MR: 15-122 yrs.
This is a beautifully crafted, educational piece of literature. It may not be a page-turner, and the language may be a little dense, but if you're willing to give it some effort, I believe you'll enjoy it. It is a modern classic, written in 1999, but with a lilting tone reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables or A Little Princess. It's quite a bit racier, though...
Eliza Sommers literally arrived on the doorstep in Valparaiso, Chile at only a few months old. She was taken in by a wealthy English family, though her class background and parentage was unknown. Tao Chi'en was born in the province of Kwangtung in China, to a family so poor that they simply referred to their children by number. Tao was Fourth Son. Against the backdrop of the California Gold Rush, these two very different people meet and their lives inexplicably intertwine. Their independent stories are interwoven skillfully throughout the novel, sometimes through direct contact and, in other times, only through letters. Their blossoming relationship is a elegant microcosm in which all class discrepancies and interracial issues can be seen and examined.
Now, the California Gold Rush wasn't exactly rated G, no matter what your fourth grade teacher tried to tell you. This novel deals particularly well with the harsh realities of this time. They are present without being obnoxiously thrust in your face. Still, if your moral compass cannot handle accounts of prostitution, rape, and drunken violence, you may want to avoid this book. In my opinion, none of it is too disturbing to handle, but everyone has a different threshold for this sort of thing.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and are willing to put in the extra bit of effort, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised at this novel. It is witty, informative, and well written. It's a book to be appreciated, if not full out adored. It is available in paperback, audio, and library binding from Amazon, but remember, check those independent retailers first! As per usual, you can find independent bookstores near you here. Happy reading!
If my own experience is any indication, I urge you to stick with this remarkable novel as it winds it's way into your heart very slowly, but ever so surely. The first chapters set the stage, but I wasn't fully grabbed until a few chapters in. Don't give up! This novel is SO GOOD!
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