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The Language of Threads
The Language of Threads: A Novel | Gail Tsukiyama
4 posts | 5 read | 5 to read
Readers of Women of the Silk never forgot the moving, powerful story of Pei, brought to work in the silk house as a girl, grown into a quiet but determined young woman whose life is subject to cruel twists of fate, including the loss of her closest friend, Lin. Now we finally learn what happened to Pei, as she leaves the silk house for Hong Kong in the 1930s, arriving with a young orphan, Ji Shen, in her care. Her first job, in the home of a wealthy family, ends in disgrace, but soon Pei and Ji Shen find a new life in the home of Mrs. Finch, a British ex-patriate who welcomes them as the daughters she never had. Their idyllic life is interrupted, however, by war, and the Japanese occupation. Pei is once again forced to make her own way, struggling to survive and to keep her extended family alive as well. In this story of hardship and survival, Tsukiyama paints a portrait of women fighting the forces of war and time to make a life for themselves.
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

This is book 2 of a duo. I just finished the first and moved right into this one, which gave me a 60-year span in the life of Pei. After the Japanese begin occupying parts of China, she flees to Hong Kong. Life there is calmer and she finds some happiness until the Japanese reach the island. I like seeing how the author follows threads across both stories.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2021 #readingasia21 #hongkong

BarbaraBB I love it when that happens 4y
Librarybelle Glad you enjoyed this one as much as the first! 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle I‘m also super glad she has a big catalog of books for me to enjoy. I‘d call it medium-weight historical fiction. Not light and funny. But not overly intense, even during this brutal time. 4y
Crazeedi Beautiful cover💗 4y
BarbaraBB I learned a lot too from the two books I read by her. 4y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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This is why I love reading! The little factoids. Who knew that people walked their birds in cages (in Hong Kong circa 1950) and met up in teahouses specifically designed to accommodate them?

BarbaraJean I love this so much!! 4y
Suet624 That‘s wild! (edited) 4y
Ruthiella Totally one of the best byproducts of reading! 😀 4y
marleed Wow! 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @BarbaraJean @Suet624 @Ruthiella @marleed Here‘s an article with pictures. The tradition apparently continues to present day and has a centuries-long history. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/the-city-where-people-t... 4y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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No better way to escape reality for a little while. Pinot Grigio and a book! All I want right now is historical fiction ...

TrishB I‘m already in bed, but that wine looks nice 😁 4y
Ruthiella A perfect combo at the end of the day! 4y
Crazeedi This is a series? Looks interesting 4y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage @Crazeedi I think it‘s just a duology. But I really like it. 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Ruthiella Can‘t go wrong!! 4y
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Reita325
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Inspiring tale of a young girl with an indomitable spirit. Always a pleasure to read Gail Tsukiyama.