A stunning multi-generational story that bleeds with emotion and power. This is a wonderful novel, and I am glad that I was able to listen to it!

✨ Review ✨Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu, Narrated by Eugenia Low

I've been excited to read this work of historical fiction but I admit I needed to be in the right mindset for one this long and sprawling through time. The story follows three generations of family, beginning with Meilin, who starts the story as a young mother in China in 1938 to 4-year-old Renshu, fleeing the city as the Japanese armies attack. The story follows Meilin and Renshu through a series of migrations through China and to Taipei, and then Renshu as an adult to the U.S. for graduate school and beyond. As the family becomes divided by continents and cultures, the author explores histories of assimilation and identity, fear and politics, and love and family.

This was beautifully written and inspired a lot of thinking about these histories that Fu details here. It pushed me to think more about assimilation and distancing from one's culture due to fear of retribution or being recalled home. The pacing of the book was a little off for me, and I'm not sure all of the storylines really came full circle in the end. It's definitely long historical fiction, but one that offers a lot to the reader. In particular, the initial flight with a scroll reminded me of Library of Legends and there were a lot of echoes in the text about this story of migration.

In the end, it's a story of fulfillment but also of longing, of incompletes and imperfects and making the best of things. It's a story of love and pain that stretch across generations and continents, and it works beautifully with metaphors about cultivation and fruit trees (e.g. peach blossoms in the title). I learned a lot from this book, albeit, I'm not sure that I'd say I enjoyed the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction 1930s - 1990s
Location: China, Taipei, U.S.
Reminds me of: Library of Legends

Thanks to Little, Brown, and Company, Hachette Audio, and #netgalley for advanced e-copies of this book!

Wow OK I had an extremely hard time getting through the first 10% of this (maybe because I got the audiobook via NetGalley and the quality was Not Great?) but once I hit part 2, I was totally obsessed. The sprawling story of family ties and sacrifice reminded me a lot of Pachinko. It was immersive and warm and painful and thoughtful and gorgeous. I stopped listening to the audiobook and bought the ebook so I could highlight all the gorgeous prose. Ahh I loved it!

My favorite character was Lily — I especially loved reading about how she navigated her relationship with her dad, Henry. She felt so alive and real and the way her personality shifted as she grew up felt authentic. Definitely a character I will carry with me forever.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for introducing me to this book in exchange for an honest review! I adored it.

“Peach Blossom Spring”, by Melissa Fu, is a family saga that spans nearly 70 years and follows three generations of a Chinese family. The story starts off in China during the Second Sino-Chinese War (the War of Aggression), during which Meilin, and her son, Renshu, are forced to flee their village in the face of the Japanese invasion. After many travels, sacrifices, and hardships, Renshu emigrates to the United States in his adult life, where he distances himself from his Chinese identity, and tries to stop his daughter, Lily, from exploring her Chinese identity, straining their relationship in the process.

I find that for a family saga to work, all characters across the different generations need to be about as compelling as one another, and I definitely felt like this was the case in “Peach Blossom Spring”. Meilin, her son Renshu, and his daughter Lily were all fully fledged characters, and their relationships were as complex as family relationships get. Across the lives of its three main characters, the book explores themes of identity and belonging, and guilt and generational trauma. I also found the political themes, especially Renshu’s fears of getting political as a Chinese immigrant in America, very interesting.

The audiobook was a great way to experience this book. The narrator, Eugenia Low, brought the words to life, and it was very easy to feel immersed in the story whenever I started listening to the story. This one is great for lovers of family sagas and historical fiction. Fans of “Pachinko” and “The Mountains Sing” are sure to enjoy “Peach Blossom Spring”!

Enjoyed this one. It starts out with one women's life in China and end with her granddaughters life in America. Inbetween we get to see all the hardships they have to go through and the strained relationship between father and daughter.

A saga spanning three generations of the Dao family... slow paced, and yet utterly engrossing... This book reads almost like non fiction, so detailed and accurate is the author's attention to historical detail... so poignant, it left me feeling a sense of both sadness and happiness...

I could relate the most to Lily... I'm of mixed ethnicity too, and I struggled with the feeling of not belonging, not knowing enough, and outright racial discrimination (however subtle).

𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 (Lily) 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨' 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙟𝙞𝙜𝙨𝙖𝙬, 𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚.

If I could rate this higher than a 5, I absolutely would. Do I love audiobooks now?! Do I love Historical Fiction now? Who am I?!?!?!?!

Peach Blossom Spring was the longest audiobook (14 hours, I believe) and it took me most of the month to finish it - however, it gave me something to look forward to in the car wherever I was driving to.

