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The extraordinary biographical novel about a Chinese-American woman who fought for independence and dignity in the American West—"an important contribution to the history of pioneer women" (Ms. Magazine)
Lalu Nathoy's father called his thirteen-year-old daughter his treasure, his "thousand pieces of gold"—yet when famine strikes northern China in 1871, he is forced to sell her. Polly, as Lalu is later called, is sold to a brothel, sold again to a slave merchant bound for America, auctioned to a saloonkeeper, and offered as a prize in a poker game.
With over a quarter of a million copies sold, Thousand Pieces of Gold is a classic of biographical historical fiction that stars an unforgettable Chinese-American heroine whose struggles put a human face on the anti-immigration policies of the past and present.
"A story of struggle and survival as a woman-and slave-in China and the American West ... Fast-paced and entertaining-packed with adventure, drama, and inspiration." —San Francisco Chronicle
"Ruthanne Lum McCunn has woven an enthralling work of fiction from the true-life story of Lalu Nathoy." —Los Angeles Times
"This biographical novel has plenty of suspense and a strong story line. Reading it is a liberal education in one phase of pioneer life in the West." —Seattle Times
This information about Thousand Pieces of Gold was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Ruthanne Lum McCunn writes about the Chinese on both sides of the Pacific. Her award-winning books include The Moon Pearl and, most recently, Chinese Yankee. McCunn's work has been translated into thirteen languages, published in twenty-two countries, and adapted for stage and screen. She lives in San Francisco.
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