by Julie Wu

A tale of triumph over adversity, taking place within a Taiwanese wealthy family which mistreats, ridicules, and malnourishes, the third son, Saburo.  Saburo is bright, hard working and succeeds to come to the USA to study. He marries his childhood's sweetheart in spite of the objections around hime. Regardless of his achievements, his family is envious and abusive to him and his wife (across thousands of miles between the US and Taiwan). While reading the book, I wanted Saburo to shake off the traditional burden that made him put up with his family’s cruelty.  
Thanks to Julie Wu, I have learned about the historical events that took place in Taiwan during the transition from Japanese rule to Nationalist rule and the struggle between the Nationalists and Communists.  The good and bad in people is evident throughout the novel; those who helped Saburo in Taiwan and in the US and those who tried foiling his goals.


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