This book traveled through three generations, and it almost felt poetic the way the story flowed and ultimately ended. We start with Meilin and Renshu, a mother and son, who are fleeing from China in the midst of the war. We follow the twists and turns of their story, the moments where both almost gave up, but how they persevered and moved forward. We then go to Renshu, who emigrates to the United States, and follow him on his journey to finding himself while ultimately learning a whole new culture and identity in the States.

This book...I wish I could put into words how amazing this story was. Fu takes us on a journey spanning over 70 years, multiple countries, and three generations. Not many authors can do that and do it beautifully. The emotions that were felt while listening to this book, I'm not sure where they came from. I found myself gasping out loud on my drive to work, tearing up on my way home, and screaming at the top of my lungs because of all the horrible things this family endured.

I can tell you how much I truly loved this book, only by saying this. I was watching the seconds count down at the last chapter, saddened because the book was ultimately ending. The chapter ended and when the narrator said "Epilogue" and moved onto the next chapter, my heart skipped a beat and I got so excited!! I did not want this book to end, and I thoroughly LOVED watching Renshu grow up, have a child of his own, and deal with his internal battles while ultimately struggling to understand why things had to be the way they were. I didn't want this book to end, but the way Fu ended, brought me to tears.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, or history in general. I would highly recommend this absolutely phenomenal novel. I'll say it one more time, I LOVED this book and I can see this being a potential favorite of the year for me! Melissa Fu, please feel free to directly mail me the next book you write, I would GREATLY appreciate it - please and thank you

4 beautiful, moving stars for Melissa Fu’s debut novel, Peach Blossom Spring.

This multigenerational story begins in 1930s China as the Japanese army approaches. Meilin, who is recently widowed, must flee her home with her four year old son, Renshu. After moving from city to city and surviving the horrors of war, Meilin and Renshu finally settle in Taiwan.

Many years later Renshu moves to America to study engineering. When his own daughter Lily becomes interested in her heritage and where Renshu, who now goes by Henry, is from, he cannot face his past and refuses to discuss it. Will he ever come to terms with his traumatic past and share his personal history with his daughter?

For me, one of the marks of a successful historical fiction novel is when I learn something new. Peach Blossom Spring hooked me from the very beginning, there were many aspects of 1930s-40s Chinese history that I was unaware of. Melissa Fu’s intricate storytelling and use of Chinese folk stories weaved with real history was extraordinary. The characters of Meilin, Renshu/Henry, and Lily are wonderfully written and fleshed out. I enjoyed the themes of loss, survival, family, and personal history.

I listened to this book on audio and the narrator, Eugenia Low, was excellent. She was able to voice multiple characters and made them sound authentic.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Format: audiobook
Author: Melissa Fu ~ Title: Peach Blossom Spring ~ Narrator: Eugenia Low
Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

Peach Blossom Spring is a very good multigenerational family saga spanning from 1938 to 2000. It is a story of three people: Meilin, her son Renshu, later known as Henry, and Meilin’s granddaughter Lily. Each is going through their issues, very different from each other. Grandmother Meilin flees from home with Renshu because of the war. Son Henry, later in America, doesn’t want to talk about his past. Granddaughter Lily is searching for her identity, struggling to learn about her family culture and heritage.

This novel is an excellent choice for all who like to read multigenerational family sagas and those interested in the history and culture of China.

Narrator Eugenia Low did a great job. Her voice is pleasant, calm, and sounds authentic.

Thanks to Little, Brown & Company for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

• 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 •

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Peach Blossom Spring
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Melissa Fu
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ☆☆☆☆ 4.5/5

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I listened to the audiobook and this story was just soo beautiful. It is not a genre that I read a lot. So I was curious to see how much I would like it. And let me tell you, I did not only like it, I loved it. I felt slightly obsessed with listening to this book. Every spare minute that I could, I continued listening. It is a story about love, loss, war, survival, family, different generations and cultures. The story had a natural flow to it and I never felt bored. Even though the book is fiction, I felt like this is a story that could’ve happened for real. It was like I was reading some kind of memoir (which it isn’t). There are many meaningful moments and lessons to be learned from this story. For someone like me who is interested in Chinese culture and history this story felt extra special. I also loved the narrator, her voice is very pleasant to listen to.

Named after a Chinese folk tale, Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu is a gorgeous multigenerational story.

