The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

by Jamie Ford
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Historical Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 4006
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781668006320
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2022-08-02
  • Reviews: 3

Dorothy Moy, a former poet laureate, struggles with mental health and dissociative episodes, which she channels into her art. When her young daughter begins exhibiting similar behaviors and recalling memories from their ancestors' lives, Dorothy fears a inherited cycle of trauma. Seeking an experimental treatment to mitigate this generational pain, Dorothy connects with her ancestors across different eras, from a nurse in China during World War II to a tech executive in modern times. Each generation reveals a stranger who has loved her through time, offering a chance to break the cycle of abandonment and find peace for her daughter. Through these interconnected stories, the novel explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the enduring power of love. Dorothy's journey through her family's history reveals that while trauma can be inherited, so can resilience and the capacity to heal. The book weaves historical fiction with contemporary themes, creating a poignant and evocative tale of family bonds and the search for peace.

Reviews
Kirkus Reviews · 2025-10-20
fascinating 3.00

The book raises fascinating questions but falls short with a rushed and sentimental ending.

The reviewer praises the book for raising fascinating questions and exploring complex themes. However, they criticize the rushed ending, which they find unconvincing and overly sentimental. Despite this, the novel's strengths in character development and thematic depth are noted. It's a thought-provoking read that could have benefited from a more nuanced conclusion.

Quick quotes

    Ford raises fascinating questions

    a rushed ending too neatly ties up the answers in an unconvincing, sentimental bow

    The novel's strengths in character development and thematic depth

Quirky Cats Fat Stacks · 2023-02-08
solid 4.00

The writing style is the standout feature, with certain characters shining through. It's a solid read overall.

The reviewer highlights the writing style as the best part of the book, making it a solid read. While some characters particularly stood out, the overall experience is enjoyable. They appreciate the narrative's depth and the way it brings characters to life. However, it's not without its flaws, but the strengths outweigh the weaknesses.

Quick quotes

    The writing style is by far the best part

    certain characters found a way to shine as I read

    The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is a solid reading

Medium · Zachary Houle · 2022-07-28
compelling 4.50

The novel is compelling and breathtaking, tackling the daily abuses women of color endure. It's not perfect but highly impactful.

Zachary Houle finds the novel both compelling and breathtaking, particularly in its exploration of the daily abuses faced by women of color. They acknowledge that the book isn't perfect but appreciate its powerful storytelling and the important issues it raises. The emotional depth and nuanced characters make it a standout read, despite some minor flaws.

Quick quotes

    a compelling and breathtaking novel about the daily abuses women of colour endure

    The book isn't quite perfect

    Ford tends to...

Appears in Lists