Reviews

• 空を飛びたいという熱望

  ２０世紀初頭のサンフランシスコが舞台。Moon－Shadowは父親が働くサンフランシスコに広東から船でやってきます。父親と会うのはこれが初めてです。そこには彼の父親以外にも多くの中国人（彼らは自分たちをTangと呼んでいます）が差別にも負けず、働いています。広東ではGoleden Mountainと呼ばれていたアメリカには本物のGoleden Mountainはありませんでした。彼の父親には大きな夢がありました。それは空を飛ぶ事。ちょうどライト兄弟が初飛行に成功した頃です｡周りの人には無駄だと言われますが、夢に向けて頑張る親子。さて彼らの初飛行は… こんなに昔から、出稼ぎ中国人がいたということが驚きです。広東から船に乗って、家族に仕送りする為にアメリカへ。船賃が高いから、家族に会えるのは５年に１回。そんなにしてまで働かなくてはいけないのかと思うとなんだか切ないです。そして、ほんの100年前までは「空を飛ぶ」ということが夢みたいな事だったのも驚きでした。ライト兄弟の記事も信じられてはいなかったし、そんなことあきらめろという周囲の対応。今や、どこにでも飛行機でいけるのに。私自身も飛行機でここに来たのだし。彼らの真摯に生きる態度と夢にかける情熱にはうたれました。この話は実際にこのころ空を飛んだ中国系アメリカ人がいたという話をもとに作られたそうです。興味深い内容でした。

• This historical fiction is a heartwarming, entertaining, an informative story of a young boy who comes to America to live with the father he doesn't remember, during the early 1900's. The story gives a fascinating look at the Chinese culture both in the homeland of Middle China, and the culture of families, groups, gangs and religion in Chinatown. The setting begins in 1903 in China, and is told through the eyes of the eight year old Moon Shadow, as he relates scenes of his past and leads up to his arrival in San Francisco. He is taken into the brotherhood of his father in the laundry service. Moon Shadow is quickly exposed to the poverty and depravity of the shanty towns and the opium houses that affect his very brotherhood family. He learns the suspicion, ill-treatment, and injustice by other people due to an extreme prejudice against the Chinese peoples. As time progresses, Moon Shadow and his father, Windrider, move to a white neighborhood where they live in a barn of a white lady, who has boarders. They are soon befriended by the lady and her niece. Windrider is naturally talented with machines and mechanics, doing odd jobs for people in the community until the great earthquake and fire of 1906, when all survivors of the burned areas are moved to tent cities until the city can begin to rebuild. The Chinese are eventually separated from everyone and forced to move from camp to camp. Soon after Windrider and Moon Shadown start to help rebuild in Chinatown, they go off on their own to a windy hill in Oakland, where Moon Shadow helps his dad fulfill his dream of building and flying in a "flying machine." This book tells of an ongoing struggle with money, family, and nature, that is balanced with laughter, forgiveness, family and friends. This is a story you will long remember, with an honest look at the struggles of the Chinese integration into Western culture.

• Great book and great read! Delivery was fast and efficient

• I bought this because it was on the Velshi show as a banned book. It is a wonderful book. It is a pre-teen book. The world is seen through the eyes and experiences of a young Chinese immigrant boy. It teaches about traditions, Chinese history and culture, adjustment to a father long separated, respect and fantasy (dragon wings), morality, good and evil. It is a delightful book. Why would anyone ban a book this well written and all around good?

• I love studying this book with my 5th grade students. The story deals with the Chinese immigrants who came to America in the early 1900,s and settled in San Francisco, and then faced many challenges. It leads to great discussions about different cultures and assimilation. The characters are so interesting as the Chinese and the ”white demons” interact. Many conflicts result, but many also grow in understanding and acceptance. The author’s use of humor appeals to the students too.

• Good book. It’s for more mature audiences but would recommend.

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