Pearl of China by Anchee Min is a fictionalized biography of the renowned author Pearl S. Buck, highlighting her experiences as the daughter of Christian missionaries in China and her friendship with a Chinese girl named Willow Yee. Set in late 19th-century Chin-Kiang, the novel explores their bond, forged through shared dreams and the eccentricities of their fathers. However, the Boxer Revolution forces Pearl to flee, while Willow remains in China, navigating troubled marriages and societal expectations. The story unfolds through letters and reunions, revealing Pearl's journey to becoming a writer and Willow's struggles amidst the tumult of their era. Min's narrative captures the complexities of their lives and the quest for personal freedom against a backdrop of historical events.
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