Book Review: And This Is How I Lived

Carolyn Wing Greenlee has compiled an intriguing collection of stories in And This Is How I Lived: Stories from overlanders, immigrants, settlers, and pioneers who made new lives in difficult places.

Among the stories runs a thread of what it took to make America great. Although injustices abounded, especially among hard-working Chinese, their dedication shone through. I especially loved the stories about the author’s family and her Chinese heritage.

Many of these previously printed stories are precious glimpses of history, particularly of early California. I loved Greenlee’s quote: “What seems insignificant today becomes treasured memories later.” The author has captured the spirit of dedication to family and what it means to be a part of a shared humanity.

One of the lessons I came away with in reading this collection is how tasks at the time may seem minor, but upon reflection we realize the difference we have made in a productive future.

And This Is How I Lived is a treasure to be remembered.

 

Book Review: A Place for Mei Lin

Harlan Hague has written an intriguing historical fiction, A Place for Mei Lin, set in America’s Northwest in the early 20th century.

At one time Caleb Willis was blissfully happy with his wife and two children, but when his family all tragically died, he was without purpose, not caring what happened to him. He drifts from Virginia and settles in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains area and sets up a gold dredging operation near Stanley. On a trip to town, he encounters a young Chinese woman, Mei Lin, who had been sold and pressed into service in a brothel. He witnesses abuse to the woman and comes to her rescue.

Not knowing what else to do, he takes her to his cabin. Their relationship grows, but all the while Caleb, still mourning his family, resists acknowledging his feelings toward his young house guest. Mei Lin, on the other hand, feels a gratitude that turns into love toward Caleb. She’s a strong, capable woman who strives to prove her worth.

A Place for Mei Lin is an interesting book on many levels. I have spent quite a bit of time in the Stanley, Idaho area and have seen the old gold-mining dredges and technology described in the book. The author vividly describes the rugged Sawtooth area, giving the novel a strong sense of place. The tragic plight of Chinese during this time is a reminder of our country’s bigotry toward a race of people once their services are no longer needed. And lastly, the novel is a tender love story that at first is one-sided, but soon develops, only to be threatened by forces beyond their control.

This is a novel worth your time, written by a skilled story-teller. A Place for Mei Lin is available in print, ebook and audio formats. To learn more about Harlan Hague, visit http://harlanhague.us/