An interesting look at a family of Chinese descent during the California Gold Rush. Structurally this is a bit uneven, but definitely an author to watch.

To me is a no star book. The prose was too stilted, ( a word then a period) could only get to page 30! It felt the words were SHOT at you. The story wasn't interesting either - too much of decomposing body of father being dragged around to find 'home' to bury.

Booker long list. This is an epic family saga that paints a different picture of the American West and American dream and a different perspective on the immigrant experience. Interesting.

Incredibly interesting! Both in the terms of the plot and the lyrical writing style. It is heart wrenching and brutal sometimes and achingly beautiful other times. A different view of how the west was settled. She squeezes in so much, not only an adventure story and a story of the lives of Chinese people in gold country, but also an environmental message, will of which is so necessary for this time.

I was surprised by the lyrical quality to the writing based on the descriptions of this book. The desert is almost a character at one point. I loved the history it contained and the characters.

Lucy and Sam are the daughters of Chinese immigrants who arrive to make their mark on the gold fields of California only to face bitter disappointment. Debut writer Zhang plums the depths of America’s manifest destiny myths to tell this family story of two young plucky orphans. Definitely echoes Faulkner’s 'As I Lay Dying.' 'Washington Post' reviewer said, ‘Because the reader’s vision of Sam is predominantly Lucy’s, the novel shows how the stories we tell ourselves and others are often incomplete — and that goes double for the stories we tell about other people. “Isn’t that the greatest joke?” Sam asks Lucy late in the book as she denounces the “gold men” who claim this land as theirs alone.’

Quite a story, if more like fable, than realistic fiction. Bleak, at times. Last third has better pace. Kirkus reviewer sums up this way: ‘The journey of these two children—and the backstories of their parents—force us to confront just how white the history we’ve been taught is. Aside from fictions—some fanciful inventions, some hateful lies—about Native Americans, we don’t hear much about the experiences of people of color and immigrants in shaping the West. Zhang asks readers to acknowledge a legacy we have been taught to ignore by creating a new and spellbinding mythology of her own.’ I got Zhang’s big themes, but was left unfulfilled. I thought I’d like this more.

A short, immersive read, and the language and storytelling are exquisite. I look forward to more from this author.