As I suspected 2023 has been another fantastic year for historical fiction, and we are not even a quarter of the way in. (Part of my theory is that the majority of hist-fic is published from September to April…) Today I am my thoughts on one of the books from my to-read historical fiction list for this year. Let’s look at The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang is a must-read for any historical fiction fans!
The Porcelain Moon, Janie Chang
France, 1918. In the final days of the First World War, a young Chinese woman, Pauline Deng, runs away from her uncle’s home in Paris to evade a marriage being arranged for her in Shanghai. To prevent the union, she needs the help of her cousin Theo, who is working as a translator for the Chinese Labour Corps in the French countryside. In the town of Noyelles-sur-Mer, Camille Roussel is planning her escape from an abusive marriage, and to end a love affair that can no longer continue. When Camille offers Pauline a room for her stay, the two women become friends. But it’s not long before Pauline uncovers a perilous secret that Camille has been hiding from her. As their dangerous situation escalates, the two women are forced to make a terrible decision that will bind them together for the rest of their lives.
Why You Should Read This Book…
I do not know what Janie Chang puts in her novels, but in spite of me theoretically not being the target audience for this novel, I could not put it down.
I recognise that I’m an oddity as a hist-fic reader, but I do not gravitate towards stories based around either World War. (Or really any wars) However, Chang’s novels continue to pull me in and enthral me.
She is a talented author, and she uses her talents to bring forward the stories of those largely forgotten by historians. I will fully admit to knowing only the basics of the First World War, but I had no knowledge that the Allied Forces brought in labours from China (and elsewhere.) She brought Theo’s story to life through relatively few letters- they were heartbreaking to read/listen to, but wove his story beautifully. Pauline and Camille’s stories were no less heartbreaking but I loved that we were able to follow both fully.
All three audiobook narrators were wonderful, as well!
Is The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
I am with you on not generally liking historical fiction about either world wars. We can be odd together!
It takes a bit of work, but I’m committed to finding the non-WW hist fic for us!!