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55 pages 1 hour read

The Fortunes

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Book Brief

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Peter Ho Davies

The Fortunes

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

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • 19th-21st century

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies is a historical novel composed of four interconnected stories that explore the experiences of Chinese immigrants and their descendants across different generations in the United States. The stories, “Celestial Railroad,” “Your Name in Chinese,” “Tell it Slant,” and “Disorientation,” examine themes of anti-Chinese racism, assimilation, and identity shaped by historical events in China and the US. Characters experience anti-Asian prejudice and violence.

Informative

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.8

2,469 ratings

61%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Peter Ho Davies' The Fortunes has garnered praise for its compelling exploration of Chinese-American identity and history through four interconnected stories. Reviewers appreciate its lyrical prose and nuanced characters, but some critique the pacing and fragmented narrative structure. Overall, it's celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and rich historical context.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Fortunes?

A reader who appreciates The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies would enjoy complex narratives exploring identity, culture, and history. Comparable to The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz, this novel appeals to those intrigued by multifaceted characters and the immigrant experience.

3.8

2,469 ratings

61%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Ah Ling

A young man who moves to the United States from China, where he becomes involved in various occupations, including work on the railroads and in a laundry, reflecting the experiences of early Chinese immigrants.

The owner of a Chinese laundry where Ah Ling works, who is depicted as kind yet complicated, having been a prospector and enduring the complexities of immigrant life in America.

A sex worker associated with Uncle Ng's laundry, who harbors resentment towards Chinese men due to her experiences and eventually rises to a position of authority within the sphere of sex work.

A character inspired by the real-life actress, known for being the first Chinese American star in Hollywood, struggling with racial barriers and personal identity issues while making her mark in the film industry.

Based on a real person, he is a Chinese American man whose story revolves around a tragic incident of racially motivated violence, reflecting broader themes of racism and identity.

A biracial academic and writer who grapples with his Chinese heritage and identity, as well as the challenges of family and work while navigating both American and Chinese cultural landscapes.

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • 19th-21st century

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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