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A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China
The novel covers a tumultuous era in Chinese history beginning in 1937 and ending in 1941. It also explores the circumstances surrounding the true-life event of my grandmother's gift of a concubine to my grandfather on his birthday to enhance the chance of an heir to the Family.
- GenresHistorical FictionChina
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2012
112 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Amy S. Kwei
3 books11 followersA graduate of St. John's University (BA) and Vassar College (MA). She is retired from teaching in Bennett College and Dutchess Community College. She has twice won the Talespinner Competition sponsored by the Poughkeepsie Journal. One of the judges, Michael Korda, commented: "Has a very strong cultural appeal, and gives the reader a quick, instant understanding of Chinese values, and how they differ from our own. As well, it is simply written, perhaps the best written of all the stories here."
Her short stories and essays have appeared in Prima Materia, Short Story International, CAAC Inflight Magazine, Westchester Family, Dutchess Magazine, The Country, and Dutchess Mature Life. Andover Green published one of her children’s stories in Six Inches to England: An Anthology of International Children Stories.
Amy's first full length novel: A Concubine for the Family was published in 2012 and has won critical acclaim and is well received. She is working on the sequel: Under the Red Moon.
Amy's recent photo essay on Josephine Fang was published in June 2014 in the 40th Anniversary magazine of the Chinese American Library Association (CALA).
Her short stories and essays have appeared in Prima Materia, Short Story International, CAAC Inflight Magazine, Westchester Family, Dutchess Magazine, The Country, and Dutchess Mature Life. Andover Green published one of her children’s stories in Six Inches to England: An Anthology of International Children Stories.
Amy's first full length novel: A Concubine for the Family was published in 2012 and has won critical acclaim and is well received. She is working on the sequel: Under the Red Moon.
Amy's recent photo essay on Josephine Fang was published in June 2014 in the 40th Anniversary magazine of the Chinese American Library Association (CALA).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 6, 2015
A great look at an amazing country and people on the verge of great change. Following one family on the out break of WW2, trying to hold on to traditional values while also attepmting to give their children the best advantage to the future. The author does an amazing job giving us insight into cultrue, traditions, and setting as well as into the character's minds, and the generational differences in thought. The story moves along well with a good pairing of dialog, scenesetting and character development make this a highly recccommended read.
For a similar tale and look into multi generational family check out Pearl S. Buck's Pavillion of Women.
For a similar tale and look into multi generational family check out Pearl S. Buck's Pavillion of Women.
January 22, 2015
The Huang family is without an heir… In early to mid 19th century China, this has grave consequences for the old traditions. Purple Jade has the humility, dignity, and pragmatism to bring an heir to the Huangs in any culturally justified means available: a Concubine for the Family.
The violence in this book was softened. The cultural shock was softened. The bad guy was ambiguous. Amy Kwei chose to soften the blow of the violence in this book by using a mellowing narrative voice. I thought it was fitting for the author to soften her words and perspective (softening the truth perhaps), because the characters and persons in the book showed considerable restraint. Where you or I would lash out in voice or action, Purple Jade held her peace and showed that she was considering both sides to a situation (in her thoughts). The author describes this as a concept of fixing yourself before fixing the world: “By cultivating oneself, we can regulate the family; by regulating the family, we can govern the state; by governing the state, we can bring peace on earth. When order and kindness direct the world, heaven will be pleased.” (Page 326). What a wonderful concept that everyone should adopt, at least in part, and the world would be a better place.
Perhaps the bad guy was not a single person, but actions of people or actions of a country. Perhaps it is fate or old traditions. Perhaps it is the concept of war. Kwei gives the reader much to ponder by not handing us a simple and easy character to despise and blame. The characters are just as much prone to their fate as we are in real life.
I get a little lost in the politics of a country’s history I know nothing about and a country’s culture I am quite unfamiliar with, but that’s what makes this book so fascinating. Kwei describes the proper way to eat and what is proper to eat. She describes when and who speaks, political gains and favors, and the halting way of speaking (as if it’s been translated just for our eyes). I am peeking into a world I would normally not have insight into and it is described in enough detail to give me a taste without having overwhelming flavor.
I very much enjoyed Kwei’s descriptions of cultural traditions and the differences between modern living and traditions of the past. The concept of “saving face” was intriguing, as was the struggle between culture and shame.
“If we can agree with their concept that each person is endowed with thoughts and feelings worthy of singular attention, more opportunities and developments would surely follow.” (Page 298).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a political element, culturally rich stories, novels featuring Chinese in China, or a novel with a strong female lead.
