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A review by paperbackportals
The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
đź“–Review: The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang
I am so honoured to have had the opportunity to read this ARC of Janie Chang’s newest novel. I read The Library of Legends last year, and it was a beautiful magical realist look at the experience of a Chinese university during WWII. I knew after I read it that she would become one of my must read authors.
The Porcelain Moon is an exploration of the experience of Chinese workers hired by the British Expeditionary Force in WWI. My interest is always piqued by historical fiction set in WWI, as so much seems set in WWII. This story also explores more than the trenches, although they are described at one point, and focuses on the lives of Chinese people in France during the war.
The two female protagonists of the story are easy to connect with as their spirit and perseverance are admirable in a time fraught with dangers for women, who had very few rights. Pauline Deng, an illegitimate child taken in by her uncle, discovers that she is to have an arranged marriage and return to Shanghai from Paris. In an effort to avoid this obligation, she sets out with a family friend, Henri, to find her cousin, Theo, to help her. They travel to Noyelles sur Mer to the Chinese work camp where he is a translator, and happen upon Camille, the other female protagonist.
Janie’s storytelling through the two perspectives is detailed and emotive, and weaves a moving, and sometimes harrowing, journey. The feelings of each women in their respective situations is immersive and allows the reader to experience what they may each have experienced during the days leading up to Armistice.
As historical fiction reader, I found the story to be nuanced and detailed, and it allowed me to dive into the time period and the experiences of the characters. The diverse perspectives explored, some of which are often overlooked in Historical accounts, is informative and told with the same beauty and creativity as I experienced in The Library of Legends. If you enjoy books by Kate Quinn or Kristin Hannah, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of The Porcelain Moon on its publication date: February 21st.
CW: War, spousal abuse, racism. Please be sure to review content warnings in book description.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest recommendation.
I am so honoured to have had the opportunity to read this ARC of Janie Chang’s newest novel. I read The Library of Legends last year, and it was a beautiful magical realist look at the experience of a Chinese university during WWII. I knew after I read it that she would become one of my must read authors.
The Porcelain Moon is an exploration of the experience of Chinese workers hired by the British Expeditionary Force in WWI. My interest is always piqued by historical fiction set in WWI, as so much seems set in WWII. This story also explores more than the trenches, although they are described at one point, and focuses on the lives of Chinese people in France during the war.
The two female protagonists of the story are easy to connect with as their spirit and perseverance are admirable in a time fraught with dangers for women, who had very few rights. Pauline Deng, an illegitimate child taken in by her uncle, discovers that she is to have an arranged marriage and return to Shanghai from Paris. In an effort to avoid this obligation, she sets out with a family friend, Henri, to find her cousin, Theo, to help her. They travel to Noyelles sur Mer to the Chinese work camp where he is a translator, and happen upon Camille, the other female protagonist.
Janie’s storytelling through the two perspectives is detailed and emotive, and weaves a moving, and sometimes harrowing, journey. The feelings of each women in their respective situations is immersive and allows the reader to experience what they may each have experienced during the days leading up to Armistice.
As historical fiction reader, I found the story to be nuanced and detailed, and it allowed me to dive into the time period and the experiences of the characters. The diverse perspectives explored, some of which are often overlooked in Historical accounts, is informative and told with the same beauty and creativity as I experienced in The Library of Legends. If you enjoy books by Kate Quinn or Kristin Hannah, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of The Porcelain Moon on its publication date: February 21st.
CW: War, spousal abuse, racism. Please be sure to review content warnings in book description.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest recommendation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and War