Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel

A country at war. A family searching for home.

China, 1938. Meilin and her four-year-old son, Renshu, flee their burning city as Japanese forces advance. On the perilous journey that follows, across a China transformed by war, they find comfort and wisdom in their most treasured possession, a beautifully illustrated hand scroll filled with ancient fables.

Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. Though his daughter, Lily, is desperate to understand her heritage, he refuses to talk about his childhood in China. How can he tell his story when he’s left so much behind?

Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is a bold and moving story about the haunting power of our past, the sacrifices we make to protect our children, and one family’s search for a place to call home.

A BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB PICK AND NOMINEE FOR “BOOK OF THE YEAR”
NOMINATED FOR THE GOODREADS CHOICE “BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR”

“An accomplished first novel.” —New York Times Book Review

“A stunning achievement . . . I absolutely adored this novel about love and war, migration and belonging.” —Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

“I so enjoyed this book.” —Alisa Chang, NPR’s All Things Considered

“Magical and powerful, Peach Blossom Spring brings to life the costs of wars and conflicts while illuminating the spirit of human survival.”―Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, author of The Mountains Sing

“Expansive, atmospheric, and affecting.” —Susie Yang, author of White Ivy