The Paper Daughters of Chinatown by Heather B. Moore

This is review 2 of 2; please read review 1 first.

This was recommended to me by Kym Powe of the CT State Library two years ago.  At the time, it was available as an ebook only.  I much prefer physical books, so when I saw this available as a hard cover from our vendor, I put it on our wish list for this school year.  

This is a fictionalized account of the life of Donaldina Cameron.  Cameron worked to save trafficked Chinese girls in late 19th century San Francisco.  Called "paper daughters" because their paperwork was falsified for entry into the United States, these girls were sold in servitude, often prostitution.  The novel is just a brief chunk of Cameron's life told through the lens of just one of the girls she saved.

This isn't an easy read.  It's history, and does not paint many in a good light.  But, it is a piece of history often left out of our textbooks and discussions.  

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.    

Born to Be Hanged by Keith Thomson

I know I have been terrible about keeping up with written reviews.  It has just been bonkers in these parts lately.  This will be review 1 of 2 today, both West Coast history. 

I really wanted to like this.  If you've followed this blog for a while, you know my obsession with pirates, especially New England and Canadian Maritime pirates.  I did not realize this was about PACIFIC pirates when I started it.  In fact I had no idea Captain Morgan, yes THAT Captain Morgan, left Jamaica to plunder the West Coast rather than the Caribbean.  

I decided to continue reading anyway.  I expected narrative non-fiction like The Murder of Helen Jewett or Conductor on the Underground Railroad, but this was wayyyyyy too wordy to hold my interest.  I gave up about midway through, and read Morgan's entry on Wikipedia instead. *shrugs 

I do hope someone out there finds this branch of pirate/West Coast history intriguing.  

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. 

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

Today's review is the Teachers and Friends Book Club selection for September.  It was chosen by city side employee Roberta and our discussion will be held at Solun next week.  

I have mixed feelings about the story.  I liked the premise.  Two young women who became friends in college meet up yearly to take a vacation in a remote spot--hiking, biking, boat rides, etc.  Last year in Cambodia, Emily was assaulted by a man they met in a bar, but was saved when Kristen burst into the room and attacked him. The man died from his injuries, but the women hid his body and were never charged. 

This year, they are going to Chile. Unfortunately, the same scenario plays out, this time Kristen is attacked.  She fights off the man, and hits him with a lamp.  They repeat their hide the body and leave the country plan.  But this man is not a local.  He's the son of a wealthy American also on vacation, and his parents are not going to let the crime go unsolved.

As the investigation continues, Emily learns more and more disturbing things about Kristen's past.

This is where I am going to stop with plot as it's a murder mystery.  That being said, the last paragraph of the book completely threw me (and Ms. Corrado...) for a loop.  I look forward to discussing it. 

I did find Emily and Kristen's dialogue a tad annoying.  They both seemed to have valley-girl esque voices in my head, despite being from Wisconsin.  Kristen reminded me of Debbie from The Addams Family movie too.  And Emily was so whiny.  I wish they were stronger female leads, but I guess that would have changed the plot significantly. 

I'll be adding this to the collection, but it will be on hold for other members until our meeting.

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.