My thanks goes to @netgalley for sending me this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

After seeing some glowing reviews from bookstas I hold in high esteem I couldn't help but request this wonderful book.
Totally out of my comfort zone, I was so scared that I wouldn't like it, but boy was I wrong!

This is an epic story that takes us through the decades from WWII in China to the present day in the US as we follow Meilin and her 4 year old son Renshu as they flee the bombing of their hometown Changsha finding refuge in Shanghai - and later, still struggling to survive, set sail for Tawain in search of peace and freedom.

Meilin was simply wonderful with her gentle soul and yet so resilient and brave. And Renshu, who manages to escape the shackles of communism by emigrating to the United States, never being able to shake off the fear installed in him!

Rather than reading this book, I savoured it like a good old wine, sip after sip every morning on my way to the office. An appointment I relished each day. I won’t deny that I teared up several times and had to squint to see the traffic!

I loved learning about Chinese culture and hearing about WWII from a different perspective. It was a real eye-opener!

The prose was exquisite and the little pearls of wisdom hidden in the stories Meilin told Renshu as a boy, will stay with me for a long time!

I’m afraid I won’t be able to look at a peach orchard without feeling a little sentimental now.

A special thanks to the narrator Eugenia Low for making this journey so special!

This was an incredibly interesting and deeply moving story. I learned so much from it! It's beautifully written with wonderfully evocative language and descriptions. It's narrated beautifully too. I didn't want it to end and highly recommend it. Was surprised to discover that this is the debut novel from this author and am looking forward to her next book already.

loved this story of family, war, survival and lost years. Starts in China during the WW@ when families had to flee from China not knowing who had perished or been taken prisoner. Trying to take care of children and start a new life with this heavy load must have been so hard, Not trusting many people and trying to reinvent yourself, showing no allegiances to any side or political party. The story ends with the newest member of the family who was born and raised in America but yearns to understand where she came from. Moving and emotional, emotional,cultural, historical & political all in one book centred around a family. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

I've recently started getting into audiobooks, so this review is going to be a bit biased towards the fact that I haven't got used to listening to books yet.

The narrator carried the entire novel on their back. I couldn't quite follow through and couldn't place the turning points either. The characters seemed lovely (judging from their descriptions) and honestly I can't wait to read more audiobooks!!!

Harrowing, evocative and stunningly written. I can see this book appealing to a large audience and think those with a hole left behind by Pachinko in particular should pick this up to fill that void. I found myself weeping multiple times.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this arc

I really enjoyed this, it was so powerful and sad! The emotions I felt while reading this are indescribable and I can only imagine how this genuinely felt and also the emotions the author went through.

This is such a good book

Such a stunning masterpiece! I absolutely loved listening to this on Audio, definitely easier than physically reading it as I wouldn’t be able to pronounce the names. Definitely recommend

This book is a great read for reflection when we are once again witnessing a great movement of people across countries as they flee their homeland. This migration in book takes place going on for 100 years ago but the tale is so familiar. I was aware of some of the history covered but to hear a personal (even if fictionally based) account brings such a time into focus.
I listened to the audio copy of this book and found it rather slow going so I think in this instance, I would recommend reading the book instead.

I’ll start off with a content warning that some readers may wish to be aware of - check out at the end of my review for more information.

So this one was told by 3 point of views: mum Meilin and her young son Renshu as they flee occupied China after Japan has invaded, their lives struggling to adjust as immigrants in Taiwan, and then as Renshu travels to America to continue his studies and start a new life as Henry with wife Rachel and their daughter Lily. Lily then adds the last character viewpoint.

For me, this was a real eye opener as I wasn’t familiar with China’s history, particularly it’s dabbling with democracy. The story starts in the 1930s and I think Meilin’s part of the story felt a bit lacking for me - it was harder to engage. But as they moved to Taiwan and Renshu added his own viewpoint, it really pulled me in.

There’s lots covered in Fu’s debut novel: immigration, war and the effects on the civilians caught in the crossfire, racism, interracial marriage, the westernisation of ethnic peoples, how your identity can be torn when your displaced from your home nation and culture and how you view your own sense of identity.

