Overview

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

“One of the most beautiful books of motherhood and what we pass on to those that come after us.” —Jenna Bush Hager, Today

The New York Times bestselling author of the “mesmerizing and evocative” (Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet returns with a powerful exploration of the love that binds one family across the generations.

Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living.

As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help.

Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America.

As painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories. Dorothy endeavors to break the cycle of pain and abandonment, to finally find peace for her daughter, and gain the love that has long been waiting, knowing she may pay the ultimate price.

Review

Afong Moy was the first Chinese person to be brought to the USA. Dorothy, the poet laureate of Washington, is experiencing severe bouts of depression and she seeks help. She discovers some past regressions from a previous life or rather from a previous relative, Afong Moy. And this leads to many discoveries about herself and possibly a past life lover.

This story follows several characters through several time periods. Some time periods were more interesting than others. But all the characters are related through one person, Afong Moy. And what they are experiencing in their lives all go back to her.

I fluctuated between 3 and 4 stars. I ended up giving this book 4 stars based on originality and uniqueness. Plus, this book had me researching Afong Moy. And yes she did exist! So, this story is very unique in its premise. It is just slow in places.

Need a good book which will have you reflecting on your life…THIS IS IT! GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest opinion.

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