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I definitely recommend reading this one instead of listening to it! There are a lot of characters and time changes, and with the audio I was lost. But there is a family chart with time periods at the beginning, and that made it much easier to follow.

I loved the way this wrapped up. It focuses on many generations of daughters, all starting with Afong Moy. It explores generational trauma and mother daughter relationships.

Venkman says hi!

Loved it!!

Sorta like a nesting doll, this books spans several generations of women connected by trauma, but also by love. And eventually, by the possibility of reshaping the past to offer hope for the future.

This was my first time reading anything by Jamie Ford and I am so excited that he's now one of my favourite authors. I love the way he writes and in awe of how he creatively wove together 6 different storylines--all Asian women--leaving nothing to the imagination as he describes them so intimately and powerful in their own right. Ford blew my mind with this literary piece of fiction and can't wait to get my hands on his next work.

The next row of my #readinglogsnake is The Many Daughters of Afong Moy. This was a fantastic read that explores how trauma experienced with one person can impact future generations. After reading, I took some time to think through my personal trauma and the potential it has of impacting my own descendants. Also, I loved how the author chose a person from #AAIP history (Afong Moy aka The Chinese Lady). 5/5 ⭐️ #ARRCReads #BooksAndCrafts

This book is an incredibly creative way to discuss generational trauma and how it can continue to affect those later on in time. Seeing how all of these women dealt with the pain and suffering of their times, but also they strength that derived from those struggles was exceptionally powerful. Can we be destined for pain and suffering or can we overcome and change our paths by learning from those that have gone before?

Did I decide last minute to drive to Chelsea, Michigan to see Jamie Ford speak at the Midwest Literary Walk? Yes. Yes, I did.

My favorite book this year so far 😍 The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

And please enjoy the hard work I put into NOT getting a bingo 🤣 #bookspinbingo

So so so good. Generational curses, love that is more than love all female protagonists, LGBTQIA character, just so many great things about this heart touching book.

This novel is told from the perspectives of the five generations of women preceding the main character, Dorothy, who is living in Seattle in the 2040s. The audiobook has a different narrator for each perspective. The book looks at generational trauma, misogyny, and racism. The characters are well developed, and each setting is detailed and immersive. The ending was a bit too neat for me, but I enjoyed my time with this book.

The author‘s introduction is extremely helpful for understanding the manner in which the stories unfold. It can become confusing as there are “many daughters of Afong” as the title states. The theme of the story is the concept of epigenetic trauma. The idea that certain experiences and memories can be “inherited” in some way. The author focuses on the life of a real person, Afong Moy, who was the first Chinese woman to land in America in 1836.

My #January reading #wrapup!

Ya'll. YA'LL! I've been a huge fan of Jamie Ford since 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' and his newest book might be his best yet. Ford manages link multiple characters and multiple timelines in a thoughtful study of the intergenerational transmission of trauma. It's timely and beautiful, if at times, heartbreaking.

Read this book. And if you don't already follow Jamie Ford on social media, I'd highly recommend it. He's charming.

4✨ I really enjoyed some of the POVs that were in different time lines. I struggle being engaged with time jumping books, but this one was not too bad. I appreciate when authors separate the points of view by chapter which did happen her. We follow each character through their life, but we also have a connection with ancestry. #OnceUponABookClub

I really really enjoyed Jamie Ford's writing style. He interwove the narratives of multiple generations of women in such an intricate way that it emphasized the theme of generational trauma. The ending was beautiful and perfect, as was the whole book. I was gasping, laughing, and tearing up throughout.

Also, funnily enough, a local theater is putting on a production about Afong Moy soon and I'm excited to go see it.

I'm really enjoying this author's style.

Transgenerational ✨ Inheritance ✨ Determinism

NOTES: I am confused why a male author would decide to write a book about mothers, daughters,and their shared trauma when the idea of epigenetics and race is interesting enough to stand on its own. The women‘s experience is central to Ford‘s narration, and I feel like the overall story lost credibility for me, knowing it is being told from someone who can only imagine what that experience is like.

