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Title:
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Porcelain Moon, The |
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Authors:
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Chang, Janie |
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Genre:
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Fiction |
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Pages:
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324 |
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Year:
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2023 |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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Pauline Deng refuses to entertain the possibility of an arranged marriage back in Shanghai - it is 1918 and she is happy enough helping run the family's antique business in Paris. To remain in France she will need the support of her cousin Theo, who has absconded to the countryside, translating for the non-combatant Chinese Labour Corps and befriending French woman Camille Roussel.
Alternating between Pauline and Camille, whose lives start to intersect in unexpected ways, this is the fascinating story of two women throwing off their shackles, set against the backdrop of the little known role of the 140 000 Chinese workers involved in the Great War.
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Categories:
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Fiction, War theme, Culture/Ethnic/Racial, Gender Issues, Historical, Love Story, Relationships, France, 2025 Titles |
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By: DUNED 039
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2026-02-14 14:30:02 |
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An enjoyable read. None of us knew anything about the Chinese involvement in WWI - hasn't appeared in anything we've read before. |
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By: WHITBY 002
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2025-12-03 11:28:43 |
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A good book to end the year on! We all enjoyed this book, the story and the characters. We were all ignorant of the involvement of the Chinese labour force and found that interesting. It felt rather contrived as all loose ends were neatly finished off but it was enjoyable nonetheless. The notes were excellent. |
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By: TIMAR 008
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2025-11-03 12:10:54 |
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We enjoyed reading about the Chinese in WWI. |
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By: MAST 019
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2025-10-31 12:59:33 |
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We all enjoyed this read, more for the historical context than the "love story" which was rather weak. None of us were aware of the Chinese labour camps in France and we didn't really know much about China's involvement in WW1. The author's notes were super-interesting and we could have done with more of them! Not sure we would go on to to read anything more from this author, but it was a popular choice for this month's meeting. |
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By: WELL 104
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2025-08-11 12:13:22 |
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We all enjoyed the historical aspect and the detailed research undertaken but the author. Not so impressed with the characterisation and romantic plots - rather 'Mills & Boon', was one comment. The characters were not well developed and lacked depth. However the historical background made this book a very interesting read. |
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By: AUCK 475
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2025-06-25 12:07:06 |
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We really enjoyed reading this book after last month's 'Lady Tan's Circle of Women'. Both so interesting re Chinese customs and history. |
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By: NAP 005
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2025-06-12 15:51:07 |
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None of us knew about the Chinese work parties used in World War I and found this a very interesting book. The author's notes were very helpful. We thought that this was an easy book to read and that the story drew you in so that you had to keep reading. There was a lot of discussion on the issues of wife abuse, racism, illegitimacy, arranged marriage, cultural differences and the woman's role in the family. We recommend this book. |
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By: DUNED 080
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2025-05-22 09:47:00 |
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A great read from those who were able to finish the book. Interesting subject, educational and beautifully interwoven story of two women's lives. |
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By: PALMN 040
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2025-05-14 10:22:03 |
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Enjoyable easy read. Generated a lot of discussion. None of us knew about the Chinese labour camps in WWII. |
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By: WHANGA 001
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2025-03-20 11:58:04 |
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This was a popular choice, enjoyed by all in the group. Well-written, nice characterisation, and interesting Chinese history. |
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By: PICT 002
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2025-03-17 10:08:50 |
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Everyone enjoyed this book. Particularly the style, the characterisations, and surprise at so much history we were totally unaware of. Generated a lot of good discussion. |
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By: HAMIL 029
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2024-12-03 10:05:49 |
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We all found the book interesting, and all agreed it was the historical background that made us read on. Janie Chang's research into the Chinese Labour Corps in WW 1 was fascinating - we all found her notes at the end of the novel engrossing. The novel itself seems rather over-plotted with two love affairs to follow against the background of the war in France - they fortunately end happily. We'd love Janie Chang to write a novel that focuses on Chinese experience of historical events more closely. |
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By: WHANG 018
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2024-11-25 14:44:42 |
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Very interesting information about the Chinese involvement in WW2. |
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By: AUCK 316
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2024-03-14 14:04:36 |
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All enjoyed it, and all read it! |
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By: NELS 031
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2023-11-13 09:52:00 |
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All of us felt the last chapter was a quick tying up of ends, almost as if the writer thought she had written enough and needed to end the book quickly. Many of us did not know anything about the Chinese being in France and England in WWI and the work they did there, so the book was very insightful and informative. |
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