Format: Kindle EditionChange
Price:$3.99
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on January 26, 2014
A book that made me smile and cry and laugh out loud. I loved every page of this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.
At first I wasn't sure I relate to the Chinese setting, but the book is about universal feelings. The love of a partner and of family. The pride in one's work and place in society. And how we judge ourselves by how others see us.
The story is of a seemingly uncomplicated man who recycles other people's rubbish to make a living. Only the deeper you get in the book, the deeper you understand how complex the man is.
He collects children who for one reason or another have been discarded by their parents. He doesn't judge the parents but accepts each girl into his home where his wife and him do all that they can to give them a good life.
The author is brilliant in how she shows how life is difficult with little money for luxuries, or even for necessities, but full of love and kindness. The family's struggles but there always seem to be hope.
This is one of those books that the story will remain with me long after the book has ended. A must read.
At first I wasn't sure I relate to the Chinese setting, but the book is about universal feelings. The love of a partner and of family. The pride in one's work and place in society. And how we judge ourselves by how others see us.
The story is of a seemingly uncomplicated man who recycles other people's rubbish to make a living. Only the deeper you get in the book, the deeper you understand how complex the man is.
He collects children who for one reason or another have been discarded by their parents. He doesn't judge the parents but accepts each girl into his home where his wife and him do all that they can to give them a good life.
The author is brilliant in how she shows how life is difficult with little money for luxuries, or even for necessities, but full of love and kindness. The family's struggles but there always seem to be hope.
This is one of those books that the story will remain with me long after the book has ended. A must read.
on September 19, 2014
After escaping the harsh conditions of a commune during the Cultural Revolution, Benfu, repays his benefactor's kindness by adopting abandoned infants he finds while scavenging for trash. It's Little Women set in present-day China. The family lives in mind blowing poverty but one cannot doubt the love they have for each other. Nevertheless, nothing stays the same. One of the older daughters, Linnea, takes up with the spoiled son of government officials. Benfu despises any member of the governing class, holding them responsible for his hardship and humiliation he suffered during the Cultural Revolution, Will this resentment lead him to torpedo his daughter's chances for happiness? Benfu is also afflicted by a nagging cough and a premonition of his own mortality. He worries for the fate of the family he has lovingly assembled. The ending is an affirmation of faith in humanity.
on January 7, 2015
The author did live in China for five years and the book was inspired by a news story of a scavenger running his own orphanage with over 20 adopted daughters. As a Chinese I had to smile at the way how the writer described the Chinese culture. Yet, I still give the book 5-star because most readers are not Chinese. For example, among all the elder Chinese I had never heard a single husband saying "I love you" to his wife, vice versa. The book described the old scavenger and his wife being deeply in love with each other having the conversation between them that were totally not Chinese. Despite my criticism, the message of the book was loud and clear, i.e. we got wonderful people in a miserable world. It is worth your time to read because the story worms our heart. It is a like a fairy tale.
on August 15, 2015
The only way to describe this heartwarming, 5+5 novel is BRAVO!!!!!!! Bravo!!!!! I can not wait to continue my journey with the Scavenger's Daughters...such a story of excellence The SCAVENGER'S DAUGHTERS.. Author Kay Bratt delivers pure enjoyment at its best! Thank you, Miss Kay, for the beautiful journey......
on January 3, 2015
This book tells the story of a trash collector in China in post Mao age. Inspired by a true story, Benfu discovers abandoned girls and brings them home to his beloved wife California where they raise more than 2 do dozen girls on the money he makes from collecting trash. The story is told from his point of view along with one of his daughters who falls in love with a young man who has tied to the government. Both worlds are highlighted as the relationship unfolds. Benfu refuses to give his permission for the relationship to continue but when his health breaks down he's forced to face his aversion to the government in his concern that the girls be taken care of in his potential demise. The ending is precious and heartwarming as the family triumphs against extreme odds.
on October 30, 2015
A powerful expose of not so much a trade in human flesh but a dumping of new souls unwanted by either a political campaign or by the simple fact that they are either female or different because of a physical impediment.
The protagonists are poor in wealth but rich in humanity and so begins our introduction to family bonds of love, respect and the simple fact of being wanted.
Bratt writes with a rawness or maybe its the fact that her subject is rawness because the web she weaves is joyful and full of hope.
Powerful imagery, heartbreaking reality.
Thank God she has written sequels because we yearn for more.
The protagonists are poor in wealth but rich in humanity and so begins our introduction to family bonds of love, respect and the simple fact of being wanted.
Bratt writes with a rawness or maybe its the fact that her subject is rawness because the web she weaves is joyful and full of hope.
Powerful imagery, heartbreaking reality.
Thank God she has written sequels because we yearn for more.
on April 18, 2014
I was so impressed with this author I ordered all 4 books. I have finished 3 and working on the 4th. Sometimes she is a little wordy but the characters are really interesting and well thought out. Each book interweaves with the original but each book stands on its own.The stories of these "daughters" are really believable. Not heavy duty reading but genuinely enjoyable.
on November 16, 2016
A lovely story, and quite unique.
on April 1, 2017
This wonderful story of love and adversity is a great read. It's set in China and is about humanity overcoming prejudice and the importance of family and tradition. It would make a wonderful mini series if the other books in the series are just as good!