Final grades are in, the last of my Christmas orders are shipped, I'm stocked up on coffee, and I'm ready to be a hermit during this insane arctic blast that's coming through the Midwest. Hope everyone is staying warm & cozy! 🥰📚

Just when I thought I couldn‘t detest a character more… the character pulled that! Ugh… poor Afong! 😤😭

Currently reading 🤓

I like books that switch characters from chapter to chapter, but this one was a hard listen with so much trauma and tragedy. Don‘t skip the acknowledgments, it has some interesting historical context for many of the daughters.

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, while written phenomenally, I couldn‘t get fully invested. Incredible description of breaking the cycle of generational trauma. Throughout the different generations. Just never clicked for me. This is not one for those looking for a happy story. This is about hurtful -yet needed- healing. The many perspective times confused me. #ouabc

I'm very excited for this one. ✨️

I really didn‘t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I thought it was a beautifully written book with a powerful message. I had planned on reading it anyway because it was a Read With Jenna pick but when I received it as my OUABC selection I enjoyed it even more. The gifts were great and I have yet to be disappointed with this box!

Full review: https://rb.gy/bonyjg

This book explores the concepts behind generational trauma through the eyes of one family line. While I personally don't believe in the concept of generational trauma, I thought this was a beautifully-written book. However, I did not like how the author chose not to complete the “real“ version of each story arc, instead allowing Dorothy's experiences to rewrite each tale. 3/5 stars

An interesting, creative mix of historical fiction & magical realism. Brilliant, atmospheric writing with unique, dynamic characters. Multiple POVs & time jumping that is well done, but could be problematic for some. Emotional & full of generational sadness & historical misogyny. The multiple stories are woven together very deftly resulting in a beautiful, epic story that is both entertaining & contemplative. A great thought piece & lovely novel.

It took a bit for my thumb to go up but this ended up a strong pick. Often times in sweeping family sagas I like the early story more than the later (I‘m thinking Pachinko). I liked how this story was not sequential and chapters revisited daughters already introduced - it stopped me from picking a favorite time. Epigenetics - google here I come. September #DoubleSpin

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Review is up on my blog!

https://reecaspieces.com/2022/08/25/the-many-daughters-of-afong-moy-by-jamie-for...

When you only take one small bookcase but you “narrowed down” to 8 boxes of books…. you make piles (and some just don‘t get unpacked…)

I know people (including the author) has described this as a love story but this book (with the help of damn hormones too I am sure) put me deep in the throes of melancholy.

It was a very good read, despite the multi-generational sadness.

It was hard to keep track of the characters and timelines so maybe take a picture or bookmark the family tree at the beginning.

Best day of the month! My #botm box arrived today! 🎉🎉🎉 It's perfect timing too, because I just saw that my library hold on the tagged book came in today! I totally forgot I put a hold on it months ago! 😂🤣 I think I may wait to read Small Angels until September/October since it's supposed to be a bit spooky! 🍁

This book was so very good. It tracks a family for 200 years with multiple timelines and characters. I was so enthralled by the writing and the characters! So far as celebrity book club choices goes this month I‘ve enjoyed my time with the selections. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 read! #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

These came today , I am WAY behind on #BOTM.
Always nice to get #bookmail

Head about this one on my favorite podcast. I finally had a chance to look at #BOTM choices. I‘m definitely taking a chance on Ruth ware‘s latest.

This is a beautifully written story inspired by the study of epigenetics. Encompassing many genres (from historical fiction to a touch of sci-fi), it is at times confusing as it jumps from character to character and over 200 years, and yet was a wonderful story. The well developed characters left me longing for more about each of them...always a good sign. This would be a lovely choice for book clubs. I really liked it - 4/5 stars.

Expected publication date: 6/28/2022

Interesting premise and a thoroughly enjoyable book.

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a fictional story that spans across seven generations of Chinese women. Epigenetics is the main theme which suggests that earlier generations, who have experienced trauma, fears, unusual proclivities etc, can have these issues passed on to future generations without changing their DNA.

I love when authors do this. 😍👆

This book is magnificent. It's my first time with this author and it makes me want to go back and read the others. The author imagines the lives of the daughters of the first Chinese woman to set foot in the US. And the epigenetic footprint of ancestral trauma.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Pub date is 6/28/22
#ARC #Netgalley #Atria