The violence in this book was softened. The cultural shock was softened. The bad guy was ambiguous. Amy Kwei chose to soften the blow of the violence in this book by using a mellowing narrative voice. I thought it was fitting for the author to soften her words and perspective (softening the truth perhaps), because the characters and persons in the book showed considerable restraint. Where you or I would lash out in voice or action, Purple Jade held her peace and showed that she was considering both sides to a situation (in her thoughts). The author describes this as a concept of fixing yourself before fixing the world: “By cultivating oneself, we can regulate the family; by regulating the family, we can govern the state; by governing the state, we can bring peace on earth. When order and kindness direct the world, heaven will be pleased.” (Page 326). What a wonderful concept that everyone should adopt, at least in part, and the world would be a better place.
Perhaps the bad guy was not a single person, but actions of people or actions of a country. Perhaps it is fate or old traditions. Perhaps it is the concept of war. Kwei gives the reader much to ponder by not handing us a simple and easy character to despise and blame. The characters are just as much prone to their fate as we are in real life.
I get a little lost in the politics of a country’s history I know nothing about and a country’s culture I am quite unfamiliar with, but that’s what makes this book so fascinating. Kwei describes the proper way to eat and what is proper to eat. She describes when and who speaks, political gains and favors, and the halting way of speaking (as if it’s been translated just for our eyes). I am peeking into a world I would normally not have insight into and it is described in enough detail to give me a taste without having overwhelming flavor.
I very much enjoyed Kwei’s descriptions of cultural traditions and the differences between modern living and traditions of the past. The concept of “saving face” was intriguing, as was the struggle between culture and shame.
“If we can agree with their concept that each person is endowed with thoughts and feelings worthy of singular attention, more opportunities and developments would surely follow.” (Page 298).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a political element, culturally rich stories, novels featuring Chinese in China, or a novel with a strong female lead.
January 27, 2015
The Huang family is without an heir… In early to mid 19th century China, this has grave consequences for the old traditions. Purple Jade has the humility, dignity, and pragmatism to bring an heir to the Huangs in any culturally justified means available: a Concubine for the Family.
The violence in this book was softened. The cultural shock was softened. The bad guy was ambiguous. Amy Kwei chose to soften the blow of the violence in this book by using a mellowing narrative voice. I thought it was fitting for the author to soften her words and perspective (softening the truth perhaps), because the characters and persons in the book showed considerable restraint. Where you or I would lash out in voice or action, Purple Jade held her peace and showed that she was considering both sides to a situation (in her thoughts). The author describes this as a concept of fixing yourself before fixing the world: “By cultivating oneself, we can regulate the family; by regulating the family, we can govern the state; by governing the state, we can bring peace on earth. When order and kindness direct the world, heaven will be pleased.” (Page 326). What a wonderful concept that everyone should adopt, at least in part, and the world would be a better place.
Perhaps the bad guy was not a single person, but actions of people or actions of a country. Perhaps it is fate or old traditions. Perhaps it is the concept of war. Kwei gives the reader much to ponder by not handing us a simple and easy character to despise and blame. The characters are just as much prone to their fate as we are in real life.
I get a little lost in the politics of a country’s history I know nothing about and a country’s culture I am quite unfamiliar with, but that’s what makes this book so fascinating. Kwei describes the proper way to eat and what is proper to eat. She describes when and who speaks, political gains and favors, and the halting way of speaking (as if it’s been translated just for our eyes). I am peeking into a world I would normally not have insight into and it is described in enough detail to give me a taste without having overwhelming flavor.
I very much enjoyed Kwei’s descriptions of cultural traditions and the differences between modern living and traditions of the past. The concept of “saving face” was intriguing, as was the struggle between culture and shame.
“If we can agree with their concept that each person is endowed with thoughts and feelings worthy of singular attention, more opportunities and developments would surely follow.” (Page 298).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a political element, culturally rich stories, novels featuring Chinese in China, or a novel with a strong female lead.
The violence in this book was softened. The cultural shock was softened. The bad guy was ambiguous. Amy Kwei chose to soften the blow of the violence in this book by using a mellowing narrative voice. I thought it was fitting for the author to soften her words and perspective (softening the truth perhaps), because the characters and persons in the book showed considerable restraint. Where you or I would lash out in voice or action, Purple Jade held her peace and showed that she was considering both sides to a situation (in her thoughts). The author describes this as a concept of fixing yourself before fixing the world: “By cultivating oneself, we can regulate the family; by regulating the family, we can govern the state; by governing the state, we can bring peace on earth. When order and kindness direct the world, heaven will be pleased.” (Page 326). What a wonderful concept that everyone should adopt, at least in part, and the world would be a better place.
Perhaps the bad guy was not a single person, but actions of people or actions of a country. Perhaps it is fate or old traditions. Perhaps it is the concept of war. Kwei gives the reader much to ponder by not handing us a simple and easy character to despise and blame. The characters are just as much prone to their fate as we are in real life.
I get a little lost in the politics of a country’s history I know nothing about and a country’s culture I am quite unfamiliar with, but that’s what makes this book so fascinating. Kwei describes the proper way to eat and what is proper to eat. She describes when and who speaks, political gains and favors, and the halting way of speaking (as if it’s been translated just for our eyes). I am peeking into a world I would normally not have insight into and it is described in enough detail to give me a taste without having overwhelming flavor.
