Daughters of the Sun and Moon

Lisa See writes great historical fiction, and with Daughters of the Sun and Moon, she turns her talent to the difficult lives of Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1870s. Based on the actual Chinese Massacre of 1871, See fictionalizes stories for three women in very different situations who survived the horrible night when at least 19 Chinese were killed. See manages to touch on many of the challenges these women faced, while still creating three enduring characters that readers will care about. Daughters of the Sun and Moon is an excellent choice for See fans, and for other readers of historical fiction who want to learn about a lesser-known event from US history.

I received an advance copy of this book. Thank you.

Lisa See is one of my favorite authors, and I was beyond thrilled to receive this book, and boy it did not disappoint. When Lisa See writes her research is evident, and her stories transport you there.
This story is about 3 women, all very different, but who came together and formed a strong lifelong connection. The story takes place in the 1870's, Dove and Petal leave their home in China: Petal sold by her parents into servitude, Dove to be married off as a second wife to a wealthy merchant, her beauty and bound feet ensuring a good marriage. They head to Los Angeles. At the time Los Angeles is a small and very violent town. Although on the same ship, the two women have very different show more journeys, but both end up in the office of Doctor Tong, where they meet his wife, Moon.
The story exposes how dangerous facing all Chinese immigrants, and how Chinese women are just property.
The story unfolds from three points of view; Dove and Petal in the present time of 1870 and Moon, looking back 50 years later.
I found this book fascinating, I learned about women and their bound feet, women of a hundred men, and the absolute horror of prejudice and ignorance that the Chinese immigrants faced.
Excellent book. show less