EDITOR’S CHOICE
A beautifully crafted, emotional journey of resilience and sacrifice, immersing readers in revolutionary China through vivid characters and rich storytelling.
Mother of Red Mountains is a sweeping and poignant historical novel that captures the resilience of a woman navigating the tumultuous landscape of revolutionary China. Framed against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution and mid-20th century societal challenges, the story follows Jun, a gifted civil engineer whose life is marked by ambition, sacrifice, and indomitable courage.
Apple An’s writing is evocative, blending vivid depictions of China’s landscapes and culture with the personal and political struggles of its characters. Jun’s transformation from a child fostering hopes in her father’s shop to a high-achieving career woman is equal parts inspiring and heartbreaking. Yet, the intrusion of the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution thrusts her into a protective maternal role, forcing her to prioritise her daughters’ survival above her aspirations.
An excels in weaving rich historical detail with a narrative that is deeply personal, offering readers both a glimpse into the socio-political upheaval of revolutionary China and an emotionally resonant tale of motherhood, identity, and resilience. The novel’s insights into human tenacity make it universally relatable.
Gripping and beautifully crafted, Mother of Red Mountains is a triumph that honours untold women’s stories—an unforgettable saga worthy of its accolades.
