I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is released on the 4th August 2020.

Lately I have been reading a lot of Japanese and Korean fiction, but not a lot of Chinese fiction, or fiction set in China, and reading this novel highlighted how much of a mistake on my part that is!

Unbound: A Tale of Love and Betrayal in Shanghai tells two stories, one of Ting starting in 1970s Shanghai and the other of Mini, Ting’s grandmother, starting in 1930s Shanghai. Despite the difference in characters and time, both are trying to navigate China as women and learn what they really want in life.

Both Ting and Mini are great characters who complement each other very well when the novel bounces between the two perspectives. I found Ting’s childhood fascinating, especially how the other children would react to news of her grandmother. However, as the novel progressed I found that I was far more keen to go further back in time to see what Mini was doing. There’s so much mystery surrounding Mini that I, like Ting, just wanted her to come back so I could hear more of her story.

That was another detail that I liked with the novel: the structure of finding out more about Mini’s life when she returns to China on visits makes the reader feel as though they are Ting waiting for her to return and listen to her story. The gradual reveal keeps the novel well paced and keeps your attention throughout.

I feel that all of the characters embody a different aspect of China and its history, from the traditions of the Shi family to Ting’s college friends desperate to escape a life of no choices. They all very much feel like products of their time and you can see that Brumfield really understands all of these different types of people and the hardships they faced, as well as put others through in some cases. A character that surprised me was Mini’s father, Mr. Pao, he is just so different from the stereotypical Chinese father which was really refreshing; he really contrasted with all of the other men that we’re introduced to in that time.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of China and China’s history is somewhat lacking, however, Brumfield’s writing truly opened my eyes to the brutality China’s people have faced and the challenges that are still faced by Chinese women. It also illustrated what life was like just after Chairman Mao’s reign, as well as, in the height of its communism. The novel made me consider things that I hadn’t before and that’s just one of the reasons why I would recommend people to read this novel.

Whilst the characters face many heartbreaking events, the novel as a whole isn’t entirely doom and gloom. The strength both Ting and Mini have to stand up to others and make their own decisions is inspiring. The final scene, without going into any detail, is uplifting and filled with hope and will stay with me for a while.

Unbound is an interesting historical family saga covering a span of time from 1935 to 1980. The book is told through alternating narratives, following Ting, a young women growing up in communist Shanghai and her grandmother, Mimi growing up in pre-communist Shanghai. These women fight the accepted principles of their country/family which enables them to choose the life they want to live.

I don't know much about Chinese history and really enjoyed the author's vivid descriptions of everyday life in Sanghai.

I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to learn about Chinese history within a compelling story.

Thank you Netgalley and Greenleaf Book Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended: yes
For a generational story of understanding, for a look at recent historical Chinese eras, for a story that pierces your heart and makes you want only the best for the characters, for a blend of romance and survival and coming-of-age.

Thoughts:
This was an elaborate and impressive saga of romance, and survival, and coming-of-age. Ting ages from a child to an adult women in the course of the story, and we see Mini from late teens to her elder years. That span alone is a lot to cover, and so the story relfects that in how long it can take to read. While it was engaging the whole way through, the concepts and stories are complex enough that it simply takes some time.

The generational story-telling aspect was generally well handled, though there were times where I had forgotten where it left off with the other person (Mini versus Ting) and had to read a few pages before I remembered how old the person was, what they were dealing with at that time, and so on. The framing of it is quite smoothly integrated into the story itself though, not just as abstract flashbacks but as stories being shared with one another that are then later referenced, as well.

Mini's story is around the time of the war and Japanese occupation, whereas Ting's life is under the Cultural Revolution and Mao's leadership. The contrast in societal expectations and standards of living are fairly drastic here, and that's highlighted in the jumps from Mini to Ting. Ting's reflections on her grandmother's stories show how hard it is for her to understand her grandmother's life when compared to her own. While this is still fiction, I get the sense that details of their stories could easily be drawn from the lives of real people. Thinking about that hurts a bit, because there was so much pain at times that I found myself quite grateful that I could hide behind it's status as a novel, instead of a memoir. Realistically though, I'm sure it's not far off from being the latter.

I'm typically a quick reader, but this one forced me to take my time. So much happened that I just needed breaks. From the pain, and from the characters at times.

