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Spring Moon
Details the saga of five generations of a Mandarin family in China, ranging from the turbulent changes of the late nineteenth century to the 1970s
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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4369 people want to read
About the author
Bette Bao Lord
15 books54 followersBette Bao Lord is a Chinese American writer and civic activist for human rights and democracy.
With her mother and father, Dora and Sandys Bao, she came to the United States at the age of eight when her father, a British-trained engineer, was sent there in 1946 by the Chinese government to purchase equipment. In 1949 Bette Bao Lord and her family were stranded in the United States when Mao Zedong and his communist rebels won the civil war in China. Bette Bao Lord has written eloquently about her childhood experiences as a Chinese immigrant in the post-World War II United States in her autobiographical children's book In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. In this book she describes her efforts to learn English and to become accepted by her classmates and how she succeeds with the help of baseball and Jackie Robinson.
Bette Bao Lord is a distinguished international best-selling novelist and writer, and served as chair of the Board of Trustees of Freedom House.
Her second novel, Spring Moon (1981), set in pre-revolutionary China, was an international bestseller and American Book Award nominee for best first novel. The Middle Heart (1996) spans 70 years of modern Chinese history, ending in 1989 with the student-led demonstrations at Tiananmen Square. Her children's book, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, has become a classic used in schools nationwide. Her true stories of Chinese people, Legacies: A Chinese Mosaic, was also a bestseller and chosen by Time Magazine as one of the five best non-fiction works of the year. Ms. Lord's works have received numerous awards and been translated into 15-20 languages.
In addition to chairing Freedom House, Ms. Lord has served on many other boards including the Newseum, The Freedom Forum, the International Broadcasting Board of Governors, the Council on Foreign Relations and WNET.
Bette Bao Lord received an MA from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and her BA from Tufts University. She married Winston Lord, later an Ambassador to China, in 1963, and they have a daughter, Elizabeth Pillsbury, and son, Winston Bao.
Bette Bao Lord is a recipient of seven honorary degrees (including Notre Dame, Tufts, and Pepperdine) and many awards as author, democracy advocate and outstanding immigrant. These include the USIA Award for Outstanding Contributions. President Clinton in 1998 presented her the first Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights and hailed her as "someone who writes so powerfully about the past and is working so effectively to shape the future."
(Source: Wikipedia)
With her mother and father, Dora and Sandys Bao, she came to the United States at the age of eight when her father, a British-trained engineer, was sent there in 1946 by the Chinese government to purchase equipment. In 1949 Bette Bao Lord and her family were stranded in the United States when Mao Zedong and his communist rebels won the civil war in China. Bette Bao Lord has written eloquently about her childhood experiences as a Chinese immigrant in the post-World War II United States in her autobiographical children's book In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. In this book she describes her efforts to learn English and to become accepted by her classmates and how she succeeds with the help of baseball and Jackie Robinson.
Bette Bao Lord is a distinguished international best-selling novelist and writer, and served as chair of the Board of Trustees of Freedom House.
Her second novel, Spring Moon (1981), set in pre-revolutionary China, was an international bestseller and American Book Award nominee for best first novel. The Middle Heart (1996) spans 70 years of modern Chinese history, ending in 1989 with the student-led demonstrations at Tiananmen Square. Her children's book, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, has become a classic used in schools nationwide. Her true stories of Chinese people, Legacies: A Chinese Mosaic, was also a bestseller and chosen by Time Magazine as one of the five best non-fiction works of the year. Ms. Lord's works have received numerous awards and been translated into 15-20 languages.
In addition to chairing Freedom House, Ms. Lord has served on many other boards including the Newseum, The Freedom Forum, the International Broadcasting Board of Governors, the Council on Foreign Relations and WNET.
Bette Bao Lord received an MA from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and her BA from Tufts University. She married Winston Lord, later an Ambassador to China, in 1963, and they have a daughter, Elizabeth Pillsbury, and son, Winston Bao.
Bette Bao Lord is a recipient of seven honorary degrees (including Notre Dame, Tufts, and Pepperdine) and many awards as author, democracy advocate and outstanding immigrant. These include the USIA Award for Outstanding Contributions. President Clinton in 1998 presented her the first Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights and hailed her as "someone who writes so powerfully about the past and is working so effectively to shape the future."
