Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Take Me Home by Brian Leung

She's a single woman living with her brother.  He's Chinese and a camp cook and longs to go home.  Their friendship is forbidden...

HarperCollins sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It was published in October, 2010, so you can purchase a copy at your local bookstore now.

This story really touched me.  Things were not pleasant for women in Wyoming in the 1880's during the mining days.  And the Chinese were hated no matter where they lived and worked, mostly for being different and having a different language.  Not to mention they took work away from the white men. 

Mr. Leung does an excellent job of describing the work environment, the hardships, and the will of Addie and Wing Lee to succeed at life against the many odds which is remarkable - and believable. 

The conflict between the white miners and the Chinese is factual even though this is a fictional account.  When Addie travels to find her brother after her father dies, she finds that she is actually viewed as his property, and if he wishes her to marry, she doesn't have much choice.  She refuses until he dies in a mining accident.  Then she has no choice...

You feel like you're there living that life, and the hardships and problems are your problems.  You watch the growing friendship between Addie and Wing Lee and know it's doomed.  But you hope it won't be...

This historical visit to the past will stay in your mind long after you put the book down.  The characters become real to you and you keep them close to your heart.

I enjoyed this historical romance and think you would, too.

If you'd like my ARC copy, leave a comment here on the blog, and then email me at info @ bookfaerie.com (take spaces out) with your name and ADDRESS and why you'd like to read it.  I'll pick a winner in about a week.

1 comment:

SusanB said...

This book would be a complete deviation from my normal reading habits but it does sound compelling to read. Would love to win it.

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