This is a winding, eventful picture of three generations of women living in China. They each face their own burdens and secrets. If you're looking for an emotional, enlightening story, this debut novel is perfect.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Greenleaf Book Group for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book has been one of the best historical novels I have read in a long time. it gives great incite into past and recent norms in China. The author captures their struggles, their hardships and the love they have for their families. The author also was quite detailed on their living conditions and how they managed day to day during World war II and into the 1980's.
We could see how they lived, how they ate and what they expected from each member of the family.
I think readers will enjoy this novel very much.

I was surprised by how much I ended up liking this book. After reading the first few pages, I wasn’t captivated by the straightforward, simplistic writing style, but as the story developed, which was pretty early in the book, I was drawn to Ting and her family’s life in Shanghai, and how they were living during and after Mao’s Cultural Revolution, while Mini and her family on the other hand, were trying to survive during the pre-war days of Shanghai in the 1930’s.

The characters were engaging and well developed, and their stories just kept me turning the pages.

Ting and her parents lived in a tiny apartment with no indoor heating, where everyone else shared the same kitchen and bathroom, and were surviving on ration tickets for food. But having ration tickets didn’t mean you’d actually get it, unless you knew exactly where and when the rations will be available as store supplies were scarce and choices were limited. The same revolutionary songs were broadcasted daily on their state-run radio, and students were taught Mao thoughts and curriculum based on, none other than, Mao’s Red Book; although they had no homework, school days were 6 days a week. During Mao’s dictatorship, everyone was dressed the same as everyone else – plain – gray or blue woolen or cotton outfit modeled after Mao or known as the Mao suit. Anything Western was to be chastised. Ting witnessed an event where a woman dressed in Western clothing was brutally attacked. Ting was also bullied at school and called ‘American Spy’ after being visited by her grandmother, Mini, from America.

Back in the 1930’s, pre-war Shanghai, Mini was also faced with her own challenges. After marrying the man of her choice instead of one by an arranged marriage, her fate took a different turn. Her husband had to take a concubine because Mini wasn’t able to give him an heir to his family. Brokenhearted and unwilling to ‘share’ her husband, she divorced him. Being a divorcee brought more shame to her family. She also had to fend for her entire family after her father lost his job when the Japanese took over Shanghai. Against her wishes, she had to work for a Japanese official as his maid, and soon, loneliness betrayed her and she became his kept woman. Already burdened by guilt and hopelessness, she gave birth to another daughter, one with six toes. She had to give her away for fear of shame of having a baby out of wedlock.

It was easy to fall in love with the characters, especially Mini and Ting, who, despite being separated by two generations, shared one thing in common – their determination. It forged them forward, and they survived against all odds. Ting, after making up her mind to further her studies in America, took up on her grandmother’s offer of sponsoring her, without even seeking her parents’ permission for fear they might oppose it. Mini, unwilling to share her husband, divorced him even though it was against tradition, and determined to leave Shanghai, married a man she hardly knew and left all that were familiar behind her.
What surprised me was the supportive fathers Ting and Mini had, who loved and believed in them, even though daughters weren’t valued among the Chinese; some were killed upon birth. Ting’s father was always encouraging her to study. I loved how excited he got when they arrived at Ting’s university. He was so enthusiastic that even Ting had to catch up with him as they walked towards the university; and how he handled Ting’s registration letter so delicately like it were a ‘fragile treasure’. And I cheered when Mini’s dad discouraged his wife from making Mini a second wife, or during the time when he opposed to her taking the virginity test which he thought was 'vulgar'.

This book was a great introduction to me to pre-war Shanghai and Shanghai during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Times have changed for women then and now. Even so, daily, we still juggle our roles as filial daughters, mothers, wives, daughters-in-law, at the same time trying to chase our dreams and desires like everyone else, and some come at a sacrifice. It made me think, how different are our challenges then and now, especially our cultural and traditional beliefs? Are our challenges any different geographically? This novel made me ponder on the sacrifices my mother and grandmother had to make for me to live comfortably today. I wonder, what’s their story?

On a side note, I would’ve omitted the last sentence at the ending of the book, and leave the reader to interpret Ting’s emotions.

