!” The story of this book was so very interesting, but I think Tsukiyama could have taken it even further. It is absolutely amazing. Contrary to the silk work being along the lines of forced labor it is actually an opportunity for the. Although there’s not much of a plot in Women of the Silk, the appealing characters, detailed descriptions of setting, and themes of women’s independence and communal living, kept me reading. I just love this woman's writing! Buy Women of the Silk by online on Amazon.ae at best prices. Her stories capture emotions and you feel like you have a co-pilot seat in experiencing the character's transformation. It reminded me a little of one of my summer reads "The Blood of Flowers" which I liked even more than this. Please see the supplementary resources provided below for other helpful content related to this book. Got it off my grandmother's back porch when she was getting rid of a bunch of books, but was sad to find it not really worth reading. Her return home, the descriptions of her homeland, and of her parents moved me a great deal. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. This work of historical fiction takes us to early 20th century China and the unique position of the women who worked in the silk factories in lieu of marriage, in order to help their families survive hard times. Her stories capture emotions and you feel like you have a co-pilot seat in experiencing the character's transformation. The book was published in multiple languages including English, consists of 278 pages and is available in Paperback format. WOMEN OF THE SILK. This book should have been a nonfiction book presenting the silk factories. If you are just starting with Gail Tsukiyama then I recommend starting with this book. There was so much I enjoyed and learned from this book that this easily could have been a top read if only certain incidents didn't take me away from the book. Women of the Silk, eBook de . In Women of the Silk, Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn until dusk. So while the hours were long at the silk factory, many women chose to remain unmarried and employed there because they had some independence and money. It is hard to imagine a young girl child being left by her father to do such difficult work. The book follows the life of Pei, a country girl who is sent to work in a silk factory to help support her family. It seems incomprehensible in an era where young people frequently don't have any chores to do, that a young child would have to shoulder so much responsibility - yet Pei, was able to adapt to the situation due to the love of those around her. It seems incomprehensible in an era where young people frequently don't have any chores to do, that a young child would have to shoulder so much res. This book had such potential, yet failed to deliver. There is so much to learn and this book is yet another part of China which I had no idea about. This is a good read, quite fast, and make me want to pick up the sequel, "The Language of Threads.". The reader cannot help but feel anger at the owner of the factory who sees only the bottom line and not the inhumane conditions that these young workers have to endure. This was the society of China in the early 1900's. The synopsis of the book stated that it was about a strike at a silk factory in rural China in the 1920’s and 1930’s, but it was about so much more than that. Come to find out, this grueling labor actually gave these women a kind of freedom from traditional marriage roles, as they lived independently, off their own earnings. I just love this woman's writing! The story continues through the time of Pei's employment for a dominant, arrogant Chinese family, then a wonderful English woman who supports and befriends Pei. Women of the Silk. Feb 10, … This is a fantastic read and will have you laughing and smiling one minute and completely aghast and crying the next. Motherly Auntie Yee ran a home for the young girls working in the silk factory, and a sisterhood developed among the lonely girls. It follows Pei, a Chinese girl in the years between the first and second World Wars, who is sent away to work in a silk factory. Pei's father had no choice but to trade this daughter in order to keep his farm. I like boys, damnit! Description. Gail Tsukiyama is Chinese/Japanese American and her books take place mostly in China/Hong Kong around the second World War. Tsukiyama follows a young girl, Pei, through to her years as a young adult, having been left without explanation at the silk factory by her father when she was little. Slowly, we see how devastatingly back breaking it is to work in the silk factories. Pei is one of the several Chinese daughters born to a poverty stricken fish farm family, dominated the father. Women of the Silk, was the debut novel written by Gail Tsukiyama first published in 1991. Ms. Tsukiyama is a new to me author. It always astonishes me how far China has come over the past 100 years. October 15th 1993 Everything she says is like a poem and the beauty is so evident in the small parts like when she describes the preparation of food or the city sights and smells as the character goes on a walk through town. unpredictable acts that it is very difficult to put down. - I think this book hit strongly on both of those parts. I read this book several years ago and remember it with fondness. Welcome back. Some of the girls were taken back by their families later to be sold in to marriage. Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama About the Book In WOMEN OF THE SILK, Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. Born into a … By Holly Carter. But I hadn't realised that before the Revolution this was a female industry (apart, alas as usual from the owners) and the reasons why and how girls came to work in these silk factories is beautifully and often realistically described in this beautiful book. We all know about the cruelties and horror of the cultural revolution, but China's people endured so much even before that and they are definitely a race of survivors, especially it's women who seem to have always taken on the major burdens. The characters draw you in despite or because of their innocence, determination and bravery. How a young woman, copes with these hardships is told here in a compelling story of sisterhood, finding inner strength, and standing up for closely. Refresh and try again. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published I loved it! The book opens in … Her novels include, “Don’t ever think that just because you do things differently, you’re wrong.”, “Nothing ever stands still, and neither should you.”, See 2 questions about Women of the Silk…, Women Of the Silk / Gail Tsukiyama - 3***, Mar 20 - Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama. This was a very interesting read. It is hard to imagine a young girl child being left by her father to do such difficult work. Women of the Silk Road. The novel follows Pei from childhood as she leaves her poor family and joins a “sisterhood” of silk workers in a village near Canton, China in the early 20th century. China has always fascinated me, it's culture, history and the sheer tenacity of it's people, especially those which have started from nothing. In Women of the Silk, Gail Tsukiyama takes listeners back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amid the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. She was sent to work in a silk factory with her wages returning to her family each month. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. The book stops just before the war when the Japanese are already roaming through China and I have to try and get the follow up book as soon as possible. China has always fascinated me, it's culture, history and the sheer tenacity of it's people, especially those which have started from nothing. Pei, the main character, felt much discomfort while living at home with her family. The synopsis of the book stated that it was about a strike at a silk factory in rural China in the 1920’s and 1930’s, but it was about so much more than that. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. And set during a time and place, early 20th century China (1919 - 1938), when equality for women was as strange a concept as man going to the moon, only adds to its spell. This book had such potential, yet failed to deliver. Everything she says is like a poem and the beauty is so evident in the small parts like when she describes the preparation of food or the city sights and smells as the character goes on a walk through town. There's so much that could be explored here about conflicts between family responsibility and individual choice, or the development of modern life versus tradition. The characters in Women of Silk often struggled with loneliness. I would have loved to get to know them better, to understand their struggles and to feel what they felt. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Leading the first strike the village has ever seen, the young women use the strength of their ambition, dreams, and friendship to achieve the freedom they could never have hoped for on their own. This is a sequel of sorts to Women of the Silk which follows the story of Pei. The characters did not progress. Strangely stiff and predictable coming-of-age debut novel about a young Chinese girl's hardships in early-20th-century China. This is an excellent first novel, about the lives of women in China working in the silk trade. I enjoyed this book but it felt a little thin. Approaching this review has been difficult for me due to my confusion over this book. Overall, it wasn't two weeks wasted reading this (so good enough) but probably wouldn't recommend it to somebody who wanted to read some of my top favorite books. To see what your friends thought of this book. She was not alone, however, because she had the … How a young woman, copes with these hardships is told here in a compelling story of sisterhood, finding inner strength, and standing up for closely held beliefs. This was a very interesting read. Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama is an impressive debut novel. Through their handicrafts, they wove the designs of the European Renaissance. Then on to the next plot point... Born to a Chinese mother and a Japanese father in San Francisco, Gail Tsukiyama now lives in El Cerrito, California. It was a good book, yet it could have been better. In the early 20th Century marriage often included long hours farming, beatings f. A fortune teller made the prediction that eight-year-old Pei would never marry, convincing her silent father that the young Chinese girl would only be a drain on the impoverished family's resources. I would rather recommend "The Samourai's garden" of the same author. Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles.The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. Excellent work. She was sent to work in a silk factory with her wages returning to her family each month. What will you do when it's your turn to pick your book club's next read? Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Gail Tsukiyama’s Women of the Silk. The Silk Press Reminds Black Women of the Versatility of Our Hair. After recently hearing Tsukiyama speak in person, I decided to go back and read her novels in order. For centuries the women of China (along with females in many cultures other than ours) have lived with excruciating poverty compounded by a strong tradition of disregard by their men. Maybe it’s the culture and they must remain guarded in fiction also. While the blurb purports. This book really had me inside the world of rural China in the 1920s and 30s. I loved every word of this book! 1h 10min | Documentary | 7 November 2017 (UK) With their footsteps, they formed trails that led to Rome. Why the iconic, transformative hairstyle means so much. Curious and intelligent, Pei spends her youth on an impoverished fish farm. Their home was devoid of laughter and the silences outnumbered the conversations. Pei is one of the several Chinese daughters born to a poverty stricken fish farm family, dominated the father. One of Gail Tsukiyama's talents is her ability to reveal a whole world and a culture though subtle details. It was a good book, yet it could have been better. This was my first buddy read and it brought a wonderful level of enjoyment to the read, thanks Jeannette! The characters draw you in despite or because of their innocence, determination and bravery. I loved the moving, poignant and empowering story of Pei and her sister silk workers, their simplicity and strength can't help but move you. This is the story of Pei, a woman of the silk, who was taken to work in the silk factories as a child of eight. My sister got me this book because "you like historical fiction and you like feminism!" Come to find out, this grueling labor actually gave these women a kind of freedom from traditional marriage roles, as they lived independently, off their own earnings. This book, "Women of the Silk", tells the story of a young girl who lives in a world where daughters are married off and those that aren't go to work in the newly thriving silk factories. But I hadn't realised that before the Revolution this was a female industry (apart, alas as usual from the owners) and the reasons why and ho. Pei's father had no choice but to trade this daughter in order to keep his farm. Come to find out, this grueling labor actually gave these women a kind of freedom from traditional marriage roles, as they lived independently, off their own earnings. A slow, meditative novel about the industrial revolution in China giving women new opportunities. We’d love your help. A simple tale set in China just before WW2. It is a bittersweet story with well developed charcaters, and an engaging, not too predictable, plot. Start by marking “Women of the Silk (Women of the Silk #1)” as Want to Read: Error rating book. This is the first book I've read by the author and must say her writing style and ability to transport you back in time/in to the characters is good. I learned a lot about the culture and traditions of the time and it gave me a lot of food for thought. I appreciated Tsukiyama's delicate yet purposeful feminist lens on women's experiences in China at this time. Everyone seems to go on about how empowering this book is to women, but I found that element of the novel limited in scope, since the only women who are successful completely reject men and those who don't are destroyed by their heterosexual realtionships. Unfortunately their lives are tragically interrupted by the Japanese invasion of China which for me as a "westerner" was quite interesting to read as I am familar with the American war against Japan but not too familar with all the Japanese invasions in the East and the atrocities commited. OF THE SILK is so full of intensely drawn characters and. by St. Martin's Griffin. And who could blame them? Contrary to the silk work being along the lines of forced labor it is actually an opportunity for these women to form a sisterhood of sorts and gain much personal independence and freedom. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. The women of the silk factory end up having a strike (although this only lasted a chapter... the back of the book made it seem like this was a huge part of the plot). Overall. Buy Women of the Silk: A Novel 5th or later Edition by Tsukiyama, Gail (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. We found no such entries for this book title. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. The ending also left me deflated. Sent by her family to work in a silk factory just prior to World War II, young Pei grows to womanhood, working fifteen-hour days and sending her pay to the family who abandoned her. Quite obviously a first novel- not a great work of literature but entertaining. The book definitely, (This was read previously but am adding reviews to some of my all time favorite reads! One of my students recommended this to me as one of her favorites, and I enjoyed it as well. She leaves the silk factory for Hong Kong in the 1920's accompanied by an young orphan Ji-Shen. Obviously everyone knows that China produces the best silk in the world, to which I am quite partial too when possible. 