"But I don't want to get married, she thought."
So starts the story of two women at the end of WWI, a beautifully written historical novel that weaves together themes of love, war, and identity in a time of great upheaval. Set in France during the final days of World War I, the story focuses on two women, Pauline Deng and Camille Roussel, whose lives intersect under the shadow of war.
Pauline, a Chinese woman fleeing an arranged marriage, seeks refuge in France with her cousin, only to find herself caught between conflicting loyalties.
Camille, a young French woman, harbors secrets of her own,
Together, their stories reveal the complexities of gender, race, and survival during a turbulent time in history.
Chang’s writing is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the characters' inner and outer worlds. Her attention to historical detail brings this lesser-known aspect of World War I to life, shedding light on the contributions and struggles of Chinese laborers in Europe.
Highly recommended read for historical fiction fans looking for something fresh and deeply moving.
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