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57 pages 1 hour read

Do Not Say We Have Nothing

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Book Brief

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Madeleine Thien

Do Not Say We Have Nothing

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

496

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

China • 20th century

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien spans generations, beginning with Big Mother Knife and her sister Swirl struggling to survive during the early years of China's Communist Revolution. Big Mother Knife's son Sparrow and Swirl's daughter Zhuli find solace in music amid the turmoil. As political tensions rise, Zhuli dies by suicide, while Sparrow's life is impacted by further events leading to his eventual death, pushing his daughter Ai-Ming into exile. Ai-Ming finds refuge with Marie, the daughter of a former friend of Sparrow, and relocates to America. The novel explores enduring themes of family, music, and resistance amid oppressive regimes. It includes traumatic events like political persecution, suicide, and the Tiananmen Square protests.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Mysterious

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

26,528 ratings

72%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien intertwines Chinese history with personal narratives, earning praise for its rich storytelling and complex characters. Critics commend Thien's lyrical prose and intricate plot; however, some find the novel's pacing slow and its historical context challenging to grasp fully. Overall, a moving, albeit demanding, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Do Not Say We Have Nothing?

A reader who enjoys Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien likely appreciates multi-generational family sagas set against historical backdrops. Similar readers might also enjoy The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini or Wild Swans by Jung Chang for their rich narratives and deep cultural insights.

4.1

26,528 ratings

72%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

496

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

China • 20th century

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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