Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama (1993, Paperback, Reprint)

While I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I only gave it a "good" rating because the sequel, The Language of Threads, is even better. Gail Tsukiyama has written several novels, all with a Chinese Japanese insight and background. They are a good read and an easy read and I highly recommend them if you would like a peek into a different culture, history and lifestyle. The courage, struggles, strength of her characters in "Women of the Silk" will leave your heart warm and your mind anxiously waiting to read the next in the series. You will follow Pei as she endures what many of us never could imagine living through. While the story is of a factional character, the lifestyle of the silk worker women, children is based on fact. I highly recommend this book especially if you are looking for a new author who has several interesting books to her credit.

I bought this book because we were reading it in my book club. It was a wonderful book which everyone in my club liked which is unusual.You learn so much about China and the life of women from from 1919 to the 1930's. The only negative about the book is that the ending is disappointing, because you want to know what happens next. I would suggest buying The Language of Threads, the sequel, to read immediately after you finish this book. I have not read it yet, but can't wait.

Very interesting book. Read by my book club. All the ladies felt it was informative about this era of China and the way girls are/where treated then and are very glad they did not have to live through it. Recommend this book.

I love how Gail T. writes, her descriptions are wonderful and so long that you could get tired ot it. The book is filled with human emotions and love and hope. It is a fiction based on historical facts.

I bought it because I had read "The Language of Threads" and wanted to read the prequel. Both books are excellent stories of life for a woman growing up in China before, during, and after the WWII years; the obstacles she faced, the choices she made, etc. Not flowery or sentimental, but heart wrenching nonetheless.

It's a revealing book as to China's social history and what goes on behind the scens of something as commonplace as how silk is made. It's characters are both sad and endearing. It is compelling reading for both the interesting characters, as well as the social structure in which they find themselves.

I bought it because I read one of her current best sellers and wanted to read more of her books.