I picked this book up by complete accident at the airport,
with no prior knowledge to it’s reputation or story (tho one can easily guess its direction by the title alone!)

Really enjoyed this one,
especially the first half of the book.
It tells the story of a mother’s treacherous life, followed by her daughter’s,
and is told with beautiful lyrical sensitivity.

At one point Clem caught me crying while reading it on the bed,
and i was actually tearing with happiness!

There are also many Chinese customs and quotes inserted in the story,
so i got to learn more about my own roots.
Like how in the 1900s, women were to serve men – as concubines, slaves and prostitutes. *feminist emotions bubbling*
And the utterly gross things Chinese people eat (which is, everything!).

Here’s a favourite quote from the book which i’d like to share:

Gold can be found everywhere if you look for it… sprinkled by sunlight on clear water… in the evening sky and the coming of each new dawn. It falls like scattered coins on the forest floor and gilds the leaf of every tree; glitters on every blade of grass after the rain and turns each dewdrop into a precious jewel. You will find gold in kindness; it can be found in the seeking of happiness and in helping others. Try to find your fortune among these things, collect what you can of this real gold, and one day you will be quan-jin.

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