Zhang, J: Four Treasures of the Sky

Four Treasures of the Sky reminded me of C. Pam Zhangs How much of these Hills is Gold (which I read in German, it’s also a very good book by the way). It has the same raw power of a girl trying to find its place in this world while enduring trying times. Whilst we start our journey in China getting to know Daiyu and her childhood we do end up in the US in the 1880s and all the problems that come with it. It’s not only a journey to find one’s own identity, but also a coming of age story, a book which deals with racism, prejudice and trust. I loved how Daiyus passion for calligraphy was like a steady companion, how the Chinese characters she learned and cherished were incorporated into the storytelling. Four Treasures of the Sky made me cry like only a few books have, so definitly a 5 out of 5.