What readers think of Daughters of Shandong, plus links to write your own review.

This is a story beautifully written. While it was painful to read, it held my interest completely and deeply touched my heart. While I knew in general that women had been valued less than men in China, the details in this story taught me so much about how women were openly considered less than men and also violently abused. I liked the way hope was shown through improvements in women's rights over time, just as in the United States. I was heartbroken though by the way some older Chinese women completely bought into the degradation of their own daughters and daughters-in-law.

It left me with questions about the United States and its relationship with China. Does having so many of our products made in China actually hurt or help women there? What are factory conditions and pay like for Chinese women? (Maybe the setting for another story?) So much to think about - brought tears to my eyes and definitely ranks as the most touching book that I have read this whole year.

I am a longtime avid reader and rarely find a book that I would rate 5-stars. This is one. Eve Chung has done a wonderful job of telling a historically based family story during the tumultuous events in China from the 1940s through 1960s. The extreme challenges of women, their resilience and fortitude are portrayed in a realistic way. Chung's writing is descriptive without being overly expansive. Daughters of Shandong was a real pleasure to read and I hope Chung continues to write.

If a book taking place during a war (communist revolution in China, 1948) can be called enjoyable, this is it. I say enjoyable based on the mother/daughter relationships, the three dimensional characters and the rising above the circumstances which almost made the reader forget the horrors in favor of the power of the storyline.

The thread of misogyny was prevalent throughout the novel. "Di looked me in the eye and said, 'All girls are disposable, and you know it.'" As much as the war raged between Nationalists and Communists, all females struggled with humiliation, punishment and wondering if she held any value at all.

Through tension, love and just plain stamina, the characters wrestled with traditional versus non traditional values, the old and the new. This book offered a lot of insight about how we escape (and, in some cases, don't escape) hard core beliefs.

I thoroughly enjoyed Eve J. Chung's writing and would highly recommend this novel.

Daughters of Shandong is now on the top of my list of historical fiction novels. The author transports the reader into the eye of Chinese history and shows the incredible strength and fortitude of women who refused to be oppressed so that their daughters could rise above the hardships of cultural and political challenges and injustice. I found the story fascinating, compelling and surprisingly easy to read, despite the intense and, at times, brutal subject matter(s).

What an amazing story about China from 1948 to 1960, a time when girls didn't matter in Chinese culture. The author, Eve J. Chung says this is fiction, yet there is so much about China's history that is true. I loved all the characters (well not Nai Nai though she represents the elders in Chinese society) and the geography associated with the families and friends. My heart went out to the girls, they were so resilient (maybe not so much with Di) and I could feel the mother's angst about taking care of her girls. Travelling from Zhucheng, Shandong to Qingdao, Shandong to Hong Kong to Taiwan was quite the adventure (or torture) but the will to succeed was quite apparent. So many great details about the times and places, I could not put this book down! I look forward to reading other books by Eve J. Chung and want to share this story with my teenage grand daughter.

This book Daughters of Shandong was a fascinating read. It is fiction and has a lot of action which is great as you are able to easily understand everything and the fast pace keeps you interested. The story is based on a Mom and her 3 daughters who are left to fend for themselves in Communist China. I had no idea how the takeover happened but I feel like now I understand more. The Character development was great also, and you felt you knew this family. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Thank you for the ARC.

A story of perseverance, determination, family support, and four women walking their way through the ups and downs of Chinese politics beginning in the 40s. The women are strong and determined albeit a somewhat dysfunctional family group of 4.

The reader joins the authors family's story during civil and political unrest during the Communist takeover in China 1948, but in rural Shandong, the wealthy, landowning Angs are more concerned with their lack of an heir thus treating the mother with distain. In this novel, we experience the emotional, often heartbreaking but determined journey of a mother and her four daughters from their home in the countryside to the bustling city of Qingdao, and onward to British Hong Kong and eventually Taiwan where they were forced to endure because they were left behind when the father and others fled the unrest because there were no male heirs.

The daughters' characters are very well drawn and quite distinct, which adds depth and multiple perspectives, as their mother reacts to them individually and as a group. The mother's character also evolves as they endure dangers and hardships, leavened with happy moments and growing togetherness. Their travels are conveyed to reader in a clear informative narrative where we feel part of their lives and cheering them on, as we learn about China during this time period and the suffering many, especially women, endured to achieve success and the decisions mom and the children made together.

An excellent book and wonderful read. Highly recommended.