“Song of Praise for a Flower” by Fengxian Chu with Charlene Chu

SONG OF PRAISE FOR A FLOWER

Fengxian Chu with Charlene Chu
CreateSpace (2017)
ISBN 9781976424540
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (3/18)

“A passionate and sometimes heartbreaking personal account.”

Fengxian Chu’s manuscript “Song of Praise for a Flower,” lay hidden in a bank vault for nearly two decades before her cousin from America persuaded her to release it. That in itself tells me a lot about the value of this personal historical story about her life in China from the 1920s to the 1980s.

I found the historical information on Japanese occupation and Chinese Communist Party quite interesting, in particular, how individuals were treated, how farming communities were developed, which turned families against each other with greed and jealousy. It is very heartbreaking to hear that families, especially children had to rely on eating bugs, and leaves because they were deprived basic needs. Through all this, the author harbors no resentment toward those who cruelly punished, starved, or abused her family. She only wants to know why. This book is a legacy for her children and their children.

I believe everyone should read this passionate, sometimes heartbreaking personal account of what it was like for the Chinese during this time period. There are very few memoirs written by women during this period, and I honestly learned so much about customs, taboos, and the resilience of the Chinese people. I highly recommend “Song of Praise for a Flower” by Fengxian Chu with Charlene Chu, as it provides encouragement to face one’s adversity head on and continue to be positive regardless of what comes our way.