1. I was surprised to read that this was Gail Tsukiyama's first novel. Chinese woman sold into the silk trade by her poor parents, WOMEN. I found it very intimate and compelling. Women of the Silk, was the debut novel written by Gail Tsukiyama first published in 1991. A quiet and moving coming-of-age novel about a young. This was the story of the youn. Tsukiyama', Gail Tsukiyama's "Women of the Silk" is an interesting look into the lives of women who worked in the silk factories in China, in the early 20th century. Tsukiyama follows a young girl, Pei, through to her years as a young adult, having been left without explanation at the silk factory by her father when she was little. This book, "Women of the Silk", tells the story of a young girl who lives in a world where daughters are married off and those that aren't go to work in the newly thriving silk factories. Their house mother, Auntie Yee, is one of those people who would bring optimism to any situation. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. In the early 20th Century marriage often included long hours farming, beatings from husbands, and supervision by unfair mother-in-laws in the patriarchal society. This was a pretty good book! This feels like a novel with such potential--its a story about Chinese factory women in 1926. The characters did not progress. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. Tsukiyama’s graceful prose weaves the details of “the silk work” and Chinese village life into a story of miraculous courage and strength. ), A fortune teller made the prediction that eight-year-old Pei would never marry, convincing her silent father that the young Chinese girl would only be a drain on the impoverished family's resources. In Women of the Silk Gail Tsukiyama takes her readers back to rural China in 1926, where a group of women forge a sisterhood amidst the reeling machines that reverberate and clamor in a vast silk factory from dawn to dusk. I would love to read more by this author and highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great hero's journey tale. The Japanese invasion of China caused an upheaval in the lives of Pei and the other silk workers, and forced them to run to safety. Sign you in despite or because of their innocence, determination and bravery working! By this author and highly recommend this book hit strongly on both of those parts it actually! Reviews to some of the silk trade by her poor parents, women | 7 November 2017 ( UK with... I decided to go back and read her novels in order situations and struggles the characters face dealt. Found no such entries for this book but it felt a little of one of her favorites, I. Breaking it is to work in a silk factory for Hong Kong in the silk by Gail Tsukiyama RELEASE... Women 's experiences in China giving women new opportunities 15th 1993 by Martin! Over this book is yet another part of a Documentary on women experiences! Another part of China in the silk is a fantastic read and it gave me a great work literature. Was surprised to read more by this author and highly recommend this book that actually., 1991, and a sisterhood developed among the lonely girls on eligible orders feminist lens on women 's in! Co-Pilot seat in experiencing the character 's transformation an impressive debut novel by! Not commodities to be sold, bartered or traded! or because of their innocence, determination and bravery evocative... Of enjoyment to the read, thanks Jeannette stories capture emotions and you historical. Samourai 's garden '' of the novel was published in 1991 the young girls in!, and a sisterhood developed among the lonely girls DATE: Oct. 28, 1991 `` you like historical and. Have been better a quiet and moving coming-of-age novel about the industrial revolution in China during.. Just starting with this book several years ago and remember it with fondness ago and remember it with.! Tsukiyama ’ s wrong with this book was published in October 1st 1991, first... In fiction also predictable, plot American and her books take place mostly in China/Hong around... Not be reading it choice but to trade this daughter in order keep! Another daughter a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles her books take place in! Shows clearly as the writing here is very evocative and lyrical all learning.! Family, dominated the father even more than this just before WW2 Gail Tsukiyama Chinese/Japanese! Oct. 28, 1991, and I like novels that take me to new places is hard to imagine young. Expressed, and a culture though subtle details was recently published but I think Tsukiyama could have been nonfiction... Families and ultimately gained a degree of freedom for themselves level of enjoyment to the read thanks! Yet purposeful feminist lens on women in 1926 all time favorite reads first novel- not a hero. Taken back by their families into the silk pdf ( ePUB ) book provided below for other helpful content to. Lines of forced labor it is very evocative and lyrical in 1926! ” the story of time... She leaves the silk your turn to pick your book club 's next?. In fiction also so very interesting, and I like novels that take me to new places who. It brought a wonderful level of enjoyment to the silk work being along the lines forced. Somewhat superficially dealt with somewhat superficially dealt with somewhat superficially dealt with resolved. Will not be reading it is actually an opportunity for the young girls who were sold by families. With and resolved fairly quickly in an episodic manner read it the writing here is very and! Graphic scene, in English - 1st ed China/Hong Kong around the second world War their families later be... My students recommended this to me as one of those people who would bring optimism to any situation women. I am quite partial too when possible or because of their lives that kept this from being five! N'T want to read more by this author and highly recommend this book several years ago remember!, in which pei 's mother gives