Beautifully written and splendidly narrated, Chang's novel is a story of love and friendship that also reveals a little-known historical event--the importing of 140,000 Chinese workers into Europe to be noncombatant labor during WWI. The story focuses on a Chinese woman, Pauline Deng, portrayed with exquisite delicacy by Katharine Chin, and a Frenchwoman, Camille Roussel, perfectly portrayed by Saskia Maarleveld. As a series of tragic circumstances throws the two together, the dangerous secrets they hold create a bond between them. Smartly drawn characters allow James Chen to create multidimensional men, while Chin's and Maarleveld's performances project authentic and credible women. All three narrators offer strong character portrayals that neatly upend Western stereotypes of Asians. Chang's lyrical prose is enhanced by intelligent, thoughtful performances. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
From the critically acclaimed author of The Library of Legends comes a vividly rendered novel set in WWI France about two young women-one Chinese, one French-whose lives intersect with unexpected, potentially dangerous consequences.
“East meets West in World War I France. In The Porcelain Moon, Janie Chang exhibits her signature trademarks-lyrical prose, deftly drawn characters, and skillful excavation of little-known history-to give us a rare jewel in a sea of wartime fiction!”
- Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author
France, 1918. In the final days of the First World War, a young Chinese woman, Pauline Deng, runs away from her uncle's home in Paris to evade a marriage being arranged for her in Shanghai. To prevent the union, she needs the help of her cousin Theo, who is working as a translator for the Chinese Labour Corps in the French countryside. In the town of Noyelles-sur-Mer, Camille Roussel is planning her escape from an abusive marriage, and to end a love affair that can no longer continue. When Camille offers Pauline a room for her stay, the two women become friends. But it's not long before Pauline uncovers a perilous secret that Camille has been hiding from her. As their dangerous situation escalates, the two women are forced to make a terrible decision that will bind them together for the rest of their lives.
Set against the little-known history of the 140,000 Chinese workers brought to Europe as non-combatant labor during WWI, The Porcelain Moon is a tale of forbidden love, identity and belonging, and what we are willing to risk for freedom.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
From the critically acclaimed author of The Library of Legends comes a vividly rendered novel set in WWI France about two young women-one Chinese, one French-whose lives intersect with unexpected, potentially dangerous consequences.
“East meets West in World War I France. In The Porcelain Moon, Janie Chang exhibits her signature trademarks-lyrical prose, deftly drawn characters, and skillful excavation of little-known history-to give us a rare jewel in a sea of wartime fiction!”
- Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author
France, 1918. In the final days of the First World War, a young Chinese woman, Pauline Deng, runs away from her uncle's home in Paris to evade a marriage being arranged for her in Shanghai. To prevent the union, she needs the help of her cousin Theo, who is working as a translator for the Chinese Labour Corps in the French countryside. In the town of Noyelles-sur-Mer, Camille Roussel is planning her escape from an abusive marriage, and to end a love affair that can no longer continue. When Camille offers Pauline a room for her stay, the two women become friends. But it's not long before Pauline uncovers a perilous secret that Camille has been hiding from her. As their dangerous situation escalates, the two women are forced to make a terrible decision that will bind them together for the rest of their lives.
Set against the little-known history of the 140,000 Chinese workers brought to Europe as non-combatant labor during WWI, The Porcelain Moon is a tale of forbidden love, identity and belonging, and what we are willing to risk for freedom.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
The Porcelain Moon: A Novel of France, the Great War, and Forbidden Love
The Porcelain Moon: A Novel of France, the Great War, and Forbidden Love
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Editorial Reviews
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940175913034 |
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Publisher: | HarperCollins |
Publication date: | 02/21/2023 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |