32 pages • 1 hour read
How Much Of These Hills Is Gold
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
288
Novel • Fiction
American West • 1800s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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
27,895 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
27,895 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Novel • Fiction
American West • 1800s
2020
Adult
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.