Inheritance: A Novel

As few can, Lan Samantha Chang, has woven a beautifully tight dramatic tale of the wide spectrum of Chinese family traditions and myths, and their paradoxes, that have served as the pillars for its survival as well as its dysfunction, but in the end survives. She takes us through the historical background of a people that have been both submissive and heroic; defeatist and optimist who believe that they are the center of the world. She has not only researched China's history and geography, but also the inner workings of its mind and heart. She shows us how strong love is often confused with possession, as if the love for family gives some the right to live their children's, siblings and spouses lives without their consent - A one way hard drive to dysfunction that in the end is survived by forgiveness,appreciation and mystical ancestral love. Yet,if we read pass the lines, it is not just a Chinese story, but an universal tale of the Myths of Humankind and a reminder that Love and Forgiveness are the most important gifts.I thank her for telling the story.

The characters were a wonderful real. It was a very intense and interesting time in China's history. Although my great grand Mother was pure Chinese from China arriving in Hawaii during the late 1800. as a family, we didnt learn about our Chineese heritage. Therefore Enjoyed the story & Highly recommend this novel.

Because I lived in China for a year, I enjoy reading about this diverse and unique country. Inheritance is a sad book about two sisters. And, it makes me wonder, are there ever any happy books about China? This is not my favorite book relating to China, so there are other books I would recommend reading before this one. Probably the most classic is THE GOOD EARTH.

This was a book I found hard to put down and anxious to pick up again.The author's ability to create characters whom I could relate to was a magnetic force of the book. BecauseI have lived and taught in China, once in Hangzhou, I could easily identify with the cultural aspects; however, anyone with an interest in Chinese culture would enjoy Inheritance.

This novel captures so much of what I have experienced in my 30 plus years of Taiwan and China. So many lives were transformed in 1949 and this is best understood by understanding Taiwan’s history. Nicely written, nicely read.

Mothers, daughters, lovers and friends … A world blended in love and betrayal . Beautifully written in a book that was extremely hard to put down . Tears, many, many tears shed through reading about the lives of these complicated relationships .

Loved to read about the Chinese symbols of things. Thought the author skipped around too much. here were times she put oo much different ideas in thee same paragraph.

Very interesting plot, kept my attention.

After reading "Hunger", written by the same author, I find this book is lack of depth.