The Language of Threads: A Novel

This was one of the most popular books of my book discussion group. Everyone loved it. I t is a great story and has people that you can care about. Go for it!

This year I was introduced to the author Gail Tsukiyama when a book group I belong to chose to read The Samurai's Garden. Gulping this book down in a matter of hours and loving every page, I then read her newest book Dreaming Water and Tsukiyama's first book Women of the Silk. Both books were wonderful and now that I have finished the sequel to Women of the Silk, The Language of Threads, I wish I could be reading all of these books for the first time.The Language of Threads picks continues the story of Pei wh we first met in the previous book Women of the Silk. The Language of Threads begins in 1938 Pei at 28 is bound for Hong Kong and the Japanese have begun occupying China. At the age of 8, Pei who was given by her parents to the Sisterhood to become a silk worker. But now the silk factories are all but gone and the other silk workers are scattered around China trying to steer clear of the Japanese. Accompanying Pei on this voyage is Ji Shen, a 14 year-old girl, who after watching her parents and sister killed by the Japanese made her way to the girl's house of the Sisterhood where the silk workers vowed to care for her. When the time comes for Pei to leave the area, she cannot forget the promises made to Ji Shen and makes plans to travel and care for her.Once in Hong Kong, Pei is reunited with other sisters of the silk factory who now work as domestics in grand homes. Pei is immediately employed but learns the hard way that she won't be treated as fairly as before in Hong Kong. When she is accused of stealing from her employer, she is forced to leave her job. But fate steps in and Pei finds herself working for a kindly English woman, Mrs. Finch who also allows Ji Shen to live with them. As the months pass and the Japanese become more and more of a presence, these three women become very important to one another and act towards each other as if they are family members. But once again life turns and when Mrs., Finch is sent to an internment camp for British citizens, Pei must not only find a way to care for herself and Ji Shen but to survive the Japanese takeover of Hong Kong. And when tragedy strikes, once again Pei must make a life for herself and all those she holds dear.The Language of Threads is a wonderful book although at times it is equally heart breaking. We first meet Pei at 28 and when the book finishes she is 62. Her story is well told and like the strands of silk she once handled comes together quite poignantly at the end. And we, as readers rejoice in her life filled with dark days overshadowed by triumph and ultimately joy. Like the characters from Tsukiyama's other books Pei is a well-crafted character who you will think of as a real person and won't soon forget.I really loved both Women of the Silk and The Language of Threads and cannot recommend them enough. Besides offering solid characterizations of the people, I learned about the lives of those young women sent by their families to work in the silk factori

To get the most from this book, Women of the Silk should be read first. I thought this story was as beautifully written, interesting, and captivating as Women of the Silk.The relationships between the women in this story are inspiring, and the historical information is very educational.Tsukiyama's simplistic, beautiful, writing style painted a portrait in my mind and brought to life the women living in China during that time.

I have read all Gail Tsukiyama's books and The Language of Threads is her best yet! She has a unique ability to tell a great story without the use of sensationalism. Tsukiyama weaves a tale that holds you close to the characters. The heart-break experienced in Pei's lifetime magnifies her inner courage and honor. These qualities carry her full circle. I would highly recommend all of Tsukiyama's books but be sure to read Women of the Silk before The Language of Threads. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I waited for her to release this book and now I can't wait for the next.

In this story Pei has to work hard and mind her companion who is younger and in need of emotional support. Both characters are very well developed and both have seen more horrors of war than its fair. Pei succeeds where many fail due to her courage, determination and plain acceptance of her fate. This is only the second book I have read from Tsukiyama but I definetely want to read more. I highly recommend it.