Overall, a brilliant debut! Kudos to the author!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for making this available to read to all reviewers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I LOVED this book. I was in a bit of a reading slump where I felt like I had to read but THIS book made me WANT to read. I am fascinated by Chinese history and I enjoyed learning about life in communist China and post Mao era with Ting's story and reading about Ming's pre-communist Japanese invasion story. I loved the characters I was especially fond of Mr. Pao, Ming's father. I went to the author's website and read that it took the author 10 years to write this and English is her second language. I would strongly encourage her to keep writing she is a gifted and talented author. Fans of Lisa See and Amy Tan will LOVE Dina Gu Brumfield. I highly recommend this book and I hope the next book is out sooner than 10 years! Many thanks to Greenleaf Book Group Press and NetGally for the ARC. I'll be adding this one to my collection.

A very engaging tale spanning three generations of Chinese women. This story gives a historical account of China, mostly taking place in Shanghai, through WWII, and is told in alternating narratives of Ting and her grandmother, Mini. Both women refuse to live bound by the dictates of their country, husbands, or duties. They both forge their own paths through hardship to live the life they choose. It's really a beautiful book.

Shanghai, 1975. Ting’s grandma, Mini, comes from US to Shanghai on a visit. Curious Ting wants to know what events lead to her grandma’s leaving Shanghai.

1935, Mini’s father works as a clerk at the British consulate and he encourages his both daughter’s to study English as he’d say – you never know what skill you may find useful in the future. Mini reveals her story to Ting.

Mini’s story takes larger portion of the book. Not much is happening in Ting’s story. If the book concentrated on Mini’s story only with some conversations and events a bit condensed, I think it’d be a much stronger story. But on a personal note, I don’t like reading family sagas. So you may feel differently.

I got attracted to this story, because of the historical and cultural background of Shanghai, which comes through vividly. The writing is of a promising writer. However, at some points I found the pace a bit too slow.

3.5 stars

I loved this book. It's an interesting story about a young woman (Ting) growing up in communist Shanghai in the 1970s and, in parallel, a story about her grandmother (Mini) growing up in the pre-war, pre-communist Shanghai. What makes this book so fascinating is the juxtaposition between the two cultures, and (less prevalent) the sad fate of Ting's mother, who lived all her life under brutal communist rule.

Thank you to Greenleaf Book Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available August 4th 2020

Set between the Cultural Revolution and the Shanghai War, Dina Gu Brumfield's "Unbound" is a breathtaking work spanning three generations of Chinese women's lives. From strong willed Mini to her daughter, duty bound Mei to her daughter, skeptical Ting, Brumfield explores what it means to survive as a woman in China. "Unbound" is unflinching and unbiased examination of sex and relationships, how one doesn't dictate the other and how both can be used to leverage freedom and privilege, as though the woman themselves have shaken loose from history's shackles. As time moves forward, I hope we see more and more of these narratives, of the comfort women, of the many underhanded interactions that happen in the shadows to keep empires afloat.

An engaging story about a Chinese multi-generational family. I typically do not read historical fiction, but enjoy reading about other cultures. This book centering around the hardships of the women and their individual stories, kept my interest to the very end.

The writing is historical, taking place during the Japanese invasion of China, and flows in a manner that takes readers into the lives of the strong women who are the main focus. I stayed up late many nights reading as I wanted to learn what happened next. Chapter titles are creative and give just a hint about what will come up in the chapter.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy reading about Chinese culture, past and present.

Unbound is a lengthy story, but I relished every word. The author packs a lot of history into the narrative. Starting in the 1930s, through WWII, and China's reopening to the west in the late 20th century. The author weaves two separate stories: Mina and granddaughter Ting. There is much sorrow and hardship. The author provides such rich detail about the food, clothing, and culture of Shanghai. There is one part of the story that wasn't left unfinished and I was disappointed it wasn't resolved. I don't know if a sequel is planned.

Unbound is a generational story of growth and love through chinese culture and time jumps between grandmother and granddaughter. Also has pre Mao-zedong to afterwards also brings up how much he effected chinese culture Also how much World War two and japense almost fully taking over china effected life running in general.

Brings up western ideals versus Traditionalism and judgment of those ideas. Journey between Mother and daughter To grandmother and daughter goes on and belief in a strong will and life. Also the discrimination between peasants and rich class.

I highly recommend this book to read for generational bonding, historical reality and commonalties.

I was given this Arc by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.