It is interesting to learn about a lesser known culture. I was surprised by how much I didn't know. The characters were unique and captivating.

My heart went out to the girls in the factory & how they learned to survive so many heart breaking obsticals.

It was a wonderful story of life for all these young and old women. Having choices that they would never have experienced. It was hard work but it came with many benefits. It's a story about Pei and all the women she meets and becomes friends with at the Silk Factory. I highly recommend this book for any book club.

This was a great book with a lot of history and strong characters. Everyone in the book club easily agreed that it was a smooth flowing book, easy to discuss, however we also all agreed that the author left a lot of unwritten life from the book. We all would have liked to have read more, in that we'd have liked to have learned the fate of the brother and Pei, and Pei's sister with her family, etc.

This is an interesting story of a time and history of growing up as a Chinese girl. The story provides good discussion about family life, survival, and about being born a girl in this culture and at this time. How lucky we felt to have been born in this time and culture where things are different and opportunities abound.

This book was both heart breaking and full of joy. To be sold by your parents and receive a chance of a new life at the same time. These women make the most of their circumstances and find joy in a broken world.

"Women of the Silk” by Gail Tsukiyama

This is a really sweet book. The author’s prose is both simple and elegant at once. It is the compelling story of Pei, whom we meet at the tender age of 8. She is spirited and inquisitive and is the oldest daughter of poor peasant farmers in early 20th Century rural China.

The story is about Pei’s “unexplained abandonment”, when her parents are forced to consign her to a silk factory and her wages are sent back home to help support the family. We watch Pei’s life unfold and get to “hang out” with her for about 20 years. The novel gives a sneak-peek into the life in rural China, some of its rituals, ceremonies, and the struggles facing China at a time when they are dealing with economic change.

I must say, I was not quite ready for this book to end…but days later, I discovered there was a sequel. “The Language of Threads” continues the saga of Pei as she travels to Hong Cong when China becomes occupied during WWII. May you be compelled to read both of these amazing novels. They will stay with you long after you have read the last page.
from my book bagg briefs @ www.keepitsimplesweetee.com/books.htm

This book was enjoyable, hard to put down with the drama and never knowing what was going to happen next. I think it puts into perspective that women in China have been oppressed until recently. The only thing I did not like about the book was the ending, it felt like there was still a story to be told.

This book was a quick read, and made for some interesting discussion.