Debut novelist Melissa Fu draws on her family's history to create a captivating story of immigration, family secrets and deep love ... Fu writes sensitively about the concerns of multiple generations of immigrant families: the daily needs of survival during traumatic times, the fierce determination to protect one's children and give them better opportunities, the difficulties of sharing a family history that includes so much pain ... Fu's thoughtful third-person narration gives readers a sense of all three characters' perspectives, as well as a slice of modern Chinese history. Richly described, with deeply compassionate protagonists, Peach Blossom Spring is a haunting tribute to immigrant families and a gorgeous meditation on how stories can shape identity.
... accomplished ... documents Henry’s diligent attempts to put down roots in New Mexico, but its strength lies in its portrayal of the many places — Changsha, Chongqing, Shanghai and points in between — where his mother, Meilin, sought refuge with her only child, known then as Renshu.
... a beautiful debut novel that focuses on one man’s attempt to forget where he has come from and his daughter’s insistence on understanding it ... Melissa Fu ponders the questions of home in this forceful and compelling family generational saga ... told in a simple and deliberate tone, which truly allows us to see the humanity in each character’s story and relate to it. Fu’s words are often infused with a poetic grace that belies the strength of her characters, their convictions and their attempts to overcome the obstacles in their way. They are all striving to create a place for themselves in the world. May this book open us to thoughts of compassion and love for those who are currently running for their lives and looking for refuge around the world.
Fu’s heartfelt debut is captivating as she examines the traumas of war and the sacrifices survivors feel forced to make for a brighter future. Following three generations of one family, readers will be moved by Fu’s sincere and tender prose and the struggles her characters face in looking for a safe place to call home.
... poignant ... Fu spends the first half of the novel ping-ponging between mother and son, shuttling them through 20 years of tragic struggle. As their stories diverge, the author devotes long sections to each protagonist, slowing the frenetic pace to focus more on character development, which yields a stronger second half. The result is an affecting if somewhat scattershot tale of love, loss, estrangement, and heritage.
Meilin is written with tremendous appeal. She emerges as a hero, resourceful and clever, personable enough to make friends, smart enough to recognize danger, and capable of making a home, no matter the scarcity. The novel does a good job examining her ongoing relationship with Longwei, which grows increasingly complex over the course of the story. The author effectively transmits the chaos and dislocation of war, from losses that will never heal to chance encounters that save lives ... It is a weakness that the plot moves so fast, causing action to take precedence over suspense and nuance. The author plumbs the immigrant experience, illuminating a key slice of Chinese history from Japan’s invasion to Mao’s rise.
