Peter Ho Davies' The Fortunes has garnered praise for its compelling exploration of Chinese-American identity and history through four interconnected stories. Reviewers appreciate its lyrical prose and nuanced characters, but some critique the pacing and fragmented narrative structure. Overall, it's celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and rich historical context.

A reader who appreciates The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies would enjoy complex narratives exploring identity, culture, and history. Comparable to The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz, this novel appeals to those intrigued by multifaceted characters and the immigrant experience.

The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies is a historical novel composed of four interconnected stories that explore the experiences of Chinese immigrants and their descendants across different generations in the United States. The stories, “Celestial Railroad,” “Your Name in Chinese,” “Tell it Slant,” and “Disorientation,” examine themes of anti-Chinese racism, assimilation, and identity shaped by historical events in China and the US. Characters experience anti-Asian prejudice and violence.

Informative / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Contemplative

Peter Ho Davies

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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The Fortunes Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Gold: Celestial Railroad”

Part 1 The Fortunes Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Silver: Your Name in Chinese”

Part 2 The Fortunes Part 2 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Fortunes Character Analysis

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The Fortunes Symbols & Motifs

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The Fortunes

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