I very much enjoyed Kwei’s descriptions of cultural traditions and the differences between modern living and traditions of the past. The concept of “saving face” was intriguing, as was the struggle between culture and shame.
“If we can agree with their concept that each person is endowed with thoughts and feelings worthy of singular attention, more opportunities and developments would surely follow.” (Page 298).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a political element, culturally rich stories, novels featuring Chinese in China, or a novel with a strong female lead.
July 30, 2016
Gorgeous saga of a Chinese family caught in between their own traditions and the western world, with war looming on the horizon. Many different characters with different opinions help show the many schools of thought swirling around China in the late 1930s.
November 17, 2015
It was a good book, though the author started with one novel and ended with something completely different. I enjoyed it, but still think the book could've been written in two separate novels.
January 31, 2019
As a Chinese-American, I had heard from family members about the plight of China in the time before and during World War II. Their stories were sometimes tragic and sometimes heroic but always engrossing. A Concubine for the Family takes these stories to another level with a colorful cast of characters and vivid language that is authentic to the words and phrases used by the Chinese people. Amy Kwei draws the reader in with her adroit telling of the hardships of internecine conflict coupled with the magnificence of the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity. That she does so by focusing on a specific family (and the concubine that becomes part of it) illustrates an attention to detail that the reader will appreciate and from which the reader will learn much about Chinese culture. I highly recommend this enjoyable read.
May 2, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
A bit of a slow starter for me but the further I got the more the story grew on me. I enjoyed the relationship between Purple Jade and Comely Brook.
I wasn't really expecting the plot to go where it did, but it was interesting to see a bit of what the war looked like in China.
An interesting read, not a world beater but I think it's worth its time.
A bit of a slow starter for me but the further I got the more the story grew on me. I enjoyed the relationship between Purple Jade and Comely Brook.
I wasn't really expecting the plot to go where it did, but it was interesting to see a bit of what the war looked like in China.
An interesting read, not a world beater but I think it's worth its time.
November 25, 2018
This immerses you in Chinese history, culture and landscape at a time of turmoil.
August 8, 2016
By Wellington D.K. Chan, Ph.D., NEH Distinguished Professor of Humanities Emeritus, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
July, 2016
This review is from: A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China (Paperback)
I was much impressed by Amy's careful attention to the historical background for the events that happened during that period in her novel. She also did good research that provided her with accurate factual information such as foot binding and how bound feet had to be managed and taken care of. They lend verisimilitude, which to me is all the more important since the audience comes from individuals who are mostly unfamiliar with Chinese cultural values.
Novels dealing with traditional Chinese values tend to display a maudlin concern when describing family relationships. Amy successfully avoids this pitfall, for the old traditions were often set against the westernized influences brought in by their daughters from the missionary school and from the family's forced move to Shanghai. It is a good story, which I enjoyed reading. I shall pass it on to my former colleague who teaches Chinese language and on Chinese novels in English translation at Occidental College.
July, 2016
This review is from: A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China (Paperback)
I was much impressed by Amy's careful attention to the historical background for the events that happened during that period in her novel. She also did good research that provided her with accurate factual information such as foot binding and how bound feet had to be managed and taken care of. They lend verisimilitude, which to me is all the more important since the audience comes from individuals who are mostly unfamiliar with Chinese cultural values.
Novels dealing with traditional Chinese values tend to display a maudlin concern when describing family relationships. Amy successfully avoids this pitfall, for the old traditions were often set against the westernized influences brought in by their daughters from the missionary school and from the family's forced move to Shanghai. It is a good story, which I enjoyed reading. I shall pass it on to my former colleague who teaches Chinese language and on Chinese novels in English translation at Occidental College.
March 18, 2015
China
This story explains the tragedy of the rape of China by the western and eastern powers of the day. Purple Jade and her family had to learn new ways, endure the losses and death of members of their family and death of the family itself. Purple Jade was the strength of this sad group to the end.
This story explains the tragedy of the rape of China by the western and eastern powers of the day. Purple Jade and her family had to learn new ways, endure the losses and death of members of their family and death of the family itself. Purple Jade was the strength of this sad group to the end.
January 23, 2015
I am disappointed at where this left off. What happened?
May 31, 2016
interesting if you like turn of the century Chinese culture..enjoy comparison between Confusion culture and Western culture..not brilliant but enjoyable.
Currently reading
February 4, 2013I like the book but the ending was not what I expected.
April 13, 2017
Well written
I have read a !ot of historical fiction of these times. I thought the book flowed well from one character to the next while giving you greater insights as to why things were done as they were.
I have read a !ot of historical fiction of these times. I thought the book flowed well from one character to the next while giving you greater insights as to why things were done as they were.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews