Play Book Tag discussion

Lucy and Sam are siblings who have been raised on the chase for gold in the hills of California at the end of the gold rush. Life is difficult but made more difficult by being of Chinese descent and the brunt of prejudices and entitled violence. When their father dies, they find themselves on the run after a failed attempt to get two silver dollars for a proper burial. While I expected the book to be focused on this physical journey in the hills, it was more of a personal journey for identity for Lucy, Sam and their parents. Lucy quests for learning. Sam quests to be seen on the outside as she feels she is. Both struggle to find a place to be accepted as they are and to call home.

I enjoyed the symbolism and slight magic throughout the story with mysterious tiger, the Chinese legends as well as the history of being Chinese in California at the time of the gold rush. However, the organization of the story didn't flow well for me. It seemed a bit disjointed and unfinished. The characters and premise were a great start but needed a bit more smoothing of the transitions and story.

Same! I was wondering if it was just me or my mood, but the structure and pacing didn't work for me. Started out real strong though, and I liked the premise and characters. I thought Sam was especially strong.

Sam was a fascinating character and I wanted more. The structure was odd. It may have been that I thought that there would be more to Sam and Lucy's journey but then it just moved to back story in a somewhat odd way.

Yeah, we started the book at the beginning of their journey then went into the past and stayed there the entire middle of the book then bac to present... it was jarring.

Last year I blamed it on myself and the times, but seeing as both of your reactions is the same as mine makes me wonder.

I had trouble with the structure and pacing as well. I remember thinking "Does every book one reads have to jump around so much in time. Can't we just read a book chronologically sometimes?"

I think the problem was there was no purpose to the jumping. It didn't add anything to the story in present tense or add any suspense which is usually when that device works best IMO.