***A RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK***'Glorious and tender . . . I finished it with tears in my eyes' JENNIFER SAINT'A stunning achievement' CHRISTY LEFTERI'An immersive, expertly plotted and elegantly written novel ' SHARLENE TEOWith every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so it goes, until the end of time.China, 1938: Meilin and her four-year-old son, Renshu, flee their burning city as Japanese forces advance. In their perilous journey across the country seeking refuge, they find comfort and wisdom in their most treasured possession - a beautifully illustrated hand scroll, filled with ancient fables.Years later, separated from his mother by thousands of miles, Renshu now calls himself Henry Dao. His daughter, Lily, is desperate to understand her place in the world, but Henry refuses to share with her the fear and tragedy that mar his past.Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is a bold and moving story of the sacrifices we make to protect our children. It's about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the search for a place to call home.'Magical and powerful' Nguyen Phan Que Mai, author of THE MOUNTAINS SING'Beautifully rendered' Georgia Hunter, author of WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES'Captivating from beginning to end' Mira T Lee, author of EVERYTHING HERE IS BEAUTIFUL'A brilliant multigenerational tale' Mary Lynn Bracht, author of WHITE CRYSANTHEMUM'Accomplished and utterly gripping' Catherine Menon, author of FRAGILE MONSTERS
With every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so it goes, until the end of time.
It is 1938 in China, and the Japanese are advancing. A young mother, Meilin, is forced to flee her burning city with her four-year-old son, Renshu, and embark on an epic journey across China. For comfort, they turn to their most treasured possession - a beautifully illustrated hand scroll. Its ancient fables offer solace and wisdom as they travel through their ravaged country, seeking refuge.
Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. His daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, but he refuses to talk about his childhood. How can he keep his family safe in this new land when the weight of his history threatens to drag them down?
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. It's about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the search for a place to call home.