The Concubines Children
12 journalers for this copy...
Picked this up at a used bookstore because I saw it on Guinaveve's Wish list, and also thought it would be a great addition to the "You Go Girl!" Bookbox. I am including it, with a note to save (if possible) for Guinaveve herself.
:)
:)
Thank you. It was so nice to find a book on my wish list in the bookbox. I look forward to reading it. I have recently read other books along these lines and can't help but be fascinated by them.
This book was fascinating. It is interesting to read about the lives of people with such different customs, ones that I am mostly unfamiliar with, except through books like this one. I feel so frustrated for the women in this book, leading lives whose paths were chosen for them. Their are countless examples of things that are hard for me to understand. For instance, one woman's husband left her and their four children behind for a mistress. Although man and wife have no contact for 25 years, when the mistress dies and the man falls ill, he writes his wife to announce he will be coming home so that she can care for him until his death. This is not really the main focus of the book, just a side note in the lives of others. Anyway, the book told of one family living in two parts of the world- China and Canada. The main focus is on the Canadain family because the author is a grand-daughter of the Canadian side of the family and probably knew more history from that aspect. Both aspects of life in Canada and China are well represented. The book is filled with personal history and accounts along with some political background information from both countries which was necessary to understand why people felt the way they did and made some desicions.
This book is part of my challenge- Keep Them Moving Release Challenge. This is a challenge I started in which people are supposed to read and release books given to them by other Bookcrossers and do it throughout October and November.
I think this book is interesting enough to turn into a bookring. Hopefully others will be as intrigued by it as I was.
I tried to honor everyone's shipping preferences to the best of my abilities.
affinity4books (Texas, prefers US, will do Canada)
vibrant-art (Canada, ship North America, prefers Canada)
Breeze144 (in Canada)
Hellie (England)
Piggeldy (Germany)
amberC (in Australia, prefers Australia shipping if possible)
leeess (in Australia, prefers Australia shipping if possible)
Wandering-B (Hong Kong)
Icila (France)
guinaveve (back to me, in the US)
Journal Entry 4 by guinaveve at Fellow BookCrosser in By mail / post / courier, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, October 20, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (10/21/2005 UTC) at Fellow BookCrosser in By mail / post / courier, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Enjoy!
Arrived safely in Texas today! After a book drought of sorts for a few weeks, two bookrings arrived today~ I have already read the introduction and it sounds really good.
Wow, what a neat account of a woman researching and learning about her family and what they went through over the years, as well as an interesting story illuminating cultural differences and customs- I really enjoyed all the aspects of this book including the family photos. Chong is a wonderful writer. It was a bittersweet reunion at the end for me- and how eye-opening that however much one family member suffered and wished for a different life, others in very different circumstances were suffering as well. I was glad that Winnie (with the help of John) was able to create a loving environment for her children and not repeat the dysfunctional cycle that she had been born into- very inspirational.
Other first hand accounts of living in China during Revolutionary times that I've read and reccommend are: Desert Rose (nonfiction) by Weijun Mary Collins, and Red Azalea (nonfiction) and Becoming Madame Mao (fiction) by Anchee Min.
Thanks for sharing this touching story. Will be mailed out to Canada shortly.
Other first hand accounts of living in China during Revolutionary times that I've read and reccommend are: Desert Rose (nonfiction) by Weijun Mary Collins, and Red Azalea (nonfiction) and Becoming Madame Mao (fiction) by Anchee Min.
Thanks for sharing this touching story. Will be mailed out to Canada shortly.
Released 18 yrs ago (11/17/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
mailed off today Economy Letter post
mailed off today Economy Letter post
This book has arrived and I've just started reading.....
thanks for the opportunity to read this book!
thanks for the opportunity to read this book!
A fascinating story...particularly seeing at the end how the lives and prospects of the two sides of the family are so different because of where the children of the next generation were born. It is difficult to delve into family secrets like this and yet be respectful and give the characters/ancestors a sense of grace and worth despite their shortcomings--I thought the author did this really well!
Will be contacting Breeze144 soon and shipping this along....
Will be contacting Breeze144 soon and shipping this along....
Received today!
Thank you for the beautiful bookmarks!
Thank you for the beautiful bookmarks!
Wow, what an interesting read this was! I always love reading about parts of the world I have never been to or cultures that I'm not familiar with. For most of the book it was easy to think that it was fiction, but then at the end when the point of view switches to the author's personal account of growing up and meeting these people and her impression of them....totally makes it hit home what an unbelievable split there was between this family.
I really enjoyed reading this, so thank you to everyone for this opportunity!
Have Hellie's address! Will be sent out in the next few days!
I really enjoyed reading this, so thank you to everyone for this opportunity!
Have Hellie's address! Will be sent out in the next few days!
Journal Entry 12 by Breeze144 at Bookring in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, January 20, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/20/2006 UTC) at Bookring in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Finally sent this out today! Hope everyone else enjoys it!
Finally sent this out today! Hope everyone else enjoys it!
Journal Entry 13 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 15, 2006
ARRIVED TODAY LOOKS REALLY GOOD. THANKS FOR LOOVELY BOOKMARK TOO. COUPLE AHEAD OF IT BUT WILL GET TO IT SOON!
This bookring appears to be stalled with Hellie. When I inquired some time ago, she assured me that it would be moved along very soon. I have inquired of her again and hopefully it will reach her since she is difficult to contact.
Journal Entry 15 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hi
REALLY sorry I know its no excuse but life has been insane and I REALLY thought I'd sent this one on its way or I'd have journalled to explain.
Have pm'd nona35 for address...if no rep[ly by end week I'm away next Tuesday for a week,..but it 'll be in mail soon as I get back..hopefully before Tues if I get an address.
