a captivating and immersive novel that offers a unique perspective on one of the most complex cultural contexts in history. McCrea's exquisite prose and meticulous research bring to life the complex dynamics between the Mao sisters, weaving a narrative that is both intimate and epic in scope.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Wonderfully written, a great story with beautifully crafted characters that intertwine in an unsuspected way.
I loved the way it looks into ideologism and how it applies to real life, and also its repercussions on family relationships (in particular mother and daughter relationship).
Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was absolutely brilliant - the characters, the structure, the story. The amount of research that must have gone into this must have been absolutely insane. I loved the juxtaposition of the two main stories (London and China) and thought this was overall a really brave, bold way of telling the story. Congratulations to the author for pulling off such a feat! Many thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for the ARC.

McCrea's "The Sisters Mao" is definitely my cup of tea; wonderfully written, fast-paced and with beautifully crafted characters, this is a novel worth reading.

Wonderfully written, a great story with beautifully crafted characters that intertwine in an unsuspected way.
I loved the way it looks into ideologism and how it applies to real life, and also its repercussions on family relationships (in particular mother and daughter relationship).
Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Family, revolution, theatre and politics. Sisters Iris and Eva in 1960s London plan an attack - in 1970s Beijing, Madam Mao uses a ballet performance to get back at her enemies. Good pace, well written and characters you will remember in this "family" saga.

In London, sisters Iris and Eva, members of a radical performance collective, plan an attack on the West End theatre where their mother is playing the title role in Miss Julie. Meanwhile in Beijing, Jiang Qing, Chairman Mao’s wife, rehearses a gala performance of her model ballet, The Red Detachment of Women, which she will use in order to attack her enemies in the Party.

As the preparations for these two astonishing performances unfold, Iris, Eva, and Jiang Qing are transformed into unforgettable protagonists in a single epic drama. The three ‘sisters’, although fighting very different personal battles, find themselves bound together by the passions of love, by the obsessions of power, and by the forces of history.

I absolutely adored this book! I could not put it down, If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love this!