Afong Moy is sent against her will from her native China to America. Here, with her “outsider” Asian features and. bound feet, she is treated as both a curiosity and freak. Abandoned, she gives birth in a dirty alley. From here we meet six generations of female descendants. All share her sadness and heartbreak. It would seem they share her strength and courage as well. It is through Dorothy’s memories we experience the events of their lives; it is through Dorothy that we find resolution. According to family wisdom, each generation is built upon the ruins of the past. The structure of Jamie Ford’s novel can be confusing in places; the characters are not presented chronologically. One must pay close attention to both the character’s name and time period to stay focused. There are multiple references to water; heavy rains and ocean crossings among them. One of the “daughters” quotes another as describing people as “bubbles” in a stream. This work reminds us of the importance and inter-connectivity of those who go before us and those who follow.

This book was truly a stunner in many ways, and I thank #NetGalley and #Atria Books for an advance copy. Very much appreciated—a unique and complex read. The writing and characterizations of the various related women are superb and their stories dramatic and immersive . Jamie Ford explores the theory of epigenetics as it relates to inherited trauma through the stories of “the first Chinese woman in America,” Afong Moy, and her female descendants. Dorothy and her young daughter Annabel are the most advanced, time-wise, of the “daughters’” described, and Dorothy has some form of dissociative disorder, while Annabel appears to be displaying similar early behavioral issues.

Thus, Dorothy seeks psychological help of an innovative, experimental variety after losing teaching jobs through mental episodes. Her therapist is Dr. Shedhorn. To me, Dr Shedhorn’s discussion with Dorothy, of her experimental process which putatively uncovers past-lives experiences affecting the patient’s present was especially fascinating. My family history involves several tragedies as do that of many others, I’m sure, so the notion of preventing tragedies in future generations was highly intriguing.

The individual daughters’ stories and heartaches are detailed and cover many time histories, which contribute to complexity for a reader; one almost needs notes to keep track of the characters and how elements of their stories are later changed for the better.

Despite the complexity, I loved the wordsmithing and expression of Mr. Ford and will be thinking about this book for a long time. In sum, it is a masterpiece and fascinating.

3.5 stars
The premise is interesting, but I wasn’t sure if it was for me. I’m a fan of Jamie Ford’s books and I love how he honors his great grandfather by writing about about Chinese people and how there usually are real events or people from history that serve as inspiration for his stories. I had never heard of epigenetics until this novel, but because it was written by Ford, I decided to give it a chance. It’s a science and there are numerous articles you can find on the web explaining it, articles which discuss the shared trauma aspects of it. I’ll leave it at that rather than trying to explain something I don’t quite understand.

It is, though, an intriguing topic and Ford’s wonderful story telling capabilities are reflected in the stories of multiple generations of women, focusing on their shared trauma. What worked for me was the characters, the historical and cultural reflections and their connections, their personal stories and, yes their shared trauma. I was taken by Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to come to the US. Her story is interesting and sad. What didn’t work for me was the way in which Dorothy Moy in 2045 makes that connection with her ancestors through an experimental treatment. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what happens and suspend my disbelief. I found it difficult at times to get what was happening. Because I did find some of the things that I loved in those earlier novels in this one, I’ll round up to 4 stars and I will continue to look for what Jamie Ford writes.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Atria Books through Edelweiss and NetGalley.

Wow, this book sucked me in with its multigenerational narrative of seven women. It’s sounds like a lot of people of follow, but Jamie Ford is incredible at pacing this novel, giving the reader clues that connect their stories. I’m terms of large themes, this novel traces intergenerational trauma, starting from the (inspired by real life) Afong Moy, one of the first Chinese women in the US. Made a sideshow spectacle, it’s clear how Afong’s fear, shame, and desire to escape carries in the bloodline well beyond her. In its most modern chapters, Ford explores the world of epigenetics—-introducing a clinic to help one descendent understand (and untangle) all of these generational memories. Dorothy, the artist-mother trying to better herself for her daughter, was one of the most compelling to me—-heart-wrenching at many points.

Without spoilers, the end of this book asks for a sudden rush of the imagination, which surprised me, but there’s a trust that Ford establishes with the reader that made the letting go worth it.

Get this on your lists!

This epic novel exploring generational trauma was immersive and unlike anything else I've read. It was evident that the author dedicated years of research to all aspects of the story because the details for each generational story stood out. The characters were really well developed and seeing the links between all of the women pulled me through the story. I did have a little trouble at first keeping all of the women and the time frames in which they were living straight, but once I got further into the story it was easier to keep up. There were snippets of hope throughout the book but overall it was heart-wrenching. I learned a lot about history, genetics, and racism. I loved that all of the leading characters were women who were both strong and vulnerable. I wish it had been a little shorter, and I did feel like there was a touch too much science jargon when it came to the parts about epigenetics. Overall, reading this novel felt like being completely submerged in a story that I will be thinking about for a long time.

