Happy Tuesday and Happy Publication Day to A River of Stars, a wonderfully told story of the Chinese immigrant experience from the perspective of a new mother.
My Thoughts:
A River of Stars focuses on Scarlett Chen, a factory worker who has an affair with the married owner, Boss Heung. Scarlett is pregnant, and doctors tell her that she and Boss Heung will be having a boy, which is everything to Boss. He has three daughters and has always desired a son. Boss Heung becomes obsessed with the baby’s care in utero and wants him to have the best of the best. In securing that, he sends Scarlett to the U.S. to live in a secret home with other pregnant Chinese women, most of them immigrants. The plan is for Scarlett to give birth in America, which will hopefully provide a lifetime of opportunities for the baby.
While living in the home, Scarlett is forced to get along with difficult housemates and take part in cultural rituals of bitter and unusual stews and other medicinal aids for pregnant women. She finds a friend in Daisy, a pregnant teen with citizenship who has been placed in the home to keep her away from her American boyfriend.
At a late doctor’s appointment, Scarlett is told she is having a girl instead…and she panics. She is already living on edge with Boss. How will she ever be able to tell him the truth, and what will it mean for her future, as well as the baby’s? So, she flees in an attempt to find the American dream on her terms. Surprise: Boss is in the U.S. and hot on her heels.
A River of Stars is a well-written, entertaining romp of a story. It highlights the Chinese immigrant experience in the United States, whether rich or poor, naturalized citizen, or recent immigrant. At the same time, it is an adventure as Scarlett and Daisy set out to satisfy their dreams. Moreover, it is a story of a woman taking charge of her life when cultural values would typically hinder her, finding a sense of home/a sense of place, and examining motherhood, mother-daughter relationships, and identity. It is an enchanting stand-out of a book.
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
In a powerful debut novel about motherhood, immigration, and identity, a pregnant Chinese woman makes her way to California and stakes a claim to the American dream.
Holed up with other moms-to-be in a secret maternity home in Los Angeles, Scarlett Chen is far from her native China, where she worked in a factory job and fell in love with the owner, Boss Yeung. Now she’s carrying his baby. Already married with three daughters, he’s overjoyed because the doctors confirmed he will finally have the son he has always wanted. To ensure that his son has every advantage, he has shipped Scarlett off to give birth on American soil. U.S. citizenship will open doors for their little prince.
As Scarlett awaits the baby’s arrival, she chokes down bitter medicinal stews and spars with her imperious housemates. The only one who fits in even less is Daisy, a spirited teenager and fellow unwed mother who is being kept apart from her American boyfriend.
Then a new sonogram of Scarlett’s baby reveals the unexpected. Panicked, she escapes by hijacking a van–only to discover that she has a stowaway: Daisy, who intends to track down the father of her child. They flee to San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown, where Scarlett will join countless immigrants desperately trying to seize their piece of the American dream. What Scarlett doesn’t know is that her baby’s father is not far behind her.
A River of Stars is an entertaining, wildly unpredictable adventure, told with empathy and wit. It’s a vivid examination of home and belonging, and a moving portrayal of a woman determined to build her own future.
Have you read A River of Stars, or do you plan to? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Another book that I may need to add to my list when I’m off my book-ban ☺️
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I am impressed with your book ban, LP! You are doing awesome and also with cutting back in other areas of spending, too!
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I hated to see your review end, Jennifer! Well done. And, I have to confess that I look forward to seeing your daily presentation of the books almost as much as your reviews. It’s a unique touch that I hope you forever continue.
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Thank you so much, Jonetta! What a kind thing to say, and you made me blush. I am a little worried about my winter posts. I have some houseplants and succulents, so I will have to see what I can throw together. I try to take pics in advance, too. Thank you again. You made my day. ♥️
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Amazing review. Cannot wait to read this one. Happy Tuesday. 🌺📚❤️
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Thanks so much, Virginia! I hope it’s a story you enjoy also! Happy Tuesday to you! 💗
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Wow Jen! Your review makes me want to read this next right now! Have a great Tuesday!😊💖
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Thanks, Sus! I had two wonderful stories involving Chinese immigration in a row! I hope your Tuesday is wonderful as well! 💕
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Sounds like an intense read Jennifer. Well written review, very detailed
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I will be on the lookout for this one. Sounds wonderful.
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I hope you find it and enjoy it, too, Marialyce! It was such an original read!
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Another one that I’m going to have to read! Such a perfect review! ❤
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Thanks so much, Stephanie! I am so grateful for these diverse books, and when I wrote the review, I wondered if you had read this one! A unique perspective! ♥️
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You’re welcome! Me too! I hadn’t, but I definitely plan on it!
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Goodness! Do such homes really exist? You always find such interesting-sounding books!
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I was spending too much time on Netgalley, and anything culturally-relevant draws me in! This one sounded fascinating, and it paid off! 😊 Apparently, this is a thing, and I was thinking, if we have them here, then you probably have them there too!
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Ha! Probably!
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We seem to be on the same reading wave length. I have a review up for A River of Stars today, too. (As part of several mini-reviews.) I enjoyed your review and also really like the story, especially when it stayed with Scarlett and Daisy. Sadly though, not nearly as much when it strayed to the more secondary characters. Still, I think it’s a terrific debut.
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Thank you, Susie! Yes, we are reading the same books. I agree- the best parts were Scarlett and Daisy together. I will give your mini reviews a visit! 😊
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Wonderful review! This is a book I have as well and I will get to it eventually! I’ve decided to just focus on what I have going forward and then eventually I will get all caught up, right???💛🧡
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Thanks, Berit! I think you will love this one, and yes, you will get caught up! Just do the best you can! 💗 I hope this a book you love, too! I bet it would be super fun on audio with Scarlett and Daisy’s adventure parts! ♥️
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Oh I’m pretty certain it will be!
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This sounds terrific! I’ve been seeing this book pop up all over my various news feeds, but hadn’t read about the plot in any detail until I saw your review. Thanks for sharing! Makes me want to go request a copy from the library right now.
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Thanks, Lisa! It is a refreshing read…Its own unique style – fun and heartwarming and depth, too. If you get it from the library, I hope you enjoy it too!
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A story about an immigrant woman bonding with other immigrant women? Yes please!! And I really love that cover–it’s so different from anything I’ve seen lately!
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I totally agree, Kathy! About all! The cover has a surrealistic vibe, and I love the colors. So bright and cheerful. I hope you have a lovely day ahead! ♥️
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Beautiful review as always Jen, this looks right up my street! 😍
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Thank you, Beth! Yes, I think you’d enjoy the culture in this one and the relationship between the two friends. ♥️
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That sounds incredible!
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It was a wonderfully unique read, Amy!
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