice). The characters are just lovable and their background are revealed bit by bit, just enough to keep you wanting to read more. There is a main focus on the Benfu and Calla who are the Grandma and Grandpa of all the children.
There are plenty of morals here and you will probably learn a little about yourself and your own morals as you read on.


There is an author´s note at the end and it is inspired on a true story. A fast read, part of a trilogy.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend of mine recommended this book to me because I love books about China and their history. I wanted to like this book. I tried to like this book. I tried to keep an open mind because it was "based" on a true story. Unfortunately, I don't think it was anything like the true story. My problem with this book was that even though the main character and his family were poor and suffered many deprivations, they seemed to have no emotional scars. I had a hard time relating to them. I don't think I could read any more in the series. The idea behind the book was great, it could have been wonderful if only written without so many problems conveniently solved.

[NancyL Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the Cultural Revolution, small and infant girls were often abandoned because of sickness, physical challenges, or just because they are girls. Benfu, who makes his living scavenging landfills, finds these girls and brings them home to be loved and raised. The girls are given flower names and are thought of as a flower garden by Benfu and his wife.
Because of experiences in Benfu's youth, caused by a corrupt government, he is too proud to ask later for the help he should receive from government officials for taking the girls on. This book is based on a true story.

[Debbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am learning a lot about the poor in China and how the hierarchy fell out after the cultural revolution. The author weaves it all into the story very effectively. This very devoted couple finds abandoned children, I should say female children as males are never abandoned, and they raise them as their own even though they are the poorest of the poor. There are 4 books in the series. The author states that this really goes on in China where scavengers take abandoned girls home and raise them. She writes to bring attention to their plight.

[Liz Busby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to say about this book. I enjoyed listening to it, but it was very strange for a book about people in such a sad situation to have nothing bad really happen over the course of the whole book. Basically, it's a story of how a good poor man got what he deserved. Because nothing bad happens, the plot is kind of lacking. Also, pretty sure this is a history lesson pretending to be a story. Still. As history lessons go, it's pretty enjoyable. As stories go, I'd pick something worth more action.

[Kelsi H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mao's cultural revolution is an interesting backdrop for this story. I recently read the prequel to this series, which explains how Benfu finds his wife and begins a new life after captivity at one of Mao's work camps. It is a touching story of love, especially in the way that Benfu and Calli bring the abandoned girls into their home and hearts. My only complaint is that I think this novel would be more suited for a young adult audience, as the language especially often seems simplistic, as is the basic treatment of complex themes.