Author Eve J. Chung on Family Legacy in DAUGHTERS OF SHANDONG

About DAUGHTERS OF SHANDONG

Daughters are the Ang family’s curse.

In 1948, civil war ravages the Chinese countryside, but in rural Shandong, the wealthy, landowning Angs are more concerned with their lack of an heir. Hai is the eldest of four girls and spends her days looking after her sisters. Headstrong Di, who is just a year younger, learns to hide in plain sight, and their mother—abused by the family for failing to birth a boy—finds her own small acts of rebellion in the kitchen. As the Communist army closes in on their town, the rest of the prosperous household flees, leaving behind the girls and their mother because they view them as useless mouths to feed.

Without an Ang male to punish, the land-seizing cadres choose Hai, as the eldest child, to stand trial for her family’s crimes. She barely survives their brutality. Realizing the worst is yet to come, the women plan their escape. Starving and penniless but resourceful, they forge travel permits and embark on a thousand-mile journey to confront the family that abandoned them.

From the countryside to the bustling city of Qingdao, and onward to British Hong Kong and eventually Taiwan, they witness the changing tide of a nation and the plight of multitudes caught in the wake of revolution. But with the loss of their home and the life they’ve known also comes new freedom—to take hold of their fate, to shake free of the bonds of their gender, and to claim their own story.

Told in assured, evocative prose, with impeccably drawn characters, Daughters of Shandong is a hopeful, powerful story about the resilience of women in war; the enduring love between mothers, daughters, and sisters; and the sacrifices made to lift up future generations.

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[avivahana]

I really appreciate my good friend got me this book. I was born in Taiwan after my parents left China in 1949, so I can relate a lot with the stories in the book, e.g. my childhood in Taiwan, my parents escaping Communists before they took over China and the family left behind went through during the revolution. Thank you so much Eve for documenting (even you said it's a fiction, but so many things are so real to me) the important history in my generation, my parents' generation and my grandmother's generation in China. You have done such a wonderful job (well-written and detailed) and my appreciation is more than words can express. I'm going to pass the book to my daughter and later to her daughters, so they can understand what their elderly have gone through and how fortunate they are as today's girls in such a beautiful country.

[dianeobrien]

I could not put this book down! It is the most extraordinary historical novel that I have ever read. Eve, you accomplished your goal. I can absolutely see how the generations of women in your family grew from each other's strength.

[jimmychung]

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was an extremely well written and interesting book.

[bjraye]

This book gave me a new level of respect for Chinese people. I was full of rage in how your "great grandmother" was treated because she birthed girls. But I am so proud of how she persevered to save herself and her girls. This was a great read and I look forward to your next book.

[adukebaby]

I just finished reading the book. Absolutely loved it!

[joycelin]

Bravo!! I wonder if this book will be translated to other languages (including Chinese) because it is that good! I'd also wish "Daughters of Shandong" be made into a movie.

[afsanaakther]

"Author Eve J. Chung beautifully captures the complexities of family legacy in 'Daughters of Shandong, ' offering a poignant exploration of identity, sacrifice, and resilience."

[danielgong]

I’m also from Shandong. Unfortunately it’s one of my least favorite place. The culture there is/was very sexist and oppressive, both within the society and within the family. But I’m always interested in things related to Shandong, just to see if there are improvements over the years. Saw the book in Target, and later bought it online. Thanks.