The Girls of Good Fortune

Poetic And Compelling. Usually, if a book uses a lot of flowery language and descriptions, it tends to bog the book down quite heavily. Here, McMorris actually manages to flip that script and use such poetic prose to *lift* material that is otherwise quite heavy indeed.

The entire book is essentially about the perils faced by both Chinese immigrants and indeed poor people generally on the US West Coast at the nadir of the 19th century, and McMorris does a wonderful job of transporting the reader to that place and time throughout the book.

The dual timeline yet single character approach is rare and useful here in creating tension in the reader, and yes, the timelines do eventually converge.

Overall a rare look at an often glossed over or even outright ignored period of American history, and McMorris manages to pluck it out of relative obscurity and tell a powerful tale set in all of that era's realities - both good and bad.

Very much recommended.

Book Review: The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris 📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently finished The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris, and it was a compelling read that earned a solid four stars from me. The story is set in 1888 Portland, Oregon, where the infamous Shanghai Tunnels form a dark and dangerous backdrop. The protagonist, Celia, wakes up drugged and disguised in an underground cell, realizing she’s been “shanghaied” — kidnapped to be sold into forced labor. What makes her story even more gripping is her mixed heritage; being half-Chinese but passing as white during a time of harsh anti-Chinese sentiment adds layers of tension and complexity to her struggle for survival. 🕰️🚇👧

As Celia pieces together how she ended up in this dire situation—from her time working as a maid for a questionable mayor’s family to uncovering the truth behind a goldminer's massacre—the stakes grow higher, her determination to escape and protect those she loves drives the narrative forward with heart-pounding urgency. 🏃‍♀️💔🔍

Beyond the thrilling plot, this novel dives deep into themes of family, identity, and resilience. It beautifully highlights how stories from our past shape us and how strength can be found even in the darkest places. 👪🌿💪

I also have to mention the cover — it’s stunning and really caught my eye! The writing itself is thoughtful and evocative, pulling you into the era with vivid detail and emotion. For fans of historical fiction, this book offers a well-researched and moving experience filled with moments of heartbreak but also hope and compassion. I also loved the added recipes the author included at the end. 🎨📚🍲

Overall, The Girls of Good Fortune is an exceptional story that’s both captivating and insightful. It held me captivated from start to finish, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical dramas with rich characters and meaningful themes. 🌟❤️📖

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️