Hellie
REALLY sorry I know its no excuse but life has been insane and I REALLY thought I'd sent this one on its way or I'd have journalled to explain.
Have pm'd nona35 for address...if no rep[ly by end week I'm away next Tuesday for a week,..but it 'll be in mail soon as I get back..hopefully before Tues if I get an address.
Hellie
Journal Entry 16 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Thursday, September 14, 2006
Still awaiting address so I can send this on......not heard from next person yet.......
Didn't want anyone to think it was still stalled as such..it;s just awaiting instructions!
Thanks
Didn't want anyone to think it was still stalled as such..it;s just awaiting instructions!
Thanks
Hellie-
I have contacted Piggeldy. I will move Nona35 down the list if she pops back up later. Piggeldy should contact you via PM and at the email you have posted on your shelf. Please update with a new journal entry when you have sent the book on.
Thanks
I have contacted Piggeldy. I will move Nona35 down the list if she pops back up later. Piggeldy should contact you via PM and at the email you have posted on your shelf. Please update with a new journal entry when you have sent the book on.
Thanks
Journal Entry 18 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, September 29, 2006
still awaiting address......just so you all know
Please PM AmberC for her address. I will move the other two farther down the line if they like. AmberC is active and should reply. Make sure to give her your email address because of your PM problems.
Thanks
Thanks
Hellie, please send me my book back. I have tried to help you move this along by sending the address of the next participant via PM and your email which you have listed on your profile. I have posted on the forum. I have had the next participant email you and PM you with her address. I have made repeated journal entries here for this book urging you to move the book along. I feel like I have done more than enough to help you move this book on to the next participant. You have had this books since February. I urge you to look up my address on RABCK.com and get this back to me since it is too much trouble for you to send it to the next person. I will take care of the rest of the participants when I am able to afford overseas postage from US to Australia.
Journal Entry 21 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, October 28, 2006
Hi
Got update....and message
Really really sorry. Got the address then got new job, and in all the excitement I kind of forgot all about it. I PROMISE it will be in the mail by this time next week at the latest. Hopefully Ill get out of work earlier Tues as at dentist, in which case can catch po on way home!
will journal when do.
Got update....and message
Really really sorry. Got the address then got new job, and in all the excitement I kind of forgot all about it. I PROMISE it will be in the mail by this time next week at the latest. Hopefully Ill get out of work earlier Tues as at dentist, in which case can catch po on way home!
will journal when do.
Journal Entry 22 by Hellie at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, November 13, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (11/13/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Tried to journal last week a couple times but got 'oage cannot be displayed message'
Was posted to next person last week..might take 3-4 weeks. Happy reading and sooooooooooooooooooooo sorry for delay!
X
Tried to journal last week a couple times but got 'oage cannot be displayed message'
Was posted to next person last week..might take 3-4 weeks. Happy reading and sooooooooooooooooooooo sorry for delay!
X
The book arrived here safely! I am currently reading "The Good Women of China", which I should finish within the next two weeks; after that I'll start reading this one.
Edit, February 20th: Sorry, forgot to edit... Sometimes I got confused with all these strange names, but I liked reading the book.
It's on its way to Australia since January 26th, via surface mail.
Edit, February 20th: Sorry, forgot to edit... Sometimes I got confused with all these strange names, but I liked reading the book.
It's on its way to Australia since January 26th, via surface mail.
Arrived safely today. I have few other bookrings before this one.
A fascinating look at a family divided betwenn two countries. I don't know how a mother could leave her children in another country. It seemed a very balanced and fair look at the different generations and what was expected from the family members.
Posting to leeess tomorrow.
Posting to leeess tomorrow.
A fascinating look at a family divided betwenn two countries. I don't know how a mother could leave her children in another country. It seemed a very balanced and fair look at the different generations and what was expected from the family members.
Posting to leeess tomorrow.
Posting to leeess tomorrow.
Received today from AmberC.
Looks very inviting!!
Thanks for sharing guinaveve.
Cheers,
Leeess
Looks very inviting!!
Thanks for sharing guinaveve.
Cheers,
Leeess
After a few false starts in finding another recipient for this book, I posted it to Wandering B in Hong Kong today. However, she's away on holiday until mid-August, so it will be awaiting her return.
Cheers,
Leeess
Cheers,
Leeess
Just got back from vacation and found this one waiting for me. Can''t wait to get to it. Thanks for sending it.
What an interesting tale of family and obligations. I live in Hong Kong and it made it much more clear to me just how important family obligations are. Holidays honoring ancestors are still held to this day, and it was interesting to note that the males in the family are the ones to whom the honor of worshiping the ancestors falls. Women were just expected to worship their husband''s family. The whole gender bias towards males makes more sense after reading this book. Interesting story of a difficult journey!
Have emailed for the next address.
Thanks again for sharing this book.
Have emailed for the next address.
Thanks again for sharing this book.
Received today. Thanks a lot for the beautiful stamps.
A very interesting story by many points. I knew a few about Chinese people ways of life but it's vezy amazing to read about the quasi non existence of the women and their acceptance of the fact.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Pming the next.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Pming the next.
Wihout news from Drusillamac and Rains-Arms, I PM the next on the list...
Hooray!!! This book has made it home. I am reserving it for a bookbox made up of well traveled books that I am putting together.
Thanks to all the participants. I hope you found this book interesting.
Thanks to all the participants. I hope you found this book interesting.
Released 16 yrs ago (2/29/2008 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I have included this book in my "Well Traveled" Bookbox.
I have included this book in my "Well Traveled" Bookbox.
Pulled from well traveled bookbox - thanks for sharing!