Fans of Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet will have much to look forward to when they immerse themselves in his new book. An ambitious undertaking, Ford examines the lives of 7 women, beginning with the historical character Afong Moy who was claimed to be the first Chinese woman to grace the shores of the US in 1834. I doubt there was any collaboration but the Public Theatre in NYC is currently producing "The Chinese Lady" which purports to visualize Afong's story almost two centuries after her arrival. What a great trip it would be if book groups could see the play as an outing after they had read the book.
All the characters in the book had distinct life chronicles that were splayed out through different regions and times.(1834-2086). Through the use of these 7 related women the concept of epigenetics is explored but in a unique manner. He begs the question; can emotional trauma and upheaval be transmitted through generations outside of the DNA code? Using this as a hypothesis Ford explores initial traumas and how they were manifested from generation to generation. The pivotal character, Dorothy(2045), goes to a doctor to use an experimental therapy designed to help alleviate her mental anguish by connecting her to her past ancestral memories. By exploring the ancestors own connection to one another and the crises they were exposed to it was hoped that it would mitigate the accumulating emotional tolls in the future. Each related character had her own story that was beautifully crafted, fascinating and quite unique from one another. As there was no particular order when their story was presented, I had to regroup when I picked up the book again to remember who and where they were in the story chain. Although sometimes disorienting, it never became a point of contention for me. It was easy to invest oneself into each vignette as they were all heart stealing characters with such a engrossing tale to tell. Ford neatly ties the final chapters together with a big bow, but leaving us with many questions to ponder. Book clubs will love this!

Wonderful. Uplifting. A woman , an artist, a soul in need of peace. A poet with a disorder that relives the past in Such vivid and sure detail that she worries when it seems her daughter is doomed to the same fate. Are gives herself over to new new treatment in order to save her child. It’s a look into the life of someone who experiences mental challenges. Intelligent, insightful, heroic.

Like millions of other readers, I fell in love with Jamie Ford’s writing with his first novel, “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.” What a wonderful story. Now Ford has written his most complex novel yet; one that I am not sure that I understand.

At the root of this novel is a burgeoning science, epigenetics. It is “the transfer of the memories of trauma through generations, or inherited trauma.” I’m not sure that I fully understand it epigenetics, and therefore did not fully understand the novel. I read this book about two months ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I try to understand that if some of my trauma’s haven been handed down; but I’m not sure.

Anyway, Daughters is told via seven narrators, all descendants of Afong Moy, who is a historical figure. She was the first known Chinese woman to step foot on American soil back in 1834. She traveled across the country as an oddity and was part of P. T. Barnum’s circus for a while.

In real-life, it is not known of Afong had any descendants, but Ford gives us six. Each of his characters can trace a direct lineage to Afong. The timeframes for those six characters are 1942, 2045, 2014, 1927, 1892 and 2086.

The most dominate narrators is Dorothy in 2045. She lives in Seattle with her husband, Louis, and daughter. Annabel. She is Washington State’s poet laureate. A tropical storm is battering the West Coast, and Seattle is in its eye. The winds are so strong, that she can feel her apartment building sway. Annabel is a creepy little girl, and I think she is the one suffering most from the inherited traumas of her ancestors.

Plus, and I’m not sure if this is correct, Dorothy can time travel. It is she who goes back to those other times and sees/participates in the events. I think; I’m not sure.

Thankfully, Ford only delved into the science once. It was rather dull. However, the transitions between narrators are seamless. I did enjoy the different characters’ plotlines. If I am ever asked if I recommend “The Many Daughters of Afong Moy,” I would say that it “is complicated, but I enjoyed it.” Therefore, “The Many Daughters of Afong Moy,” receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

This is the first novel I've read this year that I didn't want it to end. I was so fascinated with these women's lives that I skipped watching anything after dinner for a week and went straight to my Kindle to read the review copy I downloaded. I didn't want to rush it but I wanted to know what happened to Dorothy. The novel resonated with me because I was reading it after a trip to the Pacific Northwest and I could definitely picture the surroundings.

The novel brings attention to immigrants, cultural differences and how we treat mental health issues. While the plot is difficult to explain, I very much appreciated reading the author's note at the beginning giving the background about the science behind the experimental treatment that Dorothy uses to alleviate her pain. Full disclosure: I am a dedicated reader of Jamie Ford's works and I look forward to suggesting this newest book to my library readers.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford is an innovative blend of historical fiction and speculative fiction. The story revolves around several women in the Moy family, including Dorothy Moy, whose story takes place in 2085. In an experimental procedure, Dorothy connects her ancestors, which take place in various countries and times. What will she discover about inherited trauma?