(Source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
June 17, 2011
I've recently read three novels set in China from a list of recommended historical fiction: Min's Empress Orchid, See's Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and Bao's Spring Moon. All three are written by Chinese-American women about female Chinese protagonists born in the late Ch'ing Manchu Dynasty--the times of the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion and in the case of this novel, Spring Moon, taking us to the ending of that dynasty to the Communist Revolution. The three books paint a rather consistent portrait of Chinese culture and society in late Imperial China. One in which women lead very circumscribed lives, where ancestors and parents are revered and the status of a woman depends entirely on bearing sons. All three books deal with the disruption to a 4,000 year culture by Western forces and the changes that brings.
However, although this book like the others is centered on a female perspective, it also has strong, sympathetic male characters such as Bold Talent--something I found lacking in the other two books, which is one reason I found this my favorite among the three. Another reason I think I liked this one more was that it was less predictable since Min's novel followed famous historical figures and See's novel was framed as the story of an old woman looking back. Bao's tale is the story of a woman her family and clan spanning five generations, told fairly conventionally, but less intimate somehow than the others, with a more ambitious historical sweep. I liked how each chapter was headed with an appropriate tale of Chinese lore, myth, saying, or bit of history. The epilogue, which dealt with the Cultural Revolution, was heart-breaking.
Not quite a book I'd consider a standout, that I'd keep on my shelf or highly recommend to friends or gift them with, but I certainly liked the heroine Spring Moon and found myself engrossed by her story and the picture of Chinese history and culture.
However, although this book like the others is centered on a female perspective, it also has strong, sympathetic male characters such as Bold Talent--something I found lacking in the other two books, which is one reason I found this my favorite among the three. Another reason I think I liked this one more was that it was less predictable since Min's novel followed famous historical figures and See's novel was framed as the story of an old woman looking back. Bao's tale is the story of a woman her family and clan spanning five generations, told fairly conventionally, but less intimate somehow than the others, with a more ambitious historical sweep. I liked how each chapter was headed with an appropriate tale of Chinese lore, myth, saying, or bit of history. The epilogue, which dealt with the Cultural Revolution, was heart-breaking.
Not quite a book I'd consider a standout, that I'd keep on my shelf or highly recommend to friends or gift them with, but I certainly liked the heroine Spring Moon and found myself engrossed by her story and the picture of Chinese history and culture.
July 22, 2012
Spring Moon was a powerful book. It has been almost a decade since I read it and some passages I have never forgotten. The book follows the life of a young girl who is born into a wealthy family in Imperialist China and has her feet bound and ends with her life under the communists when she is an old lady. There is drama and heartache and rare moments of happiness. There are difficult decisions that must be lived with. I learned quite a bit about China reading this book and have never forgotten this novel.
February 7, 2017
Spring Moon is a novel about the history of China and Chinese cultural revolution from an empire to a communist state.
Spring Moon is a novel about the house of Chang in Soochow and the house of Woo,in Peking.
Spring Moon is a novel about a young girl called Spring Moon and the house of Chang.
Apart from the difficulties I had with some of the names like 'Bold Talent',Noble Promise Fragrant Snow, Lotus Delight, Glad Promise and the initial confusion I had about the Chinese hour,day and year like 'the hour of the cock',the year of the dog,the year of the monkey, the year of the tiger,the year of the snake,the book is an interesting read and I give 3star.
Spring Moon is a novel about the house of Chang in Soochow and the house of Woo,in Peking.
Spring Moon is a novel about a young girl called Spring Moon and the house of Chang.
Apart from the difficulties I had with some of the names like 'Bold Talent',Noble Promise Fragrant Snow, Lotus Delight, Glad Promise and the initial confusion I had about the Chinese hour,day and year like 'the hour of the cock',the year of the dog,the year of the monkey, the year of the tiger,the year of the snake,the book is an interesting read and I give 3star.
December 13, 2008
This book was required reading in my 10th grade combined studies (English/History) class (though it could have been 11th or 12th grade--don't remember for sure). What's really wild about this book is that, 20 years after I read it, when someone asked me about historical fiction, it's one of the first titles that popped into my head. For someone interested in finding out more about growing up in another culture in another time, or in Chinese history or women's history--this book has it all.
July 18, 2021
The story of Spring Moon and her family begins in 1892 and runs to 1973, but for the most part ends in 1935. It gives a good description of life in China for both the gentry and the peasants under the changing forms of government that China went through. How the ancients traditions slowly disappeared as both the Republic followed by the Communists took over.
Some noted thoughts:
"Our ancestors, who gave us life, deny you and me a life together. We who have no rightful place with one another must yield. There is no other way". Does tradition always have to trump personal desire?
"I think sometimes the world has gone mad. But then I know it cannot be so. It is only that we are destined to repay old debts." I think that this is true. We do something wrong and eventually we have to pay the cost for it. That's the way it seems to me.
Some noted thoughts:
"Our ancestors, who gave us life, deny you and me a life together. We who have no rightful place with one another must yield. There is no other way". Does tradition always have to trump personal desire?
"I think sometimes the world has gone mad. But then I know it cannot be so. It is only that we are destined to repay old debts." I think that this is true. We do something wrong and eventually we have to pay the cost for it. That's the way it seems to me.
May 3, 2014
A promising novel that tells the story of the House of Chang from the 1890's till the early 70's but that doesn't seem to fulfill its promise. It seems that Bette Lord tried too hard to fit this family's life into the history of China and although all the incidents are interesting, they don't seem to develop as deeply as I had expected them to. She wanted each of her characters to play an important role in the shaping of China's history but it didn't all ring true - it seemed somewhat contrived and idealised. Despite this, I enjoyed reading this saga and I really liked the descriptions of the old traditional China. The author beautifully celebrates the traditional Chinese past, particularly the importance of family ties and the grace of the rituals that tied one generation to the next.
February 12, 2023
Il racconto perduto di un mondo antico, e di una donna coraggiosa che sopravvive alle tragedia della storia
June 6, 2023
I read this when it first came out in paperback but since that's more than 30 years ago, I can be forgiven for not remembering all the details, I think. I think I was speedreading at the time and might have liked this more if I'd been over 30, or female, as I wasn't much into the usual story of Chinese women suffering from customs, then a change in the regime. These books have become quite common by now and so we're more familiar with the story; on top of that, it's also ME that is now more familiar with the history, customs and individual suffering of the Chinese mid-20th century. I might like it more now but I read it then, and liked it, so three stars seems only a fair compromise.
August 7, 2012
Rating Clarification 4-1/2 stars.
I remember this being a sweeping read, which left me with that feeling of having been on a grand journey. Starting in the late 19th century, the reader follows a pampered daughter of Imperial China, Spring Moon, through the sweeping changes of China in the 20th century, and those of her personal life, covering almost 100 years and multiple generations. Despite its big scope, it is the small things that left the biggest impressions.
I read the republished 2004 edition which contained a new introduction by the author. I've never read an introduction that complemented the book, intrigued the reader and was profound. It set up the read so well, I feel I need to recommend that one reads a 2004 or later edition. The character list and detailed layout of the 'House of Chang' were very helpful in keeping the names straight and following the characters movements. Also included is a dynastic chronology and a modern history chronology of China's historical events. I wish more historical fiction, especially those centered in different cultures took these measures for the reader.
Comparisons saying this is the Chinese Gone with the Wind, which I admit caught my attention, in my opinion are stretching things. Sure a reader can find some similarities, but that could be said of any book that has a strong heroine. Don't go into this expecting a Chinese Rhett and Scarlett. Clear those expectations out of your head immediately so you can enjoy the journey in front of you, instead of the one you've been lead to believe.
I remember this being a sweeping read, which left me with that feeling of having been on a grand journey. Starting in the late 19th century, the reader follows a pampered daughter of Imperial China, Spring Moon, through the sweeping changes of China in the 20th century, and those of her personal life, covering almost 100 years and multiple generations. Despite its big scope, it is the small things that left the biggest impressions.
