I was right there with them in those moments. Those were the moments I was most entrance by this story: when they unrolled the scroll, ran their fingers over the silken strands, and fully envisioned each scene before sinking into the tale. Along with other folktales, this book had so many smaller stories within it that resonated with me a surprising amount. The title fable was gently included throughout, referenced in various situations. “The last words are the title and it’s so perfect and fitting it brought a tear to my eye.” It’s about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the haunting question: What would it mean to finally be home? Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is a bold and moving look at the history of modern China, told through the story of one family. How can he keep his family safe in this new land when the weight of his history threatens to drag them down? Yet how can Lily learn who she is if she can never know her family’s story? Though his daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, he refuses to talk about his childhood. Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. Relying on little but their wits and a beautifully illustrated hand scroll, filled with ancient fables that offer solace and wisdom, they must travel through a ravaged country, seeking refuge. But with the Japanese army approaching, Meilin and her four year old son, Renshu, are forced to flee their home. It is 1938 in China and, as a young wife, Meilin’s future is bright.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |