Book Review by Vivian H. (Winchester, VA)

Beautiful & Timely

Peace Blossom Spring is a beautifully written story about family ties, the effects of world, civil war when it is impossible to know who can be trusted, a mother's strength and determination, the value of stories that resonate throughout a lifetime, resilience, memories, happiness in small things, and the immigrant experience in America.

So much of this saga feels personal. I had the good fortune to spend two years in Taiwan followed by three years in Hong Kong and had conversations with people who lived through much of what Renshu and Meilin experienced in Peach Blossom Spring. The fears of government retaliation against family if one says the wrong thing. The identity crisis of what it means to be Chinese, how foreign students visiting China were treated as foreign dogs, how the Taiwan people never truly rest while PRC continues the threat of reunification…a nightmare of more than 70 years.

I love the stories from the precious scroll that Meilin tells Renshu through their journey.

And this quote makes my heart sing:
"Within every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune. And so it goes, until the end of time."
I usually pass along books to share with others. But this one I will keep.

(02/19/22)