I read the republished 2004 edition which contained a new introduction by the author. I've never read an introduction that complemented the book, intrigued the reader and was profound. It set up the read so well, I feel I need to recommend that one reads a 2004 or later edition. The character list and detailed layout of the 'House of Chang' were very helpful in keeping the names straight and following the characters movements. Also included is a dynastic chronology and a modern history chronology of China's historical events. I wish more historical fiction, especially those centered in different cultures took these measures for the reader.
Comparisons saying this is the Chinese Gone with the Wind, which I admit caught my attention, in my opinion are stretching things. Sure a reader can find some similarities, but that could be said of any book that has a strong heroine. Don't go into this expecting a Chinese Rhett and Scarlett. Clear those expectations out of your head immediately so you can enjoy the journey in front of you, instead of the one you've been lead to believe.
December 21, 2008
Another book on China in preparation for our trip there in about 3 weeks. Through reading fiction I am learning about the history of this country - although fictional, it is a little less dry than reading straight accounts of the history of China. I am also picking up information about the culture and beliefs strongly held in this country.
I thought this book would be about the character, Spring Moon whom we meet in the first chapter. The reader does indeed learn about her life but also follows the life of her uncles, daughter Lustrous Jade and son/brother Enduring Promise. I found the book interesting but skimmed a lot because it got a little too wordy at times. I also had a hard time keeping track of her uncles various names (Bold Talent, and Noble Talent)because they are so similar. I also would get confused by Spring Moon's son who is the result of an affair with her uncles. Enduring Promise is Spring Moon's "secret son" because no one in the family knows she actually gave birth to him, but since he was adopted by her mother-in-law on her death bed he is known as her brother - yes, a little confusing!
Overall, this book gave me insight into what life was like in the early 20th century in China. It was a very confusing and scary time in my opinion. There was much lawlessness, much fighting, and many deaths in order to bring change to this country. Because I have read other books about China I think I understood more than I would have otherwise. The author did not always explain the customs or beliefs but I was able to understand because I have learned about them through other books I have read.
I thought this book would be about the character, Spring Moon whom we meet in the first chapter. The reader does indeed learn about her life but also follows the life of her uncles, daughter Lustrous Jade and son/brother Enduring Promise. I found the book interesting but skimmed a lot because it got a little too wordy at times. I also had a hard time keeping track of her uncles various names (Bold Talent, and Noble Talent)because they are so similar. I also would get confused by Spring Moon's son who is the result of an affair with her uncles. Enduring Promise is Spring Moon's "secret son" because no one in the family knows she actually gave birth to him, but since he was adopted by her mother-in-law on her death bed he is known as her brother - yes, a little confusing!
Overall, this book gave me insight into what life was like in the early 20th century in China. It was a very confusing and scary time in my opinion. There was much lawlessness, much fighting, and many deaths in order to bring change to this country. Because I have read other books about China I think I understood more than I would have otherwise. The author did not always explain the customs or beliefs but I was able to understand because I have learned about them through other books I have read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2016
Stopped at page 131. Couldn't read any more. I thought it boring and badly written. So much chinese stories and even the main character is annoying ! Give me Pearl Buck and "Pavilion of women" any day !
Je n'ai pas dépassé la page 131, je m'ennuyais trop. J'ai lu de très bonnes histoires situées en Chine, l'auteur est très loin d'y arriver. Le fait que le personnage principal soit antipathique... Je préfère de loin Pearl Buck et "Pavillon de femmes".
Je n'ai pas dépassé la page 131, je m'ennuyais trop. J'ai lu de très bonnes histoires situées en Chine, l'auteur est très loin d'y arriver. Le fait que le personnage principal soit antipathique... Je préfère de loin Pearl Buck et "Pavillon de femmes".
