Why read The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds?

Book cover of The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds

Book description

Facing challenges in an increasingly colonial world, Chye Hoon, a rebellious young girl, must learn to embrace her mixed Malayan-Chinese identity as a Nyonya-and her destiny as a cook, rather than following her first dream of attending school like her brother.

Amidst the smells of chillies and garlic frying, Chye…

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China
Family

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Betty Bolté

Author

If you’re looking to virtually experience Asian culture, I’d highly recommend this story. Not only the language used, the expressions used, but also the décor, the clothing, the food, the religious rituals, and rites. All is woven into a beautiful tapestry of life and people in Malay. The story explores the tensions between tradition and modernizing. Especially, in this case, the Western influences on the traditions and expectations of the Asian cultures. I was reminded of the tension between my mother and myself “merely” because of the age difference, not a cultural difference. Mom was 42 when I was born,…

From Betty's list on The best historical fiction books about emotionally strong women.