This was a great read, especially if you’re unaware of some of China’s history. I think I might have preferred the written book rather than the audiobook, as I didn’t really gel with the narrator.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Hachette UK Audio, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this review copy.
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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: there’s some detail of a sexual assault ⚠️

This book starts in 1938 when the Japanese are advancing in to China.

It is a really heartbreaking look at how young people had to flee their burning cities.

They can’t take much, but have to travel miles to escape.
The treasured possession - a beautifully illustrated hand scroll- offers comfort and wisdom as they escape.

Once settled in America the family are keen to understand there heritage, but the heartache makes it hard to talk about.

Peach Blossom Spring is a very moving book. The Hope for a better future, is all any parent wants for their family. Their search for a place to call home is a gripping read.

I read this as an ebook and then Netgalley allowed me to listen via audio book- I was not disappointed - the narrator really brought the story to life. Wonderfully produced.

Peach Blossom Spring is a beautiful story of resilience, identity, and migration.

It follows three generations of a Chinese family from 1938 to the 2000s. The story begins with Meilin, a young woman, forced to flee her home with her son Renshu when Japanese armies invade their village. Throughout many years of moving from place to place, fiercely independent Meilin uses her skills to support her small family.

The narrative transitions to Renshu’s perspective as he grows up and finds his place in the world, all the while trying to forget his past. Renshu shields his daughter from his traumatic childhood, even though she desperately wants to learn her heritage.

About sixty percent of this story takes place in China, another location, and the rest in America. The sections that focused on their lives in China were written in stunning and heart-wrenching detail. The ones set in America were still exquisitely told but were slightly less captivating.

This book explores belonging, identity, survival, and generational trauma.

The author was inspired to write this story based on her personal quest of learning her heritage.

This gorgeously written historical fiction account captivated me from its very first page. Before reading this, I knew little about the Second Sino-Japanese War, or the War of Aggression, as it’s called in this work. The story focuses on how the war affected civilians, mainly Meilin and Renshu. And later, how Nationalists and Communists fought for control over China and Taiwan.

Meilin, Renshu, and Lily are characters that will stick with me for some time to come.

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu: A beautifully woven novel about family, migration, and the power of stories - the story follows three generations of a Chinese family on their search for a place to call home.

This book was a wondrous and intimate journey of love, thrill and heartbreak and it slowly yet completely captivated me. Perfect for historical fantasy lovers.

The story follows Meilin, Renshu/Henry and Lily, through wars and trauma in China and Taiwan; moving continents as they yearn safety and their heritage. The characters felt real and relatable and their experiences immersive, riveting and heart wrenching. The narrative was vivid and full of depth - Each and every moment felt raw and tangible and I know it will stay with me for a long time to come.

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Blurb: It is 1938 in China, and the Japanese are advancing. A young mother, Meilin, is forced to flee her burning city with her four-year-old son, Renshu, and embark on an epic journey across China. For comfort, they turn to their most treasured possession - a beautifully illustrated hand scroll. Its ancient fables offer solace and wisdom as they travel through their ravaged country, seeking refuge.

Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. His daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, but he refuses to talk about his childhood. How can he keep his family safe in this new land when the weight of his history threatens to drag them down?

꧂

Thank you Melissa Fu, Netgalley and Headline forgiving me an advance reader copy of the book.


TW: Rape, Gaslighting, War & war torn anguish, loss and more loss

With every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so it goes, until the end of time.

It is 1938 in China, and the Japanese are advancing. A young mother, Meilin, is forced to flee her burning city with her four-year-old son, Renshu, and embark on an epic journey across China. For comfort, they turn to their most treasured possession - a beautifully illustrated hand scroll. Its ancient fables offer solace and wisdom as they travel through their ravaged country, seeking refuge.

Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. His daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, but he refuses to talk about his childhood. How can he keep his family safe in this new land when the weight of his history threatens to drag them down?

Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is a bold and moving look at the history of modern China, told through the story of one family. It's about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the search for a place to call home.


