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Spring Moon: A Novel of China
In a world gone forever, at a time of mystery and cruelty, in an ancient land of breathtaking beauty and exotic surprise... here, you will discover Spring Moon, pampered child of a noble house, privileged daughter of destiny, a courageous woman who triumphs over her world's ultimate tragedy...
School & Library Binding, 575 pages
Published
December 1st 2003
by Turtleback Books
(first published 1981)
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Harmonybites
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Recommends it for:
Those Interested in Chinese History and Culture
Recommended to Harmonybites by:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
I've recently read three novels set in China from a list of recommended historical fiction: Min's Empress Orchid, See's Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and Bao's Spring Moon. All three are written by Chinese-American women about female Chinese protagonists born in the late Ch'ing Manchu Dynasty--the times of the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion and in the case of this novel, Spring Moon, taking us to the ending of that dynasty to the Communist Revolution. The three books paint a rather consisten...more
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This book was required reading in my 10th grade combined studies (English/History) class (though it could have been 11th or 12th grade--don't remember for sure). What's really wild about this book is that, 20 years after I read it, when someone asked me about historical fiction, it's one of the first titles that popped into my head. For someone interested in finding out more about growing up in another culture in another time, or in Chinese history or women's history--this book has it all.
One of the Masterpieces in historical fiction of an unjust Dynasty, culture and change. Spring Moon was so well written, I read it twice. Kept it to my self for weeks, because I wanted to digest it without a lot of questions and debates (1982). I don't know what happened to the gifted author, Bette Bao Lord, this is the only book that she wrote I am aware of.
* Update, Bette Bao Lord wrote a book titled Legacies: A Chinese Mosaic, around 1989.
Spring Moon is the story of a young As...more
* Update, Bette Bao Lord wrote a book titled Legacies: A Chinese Mosaic, around 1989.
Spring Moon is the story of a young As...more
I read this, I believe, when I was in junior high. This is the book that ignited my life-long fascination with China, and other far away lands for that matter! Being very young, I do remember spending a lot of time reading this, but it intrigued me and it has stuck with me all of these years. I will have to definitely read this again through more mature eyes one of these days!
Pleasurable read for a business trip -- follows a family in China from the 1890s to 1980. Engaging story, the only thing that drove me NUTS is that instead of using pinyin (the Romanization system that is now commonly used) and instead used the Wade Giles system so I was never totally sure on historical names and places. One of the school officials I was visiting in Tibet saw me reading it and wanted to read it as well ... so my copy has been mailed to her and who knows where it will land next! ...more
I thought I wrote a review on this already, but I guess not. Anyway, I picked this 'cause I was in the mood for historical fiction (as I am frequently) and Chinese history is something I knew next to nothing about. From a historical point of view, I found the story line of the family culture VERY interesting. The book goes back and forth between the fictional, family story line and the historical facts of Chinese politics during the lifespan of the main character (Spring Moon). Politics, though ...more
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I knew very little about Chinese history before I read this book, and it was definitely more enjoyable than reading a history text. However, "A Chinese Gone with the Wind" it ain't. Gone with the Wind, while devastating, was also uplifting because of the attitude of Scarlett and Rhett, and because of their love for each other. Spring Moon I found mostly just devastating. No optimism, just resignation. I understand that from a historical perspective, but it was still a little exhausting...more
While this book is not completely horrid, the slow progression and lack of focus made me slowly dislike it. The summary says that it tells the story of a Chinese girl named Spring Moon, born in a rich family living in Soochow province, amidst the traditional Chinese culture of showing respect for their elders, bonding their feet (practice they called "golden lilies"), not choosing whom they married. And yes, Spring Moon's life spams form the traditional Chinese life until the Chinese R...more
I enjoyed the first part of this book very much. From the title, I assumed the main character would be Spring Moon and that the story would be told from her point of view. I read somewhere that it's been compared to Gone With The Wind but I have to disagree--except to say that it concerns a family torn apart by civil war. Other characters were introduced into the story and subsequent chapters would go between Spring Moon's point of view and some of the others. I found it distracting, particu...more
I first read this when I was in high school. I found a copy at a rummage sale, picked it up and read it again. I'm glad I did. Its a wonderful epic story of a woman through five generations, during the Chinese revolution. Very interesting stuff, and the culture/history lesson is there but isn't overwhelming. If you like Amy Tan stories, you will like this too.
Lize
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Recommended to Lize by:
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The sweeping epic saga of a dynastic Chinese family over several generations. I read this for the first time when I was 15 and home with mono (it was in a care package of books from a friend of my Mum's), and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I credit it with igniting my fascination with Chinese history that lasted many years.
I well written historical fiction of China at the turn of the 20th century. It follows one clan as it's people are forced to change and modernize. Each chapter begins with either a parable or a paragraph of chinese history which foreshadows the chapter. It was a great way to write the book. The characters were engaging and believable.
I read this book for one of my classes in college and absolutely loved it. I was excited to read it because my professor said that it was like Gone with the Wind which is one of my favorite novels however, I disagree. It had more of a Thorn Birds feel to me which was fine since I enjoyed that book as well.
This is one of the first books I read about China written from the perspective of a wealthy family. I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into the story from the first. I definitely recommend it as an easy read for someone hesitant about picking up a book about China.
I have already read this once, and in fact I have written on the cover it was very good. Nevertheless all I remember is the white paperback cover with superimposed flowers! I will have to read it again. Maybe when I start it, it will all come back?!
I read this book in my early teens and was forever in love with Chinese culture. The beauty of this book has never left me. What a touching story of love during a time of great upheaval. Even in the re-reading this book offers new perspectives.
This was the first book I ever read about China. It was actually excerpted in "Good Housekeeping" (remember when they used to include novels?). I haven't revisited it, but it stands out as a great read.
I had to read this book for world history class in high school and I liked it. Considering I knew very little about China, this was a good way to start to learn about the culture.
This was the first book I ever read about China. It was actually excerpted in "Good Housekeeping" (remember when they used to include novels?). I haven't revisited it, but it stands out as a great read.
for reasons beyond the scope of the book, i found this to be a valuable experience in my life. important lessons, in retrospect...
Interesting escape into fascinating Chinese culture in an ancient era/Year of the Dragon & beyond
Nice introduction to China up to the conversion to Communism. Pretty dramatic and nicely written.
Started out really good, but got lost momentum towards the last half and got depressing.
I have the 1983 edition by Sphere books. brought home to re-read sometime.
This was definitely not one of my favorite China books. It's called "the Chinese 'Gone with the Wind'" but I have to say that I found the actual "Gone with the Wind" to be a lot more moving.
Great historical novel about China from late 1800's to 1970's. Good read.
Someone else on Good Reads who read this book said that it is a borderline romance novel, but she still throughly enjoyed it. I have to agree. It does have substance, however, as a work of historical fiction. In the late 1800s many people in China were struggling with the introduction of foreign ideas into China. It is the beginning of a divide that will have much greater implications. Through this novel we see this unfold in the lives of three generations of a wealthy family. I think it i...more
This is one of those books you never forget.
It is an interesting look at China.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Spring Moon Group WLit H 2nd period (Sonali, Priyanka, Elyse) | 1 | 7 | Jan 28, 2008 05:51am |