Here is a captivating excerpt from Chapter 1, which takes place in 1942:

"Wasted. That’s what her father said when she turned him down. “Fei-jin? Why do you have to be this way? No one likes a stubborn girl.”
She’d tried not to roll her eyes. “Why can’t you call me Faye like everyone else?”
“Because I’m not everyone else. Look at you. You’re not getting any younger. You should be happy someone still wants you at your age.”
She’d been twenty-seven.
But as much as Faye had wanted to share her life with someone, to watch a sunset in the arms of somebody who wouldn’t leave before sunrise, even then she knew that want was not the same as need. She’d refused to settle for convenience, or to abet her aching loneliness. She went to Lingnam University instead. She told herself that if she stopped looking, eventually the right person would come along.
That was decades ago."

Overall, The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a lovely speculative fiction novel that will appeal to fans of The Midnight Library or The Fortunes of Jaded Women. One highlight of this book is how interesting it was to get a glimpse of life from Chinese women in various places and times. I learned a lot about history from reading this book. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that having chapters from 6 POV's was kind of confusing. My favorite POV's were Afong and Greta's, because I found their stories the most interesting. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in August!

I loved this novel (by the author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet) and found I could not stop thinking about it after I finished. Dorothy was such an interesting character, and I just loved her and her little girl. The premise in this book is so intriguing and the writing is so beautiful that I just couldn’t put it down.
A big thank you for my friends at Simon and Schuster for reaching out with this one for me!

Description
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.

Thanks to Atria and Netgalley for providing this ARC. I think Jamie Ford has another winning novel here. I greatly enjoyed the historical aspects of the book, as well as the time traveling (sort of, you’ll have to read it!) approach. I find his characterizations of women to be very good, which is what I thought about his previous novel, songs of Willow Frost. Highly recommended for anyone who has enjoyed his prior works, or just enjoys historical fiction.

I am a huge Jaime Ford fan! His book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is one of my all time favorites. He loves to write about his heritage and does amazing research.
Some say memories are based on DNA and you can have memories of your ancestors. This book takes you through several time lines over 3 centuries. It starts with the first Japanese woman to come to American and ends in 2086 with the history of the women in her family. I loved reading their stories and cannot pick one as my favorite. In 2045, Dorothy seeks physiological help to find out why she is having strange memories. They use her as a test study to bring back more of these memories. She is able to go back through these memories as her ancestors and change some of the terrible things that happened.
I wish the storylines would have been expanded on some more. Also I would have loved to have seen what the changes Dorothy made to the past affects the future.
As much as I loved the story, I was left with many questions

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy follows multiple generations of women, from the 1830s into the middle of the 21st century. First is the titular Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to live in the United States. After becoming a ghost bride in China, she’s sent to America, where she falls into a difficult life as a novelty in a circus. In the 1890s, we meet Lai King Moy, a young girl whose family is ripped apart by a pandemic that strikes her home in San Francisco. In the 1920s, Zoe Moy is a teenaged student at a famously democratic school in England. Faye Moy is a nurse in China in the 1940s, haunted by the death of a patient and an inexplicable note he held with him. In 2014, Greta Moy is launching a successful dating app but facing her own romantic and professional entanglements.

Tying it all together is Dorothy Moy in Seattle in 2045. Her whole life, she has suffered from depression, but now she’s having dissociative episodes. She’s lost her job and she may be a danger to her five-year-old daughter. Desperate for a solution, Dorothy seeks out experimental treatment related to epigenetics and inherited trauma. Through her treatments, Dorothy connects with her ancestors and the traumas they faced in their lifetimes – traumas that have impacted Dorothy’s mental health and maybe that of her daughter. Can she unravel the past in order to heal her present?

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a complex, multi-layered, stunning novel. In some ways it plays out like a collection of short stories, yet they’re all intimately connected. There are six POV characters with whom to get familiar, but while multiple introductions can slow a book down, that is not a problem here. Jamie Ford writes in such a way that each character instantly feels relatable and important. Their stories are each distinct and nuanced, holding the reader’s attention across times and settings. Each character’s arc is equally engaging and thought-provoking.

It is clear that author did a ton of research on this book. With each of the six settings, he draws on real events, places, or people. Afong Moy truly was the first Chinese American woman; there really was a pandemic in late-1800s San Francisco. Even the dating app that Greta develops in 2014 is based on a real startup that has, sadly, not been able to develop as fully as in this novel. Jamie Ford also researched the effects climate change is likely to have in two decades’ time, specifically in the Pacific Northwest.

Perhaps most fascinating in The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is the concept of epigenetics. This is actually a real field of study, one that I personally plan to read more about. Jamie Ford cites evidence of inherited trauma, and this is what forms the core of this novel. Indeed, each of the Moy women face some kind of trauma in their lives, from sexual harassment or rape to death of loved ones to being locked in an asylum simply for living your truth. (These are just some of the content warnings to consider before reading this novel.)

