This novel continues the story of Pei that began in Women of the Silk. In this book, she is an adult living out World War II in Hong Kong. The author does a good job of painting the story of one woman's survival through upheaval.

Will be sending this to Mojosmom in a trade.

Released on Friday, June 27, 2003 at Controlled Release in Chicago, Illinois USA.

Mailed to mojosmom.

Just received from Amusedbythis. After I read Women of the Silk, I wanted very much to know what happened to Pei - now I'll find out!

Pei escapes mainland China just ahead of the Japanese, with Ji Shen, a young girl who has lost her family in the war. Arriving in Hong Kong, they are helped by others of the silk sisterhood who have preceded them. Pei is determined that Ji Shen get an education, rather than work. At Pei's first live-in domestic position, she is falsely accused of theft, but ultimately finds a home, and a friend, for both herself and Ji Shen, with an Englishwoman, Mrs. Finch.

And then the war, and the Japanese, follow them to Hong Kong.

This is a splendid sequel to Women of the Silk. We learn what happened to Pei's older sister, Li, and jump forward in the years to know what happens to Pei herself, an others in the story. There are a couple of threads that don't go anywhere, but that is a minor flaw in an otherwise fine novel.

Release planned for Tuesday, September 09, 2003 at Vagabond Books & Gear - 2010 N. Damen Ave. in Chicago, Illinois USA.

I will be taking this to tomorrow's Meet-Up.