Play Book Tag discussion

Swimming Back to Trout River by Linda Rui Feng - 3* - My Review

Momo is born in the village of Trout River in rural China. He meets violinist Dawn at university, and she introduces him to classical music. After graduation, they are sent to work in different parts of the country and lose contact. Momo marries Cassia, a nurse, and they have a daughter, Junie, who is born without limbs below the knee. Momo attends graduate school in America and plans to bring Cassia and Junie to join him. Dawn also ends up in America.

Teenage Junie has been reared by her grandparents in Trout River does not want to leave. Cassia envisions a different future for herself. Momo, Dawn, and Cassia feel the impact of China’s Cultural Revolution. Dawn is denied the ability to become a professional violinist due to the crackdown on Western music. Momo and Cassia witness the purges, and each must sacrifice a dream due to their society’s transformation.

The storyline follows these four characters’ lives. The plot is thin. I do not think the couple’s story flowed very well, and their daughter seemed the most interesting but was shuffled to the side early on. Themes include healing from trauma and finding new beginnings. I liked it, but I have read other books about the Cultural Revolution that I enjoyed more.