But as each woman goes through unique hardships, how do those experiences get passed on to the next generation? How might Dorothy’s mental health be a result of the horrors her ancestors faced? Moreover, how can she break the cycle?

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is often heart-wrenching, and each character suffers to some degree. However, the entire ending sequence filled my soul with happiness. I won’t say why, but it made my already 5-star book into something off the charts.

This book blends genres, like sci-fi, magical realism, literary fiction, and historical fiction. It opens pathways to numerous events and topics worth reading about further, whether you want to learn more about Afong Moy or epigenetics or that experimental school in England. Ultimately, it reminds readers to learn your family history, tell family members you love them, and consider how you can make positive change for your future.

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It captures so many different themes, types of characters, and genres, and yet it never feels disconnected or incomplete. Rather, it all adds up to a novel that is powerful, thought-provoking, and multi-layered. Despite hardships the characters face, the ending brought tears of joy to my eyes. This is a masterful novel that I will probably gift to everyone I know.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The basis for this story is of several generations of dysfunctional and psychologically scarred women. I have loved previous books by this author, but this one just didn't appeal to me.

This author has a knack for constructing beautiful love stories while at the same time seamlessly filling in historical details of bygone eras. He explores sensitive issues, like in this case mental health, but they are well treated, and add depth and poignancy to his stories.

Dorothy Moy has depression and dissociative episodes, and fears her five-year-old daughter has inherited her condition. She seeks help and agrees to undergo an experimental treatment by which she connects to women from other generations in her family. Afong Moy is from the farthest in the past, and she is based on an actual person, who, in 1834, was the first recognized Chinese woman to arrive in America.

The story is not told in chronological order but weaves back and forth among the woman's lives. In addition to Afong the women include Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Annabel Moy, from the future.

But there is something more: Dorothy discovers a stranger searching for her in each time period and who has loved her through all the Moy guises over the years. Thus she wants to discover not only whether she can be healed, and whether her daughter can be spared, but the identity of this stranger and if she ever connect with him.

Evaluation: The author has chosen an interesting and entertaining trope by which to explore the changing situation of Chinese women who left their country and tried to build lives elsewhere. Dorothy encounters much pain among her ancestors, but like all of Ford’s other stories, there is sweetness mixed in with the bitterness.

I LOVED "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy", by Jamie Ford! Cleverly constructed with fascinating layers of generations with their unique stories and traumatic events, reflected in the DNA of the next generation. Just brilliant, this book has certainly resonated with me. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early review copy. All opinions are my own.

THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY
by Jamie Ford
Atria Books
Pub Date: Aug 2

Jamie Ford's latest novel has a concept that intrigues but an execution that doesn't fully work for me.

The story covers multi-generations of Chinese women impacted by the trauma experienced by their ancestor, Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman in America.

We hear the alternating voices of Afong's "daughters": Faye, serving with the Flying Tigers as a nurse in China; Zoe, a student in England; Lai King, quarantined in San Fran during an epidemic; tech exec Greta: and Dorothy, Washington’s former poet laureate who suffers from dissociative disorder.

When Dorothy begins to see the same symptoms in her daughter, she seeks help through an experimental treatment aimed at reducing the impact of inherited trauma via connection with her ancestors.

While experiencing their painful memories as she "travels" through each generation, Dorothy finds that a loving stranger is present in each era. Will Dorothy heal? Will she ever connect with the stranger who loves her?

What works: The idea that trauma can be passed down through generations.

What didn't: The confusing manner in which many voices tell the story. That said, I applaud Ford for his fearless effort, which not many novelists would even undertake.

Thanks to the author, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#TheManyDaughtersofAfongMoy
#Jamie Ford #NetGalley #inheritedtraumanovel #Epigenetics #multigenerationalChinesefiction #firstChinesewomaninAmerica #bookstagramcommunity

What a wonderful book! I was so excited to see a new novel by Jamie Ford who is one of my favourite authors. This book was so interesting and had me in tears it was so emotional in parts. What I liked best was how unique the story was and how much I learned. I think I may research Buddhism a bit more now. Highly recommend The Many Daughters Of Afong Moy to everyone!!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nicely done multi-generational historical fiction—weirdly, the second book in a row I read discussing epigenetics and ancestor wellness, which I had never heard of prior to the previous book—a cool convergence. This one was strange and fun, a little bit Cloud Atlas–y, and very entertaining—the story of the generations of descendants of Afong Moy, the (allegedly) first Chinese woman to set foot in the United States in the early19th century, and how her trauma and harsh treatment reverberated down matrilineal lines into an imagined mid-21st. There’s a little magical realism, but it worked—an offbeat concept executed well, and I enjoyed it.