October 9, 2022
This was a really enjoyable page turner about a clan in China, spanning five generations in the 20th century. If you’re a fan of Jung Chan’s Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China or Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, you’ll love this. When Spring Moon is a child, the whole clan lives together in one compound, the courtyards, in a very traditional society. Everyone bows to Spring Moon’s grandfather the Patriarch, but he is old and ailing so his wife, the Matriarch, rules the family. Spring Moon is lucky because her uncle Bold Talent takes her under his wing and teaches her to read, write and study. Throughout her lifetime, the country changes considerably and this also affects the family as it transitions from an empire with parts of it colonised by Germany and Britain, then the Japanese. Eventually, Communist students are fighting in the revolution and the family is obviously seriously affected by this on many levels. In the outside world, many things change, but in the clan’s courtyard, life continues much as before for many years. All this is incorporated into the family’s story without being heavy-handed.
Extras include a handy list of Chinese historical highlights at the end, a list of characters at the start and an annotated illustration of the courtyards in the middle of the book. The list of names is definitely useful because it’s sometimes difficult to remember who’s who. Spring Moon’s uncles, for instance, are Bold Talent, Noble Talent and Sterling Talent.
Extras include a handy list of Chinese historical highlights at the end, a list of characters at the start and an annotated illustration of the courtyards in the middle of the book. The list of names is definitely useful because it’s sometimes difficult to remember who’s who. Spring Moon’s uncles, for instance, are Bold Talent, Noble Talent and Sterling Talent.
June 20, 2023
I have read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson approximately one hundred times, and yet somehow, until I spotted this book in a little free library, it never occurred to me that Lord might have written anything else.
I don't know that it's fair to call this book obscure; apparently it's still sometimes assigned as high school or undergrad reading. But I do understand why it's no longer read popularly as entertainment. Lord's grasp of character is as powerful as ever when she chooses to focus on it, but this book is awkwardly chopped into vignettes separated by didactic recitations of modern Chinese history. This is a book written for Americans who know nothing of China. Perhaps that was standard in 1981; in 2023, I am impatient to get back to the story. I am very far from a China expert, but I don't need who Mao is explained to me. (I am a little fascinated that the one episode of Chinese history that really gets no glossing here is WWII; is that because it's too distressing to write about, or because Lord assumes Americans do know about the Japanese invasion?)
Also, the primary romantic pairing is an incestuous one, which is . . . well, which makes this probably not exactly appropriate for the same audience as in the Year of the Boar. I found it difficult reading myself.
But I'm glad I read the book, and I stayed up entirely too late last night finishing it.
I don't know that it's fair to call this book obscure; apparently it's still sometimes assigned as high school or undergrad reading. But I do understand why it's no longer read popularly as entertainment. Lord's grasp of character is as powerful as ever when she chooses to focus on it, but this book is awkwardly chopped into vignettes separated by didactic recitations of modern Chinese history. This is a book written for Americans who know nothing of China. Perhaps that was standard in 1981; in 2023, I am impatient to get back to the story. I am very far from a China expert, but I don't need who Mao is explained to me. (I am a little fascinated that the one episode of Chinese history that really gets no glossing here is WWII; is that because it's too distressing to write about, or because Lord assumes Americans do know about the Japanese invasion?)
Also, the primary romantic pairing is an incestuous one, which is . . . well, which makes this probably not exactly appropriate for the same audience as in the Year of the Boar. I found it difficult reading myself.
But I'm glad I read the book, and I stayed up entirely too late last night finishing it.
May 23, 2024
It’s not a bad book. But I struggle with the period of time and the loss of old traditions. I also didn’t really know what to expect, but it wasn’t that. I felt the nostalgia Spring Moon has for her past life which definitely shows that the author is able to convey emotions in her writing.
July 10, 2022
I know I am reading good historical fiction when I find myself googling topics like the Boxer Revolution and Golden Lillies. I became so attached to the main character and found myself tearing up in the final pages. Spring Moon also made me want to read more about Chinese history
June 6, 2021
I must confess I know little of Chinese culture today not to mention what it was in early 20th century. Maybe that is one of the reasons why I found this novel so interesting. The significance of family, history, tradition and honor carry the storyline beautifully through decades of great societal and personal change and danger. I liked Spring Moon - the way she bent where it was beneficial to her and had her own way when it meant the most. This was not your usual family drama, told romantically with the leading lady's voice. Each character added depth and touched my heart in one way or another. The only thing I missed was maybe just a little more history details to help the reader understand the connections and significance of the turmoils the family went through.