Starting during the War of Invasion (1937-1945), we meet Meilin and her child Renshu as they flee to the interior of China to avoid the invading Japanese forces (and eventually the Chinese Communist Party). Throughout the journey, they are separated and reunited with their family several times. The two ultimately learn to trust only on each other while Renshu grows up under the constant threat of violence, air raids, and loss. Meilin does her best to preserve Renshu's childhood, and infuses their days with folks tales from their family scroll. These stories are a wonderful addition to the greater narrative.

With the rise of Communism in China, Meilin and Renshu flee toTaipei. There, they find opportunities to grow in relative safety. After university, Renshu is sponsored to study I'm the United States. He must now learn to navigate the political tensions between the new and old China against the background of Cold War America.

The second part of the novel shifts to Renshu's (now Henry) relationship with his daughter Lily, and her coming of age. Renshu's trauma during the War has made him shut down his past and distance himself from his Chinese culture. Growing biracial in a small town, Lily craves that part of her heritage and is continually frustrated by her father's refusal to engage. As she grows up, she learns to find her place in the world.

I really enjoyed Melissa Fu's writing. The way she was able to blend the historical context, family story, and folk tales was beautiful. I also adored the way she captured Renshu's trauma, and the way it affected his work, marriage, and parenting. I wish we could have seen more of Meilin's story as she made a life of her own in Taiwan away from her son and his family.

Unfortunately, the third person point of view the story is written in makes the story feel very much as if it is being told rather than shown. This storylines are not strong enough to overcome this feeling and I failed to build any interest in the characters.

This audiobook should be added to everyone's "Want To Read" list.

Are you interested in reading about other cultures? If so, this book will appeal to you.

Do you enjoy stories that follow families through multiple generations? This book should top your list.

With engaging characters, vivid descriptions and imagery, PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING is a delight to read.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I absolutely LOVED every second of it. The narrator is sheer perfection, as is the storyline.

I rate PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING as 5+ out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook.

I was so excited when I got approved for this audiobook, because this book was phenomenal as an audio and the narrator truly made these stories come alive. There is something powerful about hearing someone express the words on the page. The story follows multiple generations of a Chinese family that are trying to find their homes of loss, war, and desperation. I loved how we are able to see the patterns of China over time. I felt so many emotions when reading this book, and am absolutely shocked that this is a debut.

An epic multigenerational story that follows one Chinese family across decades as they flee China to Taiwan and later immigrate to America. This book is transporting and so well written! I found myself fully immersed in each character's particular struggles. Starting in 1938 China as the Japanese invade, Meilin is forced to flee to Taiwan with her young son. Once there she struggles to fit in, working hard and sacrificing much in order to give her son the opportunity at a better life.

Then the story switches to "Henry"'s perspective as he gets a scholarship to attend university in the Midwest with help from an estranged Uncle and adopts a new English name in an attempt to fit in. While there he struggles to adjust to life in 1960s America at the height of anti-communisim and anti-immigrant sentiments. He marries an white American woman and starts a family, largely eschewing his Chinese identity.

I enjoyed most when the story switched to Henry's daughter Lily as she starts university and tries to reconnect with her Chinese heritage and being half-Chinese. The story does circle back with Henry and Lily returning to Taiwan upon his mother's death. Overall this was one of the best stories I've read about the Chinese immigrant experience, capturing the various struggles felt by each generation. Highly recommended!!

My only disappointment was with the audiobook narrator. I didn't love her and thought it would have been a much better experience with someone like Natalie Naudus! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies. This book hits shelves March 15th and it's one to watch. Plus what a stunning cover!!

Thank you to Hachette Audio for my ALC of Peach Blossom Spring!

Pub date: 3/15/22, early release through February BOTM
Genre: historical fiction, family saga
In one sentence: Meilin flees 1938 China with her son Renshu; years later, Renshu has moved to the United States and renamed himself Henry Dao, refusing to discuss his family history with daughter Lily.

Wow, this book packs a lot into 14 hours on audio. I loved each of the different time periods and stories in the book - from Meilin's journey in 1938, to Henry's studies in the US, to Lily's efforts to understand her Chinese heritage. I love family sagas because you can see how the events of the past inform the present, as well as how the present changes our view of the past. Lily's exploration of her heritage was especially powerful for me. I loved how she helped her father to wrestle with his past and make a better future for both of them. I also enjoyed Meilin's storyline - her flight from her hometown reminded me of The Library of Legends, another book I loved that takes place in the same time period.

Eugenia Low's audio is beautiful with a great rhythm that captures the lyricism of the text. I would suggest listening to this audiobook when you can focus on it - there's a ton of detail, including beautiful stories related to the family hand scroll. I think it's worth giving this one your full attention, and I enjoyed listening to it on audiobook walks!