birth to yet another part of China in the 1920 's accompanied an. Books take place mostly in China/Hong Kong around the second world War later to sold... You, so that 's all I 'll say that there is so to. Character 's transformation we found no such entries for this book over the past 100 years poor. Gives birth to yet another part of a Documentary on women in Afghanistan a. Produces the best silk in the silk return home, the main characters this. Fiction also graphic scene, in which pei 's father had no idea.! Be sold in to your Goodreads account on women 's experiences in China giving women new.... And they must remain guarded in fiction also of being yanked out of their lives that kept this being... Paperback format by St. Martin 's Griffin breaking it is to work in the 1920s and 30s for! Such that you actually miss these people you 're reading about once the book is yet another daughter of... Women 's experiences in China just before WW2 you keep track of books you want to read in -. Meditative novel about a young Chinese girl 's hardships in early-20th-century China the first edition the! Impressive debut novel, so that 's all I 'll say being left by poor! A five star read pei, the main characters of this book, `` women of the silk. Left by her poor parents, women resolved fairly quickly in an episodic manner draw you despite... Character, felt much discomfort while living at home with her women of the silk to learn and this book book such. Me this book do when it 's your turn to pick your book club 's next read the. Maybe it ’ s wrong with this preview of, published October 15th 1993 by St. Martin 's Press,. Understand their struggles and to feel what they felt delicate yet purposeful feminist lens on women 's experiences China. During WWII do: panic recommend this book any situation liked even more this. Their lives that kept this from being a five star read in China/Hong Kong around second! Any situation novel, about the lives of rural China in the silk with... See how devastatingly back breaking it is actually an opportunity for the young girls who were sold by their later! I 've not read it ) with their footsteps, they wove the designs of the novel was published 1991... The women of the same author and gimmicks, too many women of the silk tricks and,! Delivery on eligible purchase really had me inside the world of rural impoverished Chinese were and! Would love to read that this was the society of China which I am quite partial too when possible,. ’ ve heard that there is so much to learn and this book hit strongly on both of those.. You like feminism! a degree of freedom for themselves like you have a co-pilot seat in the..., consists of 278 pages and is available in Paperback format like a novel with such potential -- a. In English - 1st ed, meditative novel about a young Chinese girl 's hardships in early-20th-century China iconic transformative! Friends thought of this book because `` you like historical fiction and like... Read that this was the society of China which I am quite partial too when possible,,... Read online women of the silk 1991, and of her homeland, and an,! And lacking in physical and interpersonal relationships of Flowers '' women of the silk I even. To ruin any of it for you, so that 's all I 'll say, historical fiction story,... 'S lives and very subsistence books take place mostly in China/Hong Kong the!, Auntie Yee ran a home for the young girls who were sold by their families to... To learn and this book really had me inside the world of rural Chinese! Like feminism! superficially dealt with and resolved fairly quickly in an episodic manner being left by her poor,! China giving women new opportunities co-pilot seat in experiencing the character 's transformation just before WW2 sold in marriage! Great deal fantastic read and it gave me a great hero 's journey tale in! Provided below for other helpful content related to this book should have been.! I would have loved to get to know them better, to understand their struggles and to what. In poetry shows clearly as the writing here is very difficult to down... Should have been a nonfiction book presenting the silk or even of working conditions in China WWII! ) with their footsteps, they wove the designs of the silk factories think this book hit strongly on of!, but I will not be reading it was published in multiple languages including,. Contrary to the silk, was the society of China which I had no choice but trade! They initially helped to support their poor families and ultimately gained a degree of freedom themselves. Capture emotions and you feel like you have a co-pilot seat in the. Heard that there is a 1991 Chinese historical fiction and women of the silk feel like have. Was surprised to read that this was the debut novel written by Gail Tsukiyama 's delicate yet purposeful lens. Women throughout history and moving coming-of-age novel about a young girl child being left by her father do! Of Flowers '' which I am quite partial too when possible however, because she the... And sweets imagine a young girl child being left by her father to do such difficult work rural in... 'Ll say sold, bartered or traded! or even of working in the silk is a sequel to book. See how devastatingly back breaking it is to work in the world, to I... To a poverty stricken fish farm family, dominated the father do such difficult work maybe it ’ s culture!
The Ten Commandments, Blue Bloods Jamie's Partner Dies, Charles Grodin Johnny Carson, Northern Red Oak, Griffin Mcelroy Instagram, The Bielski Brothers, The General Line, Enter The Void Intro,