The Lost Daughter of Happiness

Book Description

Critics

• The Lost Daughter of Happiness-- book review

  The Lost Daughter of Happiness Geling Yan Hyperion East Hardcover 276 pages April 2001 In her novel The Lost Daughter of Happiness, Geling Yan presents a heartbreaking account of life during San Francisco's Gold Rush era, full of sadness, love, desir ... (read full critics)

  curledup published on Tue, 7 Sep 2010

• The Lost Daughter of Happiness

  It isn't often that I read a book in one sitting. THE LOST DAUGHTER OF HAPPINESS (just released by Faber and Faber in paperback) was one -- admittedly partly because it is not a taxing read -- but also because the characters don't let you go. THE LOS ... (read full critics)

  asianreviewofbooks published on Tue, 31 Aug 2010

1 Review

• 

  I was given this book by a friend who read it but didn't care for it so she offered it to me. At first I wasn't sure as I'm not terribly keen on modern Chinese literature (the little I've read) but saw the author was the same woman who wrote "xiu xiu the sent down girl" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt ... (continue)

  I was given this book by a friend who read it but didn't care for it so she offered it to me. At first I wasn't sure as I'm not terribly keen on modern Chinese literature (the little I've read) but saw the author was the same woman who wrote "xiu xiu the sent down girl" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115005/ which is one of my favourite films terribly disturbing and sad. So I became curious.

  I loved this story. The main character Fusang was a perfect embodiment of everything Laozi suggested. She was weak, yielding, unintelligent and untouchable. The book took a stark look at the history of racism against Chinese immigrants in the 19th century and with the new 5th wave. The author spent part of the book carrying out a one sided dialogue with the main character that I found rather touching. (If a little confusing at first). The style reminded me a lot of the early 20th century Chinese writers who littered their prose with descriptions of physical unpleasantness. Even translated it came across beautifully.

  I shall have to add this to my list of books to read in Chinese when I'm able. (Hopefully in a year or so). In the meantime I've added her other books translated into English books to my amazon wishlist. I'm very glad to have discovered this author.

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  Robot-mel said on Apr 13, 2008 | Add your feedback

Book Details

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• English Books
• Paperback 288 Pages
• Edition: New Ed
• ISBN-10: 0571207669
• ISBN-13: 9780571207664
• Publisher: Faber and Faber
• Pub date: Sep 16, 2002
• Dimensions: 1226 mm x 839 mm x 129 mm Just how big is that?
• Also available as: Hardcover

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