Review:
London, 2004, Faber and Faber
(11+) Grace, adopted by a Canadian couple, resents her Chinese name, used by her parents at home, Dong-Mei. She wants nothing to do with her past, particularly the woman who left her on the steps of an orphanage years before. Her family is insistent that she at least know something, sending her to learn Chinese, but when they watch the happenings of the Tiananmen Square in 1989, she is shocked into finding out about her heritage.
A wonderful retelling of the events in China leading to the one child policy, readers will learn so much about why this policy was introduced and what effect it had on the population. Told from different points of view, her Chinese parents and their families, the Canadian family and that of Grace, the whole story is infused with a realism that is hard to ignore. Dong-Mei's mother’s voice tells us about her fears in marrying Loyal, the only son in a successful family, where his father is desperate for a grandson to carry on the family name. Even the village foreteller tells him what he wants to know, that she is carrying a son. The arrival of a girl destroys the family, sending Chun-Mei to the orphanage, causing her to breakdown, resulting in divorce and a new wife and son for her husband.
Infused with Chinese stories, sayings and teachings,Ting-Xing Ye's, Throwaway daughter is wonderful to read, but have your hanky ready.
Fran Knight
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Throwaway daughter, Ting-Xing Ye
London, 2004, Faber and Faber(11+) Grace, adopted by a Canadian couple, resents her Chinese name, used by her parents at home, Dong-Mei. She wants nothing to do with her past, particularly the woman who left her on the steps of an orphanage years before. Her family is insistent that she at least know something, sending her to learn Chinese, but when they watch the happenings of the Tiananmen Square in 1989, she is shocked into finding out about her heritage.
A wonderful retelling of the events in China leading to the one child policy, readers will learn so much about why this policy was introduced and what effect it had on the population. Told from different points of view, her Chinese parents and their families, the Canadian family and that of Grace, the whole story is infused with a realism that is hard to ignore. Dong-Mei's mother’s voice tells us about her fears in marrying Loyal, the only son in a successful family, where his father is desperate for a grandson to carry on the family name. Even the village foreteller tells him what he wants to know, that she is carrying a son. The arrival of a girl destroys the family, sending Chun-Mei to the orphanage, causing her to breakdown, resulting in divorce and a new wife and son for her husband.
Infused with Chinese stories, sayings and teachings,Ting-Xing Ye's, Throwaway daughter is wonderful to read, but have your hanky ready.
Fran Knight
Home
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Consulting, 2007