Flowing Water, Falling Flowers
As her life begins to fall apart, Rose Ming decides to accept her mom’s invitation to return to China and visit relatives. During the flight, Rose experiences a strange dream encouraging her to find a forgotten ancestor. Upon waking, Rose learns the women in her family have all experienced this same dream. Who is this ancestor, and why was she erased from their family history?
Switching between the present and early 1900s China, this far-reaching drama slowly unravels through the eyes of the women in their family. Social constraints lead to difficult choices and devastating secrets that will change everything her family understands about their past.
While well-researched, the emotional impact is light, with everything being told to the reader, including what and how they should feel at each moment. Some deeply poignant moments don’t quite land. The prose needs a bit more finesse. For example, Collins writes, “Lake Michigan shimmered in the afternoon light, and my thoughts flew like its water as I jogged.” This doesn’t quite paint the narrative picture the author probably intends, as water doesn’t “fly” per se. Letting moments and even the analogies flourish a bit more would help enliven the narrative. However, Collins does bring to life sights, smells, and enticing food delicacies, both past and present. I found myself absorbed in the stories, particularly the women’s struggles during the Qing dynasty, and the setting is beautiful to behold.
