55 pages • 1 hour read
Peter Ho DaviesThe Fortunes
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies is a historical novel composed of four interconnected stories that explore the experiences of Chinese immigrants and their descendants across different generations in the United States. The stories, “Celestial Railroad,” “Your Name in Chinese,” “Tell it Slant,” and “Disorientation,” examine themes of anti-Chinese racism, assimilation, and identity shaped by historical events in China and the US. Characters experience anti-Asian prejudice and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Peter Ho Davies' The Fortunes has garnered praise for its compelling exploration of Chinese-American identity and history through four interconnected stories. Reviewers appreciate its lyrical prose and nuanced characters, but some critique the pacing and fragmented narrative structure. Overall, it's celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and rich historical context.
Who Should Read The Fortunes?
A reader who appreciates The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies would enjoy complex narratives exploring identity, culture, and history. Comparable to The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz, this novel appeals to those intrigued by multifaceted characters and the immigrant experience.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Race / Racism
Immigration / Refugee
History: World
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Identity: Race
Asian Literature
Historical Fiction
Chinese Literature