logo

32 pages 1 hour read

C Pam Zhang

How Much Of These Hills Is Gold

C Pam ZhangFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
C Pam Zhang

How Much Of These Hills Is Gold

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

American West • 1800s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang follows 12-year-old Lucy and her 11-year-old brother Sam, two ethnically Chinese orphans in California during the Gold Rush, on a quest to find a proper burial place for their father, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and the myths of the American West. The novel's structure shifts in time to reveal their family's tragic past and their struggle for acceptance in a society that discriminates against them.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Gritty

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.9

27,895 ratings

66%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Reviews for How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang showcase its evocative prose and fresh take on the American Western genre. Critics praise its vivid imagery and emotional depth. However, some find the pacing uneven and plot development lacking clarity. Overall, it's lauded for its unique perspective and lyrical storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read How Much Of These Hills Is Gold?

A reader who enjoys How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang is likely drawn to lyrical narratives, historical fiction, and stories focused on identity and the immigrant experience. Fans of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck will find this novel compelling.

3.9

27,895 ratings

66%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

American West • 1800s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.