November 15, 2021
3.5 stars. This book was fascinating due to how much it really taught me. I realized as I was reading it that I knew embarrassingly little about the history of China, and the story of Spring Moon highlighted many of the complexities of China's history that I was unaware of. It was really interesting to follow her story and to see how drastically China changed in just one character's lifetime. A few points of the book were rather slow, especially the chapters that went into great detail on politics, but I found the story as a whole very intriguing and eye-opening.
October 10, 2015
HAving studied modern Chinese history, I recognized a lot of the events, struggles, and themes in this book. China had a heck of a time modernizing... and actually it never really got that much better, what with the cultural revolution and all. However, I feel like anyone teen and above could pick up this book and comfortably settle into what was going on- it's not one of those that you need to know what was happening at the time before you can start reading.
"Spring Moon" tells the story of Spring Moon, from her childhood to her old age, as she witnesses the radical changes that China went through from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. She lives a traditional life, born into a well-to-do family, living only within the walls of their courtyards, but outside of those walls the world is changing, and even those most entrenched in tradition will be touched. Without giving anything away, Spring Moon witnesses or is affected by all the great upheavals of this time period, loving and losing, traveling across the country, protecting her family and clan at all costs. Hers is a quiet, quintessentially Chinese struggle of quiet yielding and fortitude in the face of inevitable change, and it is admirable how she manages to hold on to tradition and her own identity while still moving with the changes when needed.
The book is full of interesting characters, all connected to Spring Moon either as relatives or servants. Although I liked her family, I found them a little frustrating after a while... I kind of enjoyed the servants more, as they were basically part of her family and unlike her family were able to accompany her in many situations and help her when they could not.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying or would like to learn more about Chinese history; although this kind of skips through the Cultural Revolution, it gives a pretty good picture of things in the 1890s up to the end of the Empire in 1911. (After that point, the story definitely discusses what's going on, but in less detail- Spring Moon is more occupied with her family.)
"Spring Moon" tells the story of Spring Moon, from her childhood to her old age, as she witnesses the radical changes that China went through from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. She lives a traditional life, born into a well-to-do family, living only within the walls of their courtyards, but outside of those walls the world is changing, and even those most entrenched in tradition will be touched. Without giving anything away, Spring Moon witnesses or is affected by all the great upheavals of this time period, loving and losing, traveling across the country, protecting her family and clan at all costs. Hers is a quiet, quintessentially Chinese struggle of quiet yielding and fortitude in the face of inevitable change, and it is admirable how she manages to hold on to tradition and her own identity while still moving with the changes when needed.
The book is full of interesting characters, all connected to Spring Moon either as relatives or servants. Although I liked her family, I found them a little frustrating after a while... I kind of enjoyed the servants more, as they were basically part of her family and unlike her family were able to accompany her in many situations and help her when they could not.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying or would like to learn more about Chinese history; although this kind of skips through the Cultural Revolution, it gives a pretty good picture of things in the 1890s up to the end of the Empire in 1911. (After that point, the story definitely discusses what's going on, but in less detail- Spring Moon is more occupied with her family.)
September 30, 2014
When I told my wife I was giving up on Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, she looked at the cover and asked me why I even started reading it. Looking back, I think I was vaguely remembering another novel I'd read as a teenager, and thanks to Amazon, two days later I had that very same novel in my hands. Spring Moon is everything Snow Flower isn't - authentic, readable, gripping, full of real characters I found myself rooting for.
The book follows our heroine from her childhood through her life as China itself transitions from the last days of the Manchus to the early republic period and eventually up to the present day, with most of the book's focus on Spring Moon herself, until the spotlight shifts to her outspoken christian daughter at the end of the book. Through it all, there's never a dull moment, and I found the mother/daughter relationship between Spring Moon and her child much more real and fleshed out than the malfunctioning robots from Snow Flower. In short, I brought everything this book was selling; highly recommended.
