2022: I was feeling pretty mediocre on this book, until I hit PART THREE and I was reinvigorated all the way through the end!

This book was hard to follow; the chronology was deliberately vague and Zhang tries to keep her readers in the dark for the big reveal. Unfortunately, this almost lost me by the end of it; I was too confused! It was constantly unclear whether I was reading about characters' hopes and dreams, or real things that had happened to them. This was definitely intended and part of the magic.

Part III turned the whole arc of the book around for me. I had ZERO inclination that a change in narrator was coming, and I was completely taken by surprise. But it totally worked! It finally gave me some answers, cleared up what was really happening, and really helped to stabilize the storyline. That being said, I can absolutely see how some readers might drop off before even making it to Part III. If I had another book ready to go in Libby, I definitely would have been more inclined to DNF this book.

Here's the deal: these kids were waaaaay too young to be dealing with all of this. And I know it was a different time and I know that sometimes terrible things happen to young people and STILL I was blown away every time I was reminded that Sam was 12 or that Lucy was 16. There's also a very interesting thru line of Sam identifying as male, and struggling to outwardly display masculinity. It was a very convincing account, to me at least, of how difficult I imagine it would have been to be trans in the 1840's. Also because every single one of these male characters were awful. Like who would have been a role model for these kids?? No one!

While I was in the middle of reading this book, I was asked to provide a recommendation for a "fun and light read" by my mother. THIS BOOK IS NOT IT. DO NOT PICK THIS UP IF YOU WANT LIGHT AND FUN - you will be disappointed.