This book is stunning. I knew little about it when I requested it and I am so pleased that I took the risk of going for a new author. The story sweeps between three generations of a family from Meilin in China and Taiwan, her son Renshu who ends up in New Mexico, and her grandchild Lily who finally settles in NYC. The story switches between straightforward narrative to include traditional Chinese folk stories which really add to the flavour and atmosphere. I was wrapped up in the story and made time each day to listen often doing so instead of catching up with TV and the radio. There was so much going on: wars - not just WW2 (for example I learned about the Sino- Japanese War and how Taiwan and PROC fit in now), homelessness, grief and loss for both people and country, poverty, politics, and finally the way in which families operate often utterly impossible for an outsider to fathom).

This was a book to immerse myself in and I was sad when it ended wishing I could experience it again for the first time,

I 100% recommend this book which is now out in hardback.
With thanks to NetGalley and Wildfire for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I was so excited to receive this book, as it was one of my most anticipated books of the year.
I was first approved for the audiobook narrated by Eugenia Low, and this took so many attempts to get into the book. I found the narration slow and monotonous and my attention wandered constantly and I would be forever needing to rewind and refocus.
Then, as soon as I was approved for the ebook, this was a much better option for me. The book is beautifully written, and I was swept up in the story, feeling like I had expected to feel when reading it. Then the second half started, and I felt like it was a different book! The characters felt detached once again, and I again struggled to stay focused.
I did have high expectations but didn't feel they were met.

I really enjoyed this story following multiple generations of a family as they leave their home in China for Taiwan, and later settle in America. The characters felt so real and well rounded, their motivations and concerns always understandable, and the relationships between them felt realistically complex and full of depth. I felt it captured the sense of place and time very well. The audiobook narrator was excellent.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Peach Blossom Spring is a truly stunning book. A multi general epic charting the story of one family as they move from China to America via Taiwan.

Starting in 1938 and ending in 2005, this book covers an immense period of Chinese history including conflict with Japan, WWII and the civil war. While these events are very much present, the books main focus is on the effect they had at a personal and more intimate level. This includes the generational impact of trauma. While each generation is interlinked, Meilin, Renshu and Lily have their own experiences. Displacement and migration is a particular theme that they all grapple with and process differently.

This is such a beautifully written story with so much heart and emotion to. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of traditional Chinese story’s and fables.This is a story that will definitely stay with me for a long time.

Listening to this as an audiobook was a real joy, it worked perfectly in this format. The narrator was very good and easy to listen to, she gave Meilin, Renshu and Lily they’re own identities. The instrumental music at the beginning and end really set the atmosphere and added to the experience.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Multi-generational experience of 20th-century Chinese history and immigration.

It only took a little while to acclimatise to the style, the names and the setting of this on audiobook. One voice narrates over three generations, which I didn't even notice throughout, that both genders and their stories are read by a woman. The voice washed over me really, and the story actually worked better than I expected in the audio format.

Wild Swans was a true account of three generations, here we have a fictionalised account of 20th century Chinese history and cultural changes. First the generation born in China, who struggled and fought to survive the changes and the danger. Meilin is a mother searching for safety and security, for herself and her son, but adamant she will maintain her independence and not rely on others.

Renshu is the son betwixt and between. Born in China, who watches his mother struggle on his behalf, who is then offered the opportunity to escape and becomes our eyes on the immigrant experience, with his pull towards a new home but a tug backward from his roots.

And Lily is the first generation born in America, with a thirst to know of her roots, but no first-hand experience of them.

I enjoyed how the three interplayed, how the lives of each generation were affected by what politics has forced them to go through, and was continuing to enforce.

It felt possible to identify with each of them, though Renshu (later Henry) was the hardest, his inability to communicate or wish to share his experiences was less easy to understand.

It was sad at many points, with the loss of family connection running through as a thread. I was quite enchanted by the end, though I wanted a little more from China and Meilin who faded out of the story somewhat.

Bittersweet, moving and a revealing look at how different generations have experienced 20th-century China.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

‘To know a story is to carry it always, etched in his bones, even if dormant for decades. Tell us, they insist. To tell a story, he realises, is to plant a seed and let it grow.’

My thanks to Hachette U.K. Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘Peach Blossom Spring’ by Melissa Fu in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is narrated by Eugenia Low.

