TITLE/AUTHOR: Swimming Back to Trout River; Linda Rui Feng
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Audio
YEAR PUBLISHED: 2021
GENRE: Fiction / Family Saga / Asian Americans
FORMAT: 272 pages - audio download / LENGTH: 8 hours 15 min.
SOURCE: Publisher / audio download
SETTING(s): China and a fictional US college town called Chimney Bluffs
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: A beautiful story of family that takes place around China's Cultural Revolution.
BRIEF REVIEW: 1986 - Ten year old Junie who was born without lower legs has been living with her loving grandparents near Trout River since the age of five. Her father Momo was an engineering student in Beijing but, in 1981 left for grad school in the US. Cassia stayed behind but, she left for the US two years later. Now in 1986 after Junie hasn't seen her parents in five years she receives a letter from her father telling her that he plans to come for her by the time she turns twelve. Junie is determined to stay right where she is with her grandfather, her biggest advocate. He has even built her a prosthetic leg which has helped her to thrive. One thing that Junie was not aware of was that her parents led separate lives in the US and each parent has failed to communicate separate pasts and tragedies which led to their estrangement. Momo is determined to reunite with Cassia so that their family can be together again.
I loved reading a little of China's history from 1960 through the Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao. I loved that classical music and the violin played a role in the story and also reading about how superstitious the Chinese people in this story were. Most of all, I loved Junie's special relationship with her grandfather even though Junie's story is not as in depth as the stories of Momo, Cassia and Dawn, a musician Momo had been involved with. The story was quite poignant at times and, I was not prepared for the way this story ended but, I found it satisfying and thought provoking. If you are looking for something a little different: culture, immigration, the arts and love, I highly recommend this debut novel. I'll definitely be looking for future books by the talented new author.
RATING: 4.5/5
This was a combo read/listen for me. Thanks go to Simon & Schuster for allowing me access to these books: eGalley (Edelweiss) and Simon & Schuster (audio) in exchange for my unbiased review. The audiobook was read by Nancy Wu who did a great job.
That does sound really interesting and the time period is a good one.
ReplyDeleteIt was good - the setting, the characters and the story.
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed Swimming Back to Trout River. I read so many forgettable books, but this one will continue to stay with me. It is certainly thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Jen - more and more books are forgettable these days, so it's a beautiful thing when we read a story that stays with us. Not sure if you are planning on reading Count the Ways, Joyce Maynard which comes out Tuesday but, it's another story that sticks with me.
DeleteI'm looking forward to listening to this one!
ReplyDeleteI loved the story, I hope you will as well.
DeleteI've heard such good things about this book; I can't wait to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a nice change of pace - good story.
DeleteThis sounds good! I'm adding it to my list. Thanks, Diane.
ReplyDeleteThis was a delightful change of pace from too many psych thrillers. A really good story.
DeleteOkay, you convinced me. I need to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
DeleteFrom what you and Jen (in her comment) say about this one, it sounds like one I need to take a hard look at. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really good debut and the characters and setting worked well too.
DeleteI know very little about Chinese history - especially in the more modern era - so this sounds fascinating. It's a bit different from my usual read but I've been kind of craving some shake up so this might be just the book! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis was a rewarding debut, I think you will enjoy it Katherine.
DeleteThe cultural revolution in China was so devastating, but it's an interesting backdrop for novels. This one sounds quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I don't think I've read any fiction set around the Cultural revolution in China.
DeleteI'm definitely adding this book to my wishlist after reading several positive reviews about it!
ReplyDeleteOh good, I hope you will enjoy it.
DeleteGreat review and as I love stories of migration, I definitely want to read this one. I haven't read many stories set during this timeframe either so I think it would be a good way to learn more about the cultural revolution.
ReplyDeleteThe timeframe was new for me as well, I think you might enjoy this one.
DeleteOh I'm glad you reviewed this one! Cultural Revolution stories interest me so I definitely want to get to this one -- as it sounds very good.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very good debut and such a nice change of pace for me.
DeleteI like a good family saga. I'll have to take a closer look at this one. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will enjoy it Susan.
DeleteI think you will enjoy the audio Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one too, especially the historical aspect. Such a good read!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember reading your thought s and that made me push it up on my list. It was a nice change of pace story.
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