The book follows our heroine from her childhood through her life as China itself transitions from the last days of the Manchus to the early republic period and eventually up to the present day, with most of the book's focus on Spring Moon herself, until the spotlight shifts to her outspoken christian daughter at the end of the book. Through it all, there's never a dull moment, and I found the mother/daughter relationship between Spring Moon and her child much more real and fleshed out than the malfunctioning robots from Snow Flower. In short, I brought everything this book was selling; highly recommended.
August 29, 2007
I enjoyed the first part of this book very much. From the title, I assumed the main character would be Spring Moon and that the story would be told from her point of view. I read somewhere that it's been compared to
Gone With The Wind
but I have to disagree--except to say that it concerns a family torn apart by civil war. Other characters were introduced into the story and subsequent chapters would go between Spring Moon's point of view and some of the others. I found it distracting, particularly after Spring Moon returned home after the death of her husband. The illicit romance between Spring Moon and her uncle didn't really ring true to me and I thought it detracted from the story. Otherwise, I enjoy historical fiction and particularly learning about events in history occuring in other countries--in this case, China.
September 16, 2023
Someone else on Good Reads who read this book said that it is a borderline romance novel, but she still throughly enjoyed it. I have to agree. It does have substance, however, as a work of historical fiction. In the late 1800s many people in China were struggling with the introduction of foreign ideas into China. It is the beginning of a divide that will have much greater implications. Through this novel we see this unfold in the lives of three generations of a wealthy family. I think it is loosely based on the history of the author's family.
March 6, 2018
The Boxer Rebellion from the Chinese perspective is a completely new history.
Traditional culture was rigid, but it worked. Change came. It worked somewhat. Through it all, Spring Moon survives, thrives, always in control of her self. She was pampered, raised in seclusion, with slaves cum family retainers. I thought she turned out rather well for what she endured.
Very different from Scarlet. Scarlet could never have endured having golden lilies.
Traditional culture was rigid, but it worked. Change came. It worked somewhat. Through it all, Spring Moon survives, thrives, always in control of her self. She was pampered, raised in seclusion, with slaves cum family retainers. I thought she turned out rather well for what she endured.
Very different from Scarlet. Scarlet could never have endured having golden lilies.
November 7, 2013
I really enjoyed reading about the ups and downs of the Chang family dynasty as the years went through WWI, the Communist takeover and then the visit of Henry Kissinger and his entourage including one of the Chang family members. Spring Moon is the central character and she has a very interesting life. I have had this book since 1981 and finally got around to reading it. I'm sorry I waited so long!
August 9, 2019
A delicately crafted tale of generations, feminine strength, and the struggle for cultural identity. Particularly refreshing because, as an American, I lack a frame of reference for most of the events and personal dichotomies explored. Need more literature from Eastern perspectives!
It really is beautifully written, inspiring in its explorations of identity and revolution. This is a book that I suspect I'll be coming back to time and time again.
It really is beautifully written, inspiring in its explorations of identity and revolution. This is a book that I suspect I'll be coming back to time and time again.
April 11, 2020
I read this book the first time when i was in the 1st year of high school, did not quite understand it but it left me with a feeling of reading a great book and that when i was older i need to reread it in order to truly understand it. It was a great story of a family, of love but not only it was a story of China.Now i finally found time to return to it and reread it. It's a wonderful book to truly understand the power of family, history, and love.
February 1, 2008
I read this a long, long time ago and still remember it as a wonderful true story. Bette Bao Lord is China-born and ended up marrying an American diplomat and moving back to China (I hope I've got it right...) and this is her very well told story.
Again, I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in China.
Again, I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in China.
July 28, 2007
I learned a lot about China. Betty Bao Lord has an incredible way with words. The way she writes women is fantastic. Her women, while they are not what we generally believe to be strong, have enormous strength and inner spirit. I was in love with this story after the first page.
May 9, 2008
I loved this book which spans different generations of a family in China before, during and after the Maoist revolution. Very interesting background on the culture, especially as it pertained to women.
June 23, 2013
Something I was reading tonight reminded me of this book. I read it at least 20 or more years ago and remembered loving it. Much later, I read Amy Tan's " The Kitchen God's Wife" and "The Joy Luck Club". I loved all of these books; they are really excellent.
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February 20, 2011I have the 1983 edition by Sphere books. brought home to re-read sometime.
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