Fu’s debut novel is a sweeping family saga set in China, Taiwan, and the USA.

The novel opens in 1938 China as the Japanese army are advancing. A young mother, Meilin, is forced to flee her burning city with her four-year-old son, Renshu, and embark on an epic journey across China and eventually settling in Taiwan.

Their most treasured possession is a beautifully illustrated hand scroll; its ancient fables offer solace and wisdom as they travel through their ravaged country, seeking refuge.

Years later Renshu has moved to America and taken the name Henry Dao. He meets Rachel, a librarian, and eventually they marry and have a daughter, Lily. As she grows up Lily becomes desperate to understand her heritage, but her father refuses to talk about his childhood.

‘Peach Blossom Spring’ spans continents and decades and utilises the story of one family to chronicle the tumultuous history of modern China as well as the Chinese-American experience.

In her Acknowledgements Melissa Fu advises that she had wanted to write about her father’s fruit trees and to celebrate “the abundance and happiness my father eventually found”. Still, she stresses that even though “its characters and my family travelled along many of the same roads, the story is primarily a work of my imagination.”

While I wasn’t aware of the genesis of the novel while reading, it was clear that Melissa Fu had taken care to present the story of these three generations with sensitivity. As in most family sagas there are failures and triumphs, both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments.

With respect to the audiobook edition, Eugenia Low is a British East/South East Asian actor. While quite new to audiobook narration, she is an experienced character actor with stage and screen credits. I found her narration excellent, moving fluidly between the novel’s various characters as well as conveying the essence of Melissa Fu’s storytelling. I hope she will narrate more audiobooks in the future.

Overall, ‘Peach Blossom Spring’ proved a beautifully written novel infused with lyrical imagery, wisdom, and compassion.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Peach Blossom Spring follows the story of Meilin and then Renshu. It’s a multi-generational story that begins in 1938, continuing through until the 2000’s.

Meilin is forced to flee her home as a young woman with her son Renshu when the army comes to take over their village.
This story shows her strength and resilience. It highlights the fact that a mother will do anything to protect her child.

Through the book the story turns to a grown up Renshu and his perspective. Trying to protect his children and give them a better childhood than he had. He wants to shield them from his past traumas but in doing so is turning his back on the culture that his mother fought so hard to try and instil in him.

Peach Blossom Spring is the fabulous debut novel from Melissa Fu. Who’s talent knows no bounds. I enjoyed this book from the moment I started until I finished.
I enjoyed the content set in China the most because it is so unknown to me. Historical fiction is fast becoming a one to watch for me. I particularly love the fact that Peach Blossoms symbolise the beginning of spring! A time of year full of hope for the brighter days and sunnier weather to come. A must read.

What a beautiful piece of writing. I feel like I've been graced with such a privilege to have read this book. This is my first ever audiobook from Netgalley and I really hope they will all be such a sweet experience.

Beginning during the Sino-Japanese war in 1938, just before WW2 would break out in Europe, and stretching in time, to the mid 2000s, we follow the Dao family on their journey across China, to Taiwan and eventually to the US. When the Japanese forces are advancing and a fire has engulfed their home, Mailin must take her 4 year old son Renshu and flee with him. She is the sort of character that instantly draws you to her. Brave and wise well beyond her years she protects her son and does her best by him throughout their journey. Through an antique scroll that she carries with her, she passes stories on to her son and his cousins and helps to comfort them as their world is turned upsidedown. We follow Renshu onwards into adulthood where he has a family of his own and with Rachel, his wife, raises another strong and resilient woman, Lily. But who is Lily, what does her ancestry mean to her, and what does it mean to inherit her father's stories.

The timing of this book's release, the generational trauma we can see passed from Mailin, through Renshu and on to Lily, as a result of war, displacement and an insecure childhood, feels poignant at the time I write this review, with similar unsettling events occurring in the world. These events shape lives in such unexpected ways and this book does such a good job of exploring that. It is peppered with ancient Chinese tales that will probably be familiar to many and are lovely to happen upon as you listen.

The narration of the audiobook is gorgeous and really transports you into the story. A genuinely enjoyable and immersive experience.