Four Sisters of Hofei

Publisher and industry reviews

Jacket review

'Anyone who enjoyed WILD SWANS by Jung Chang should grab a copy of this ... the prolific correspondence spanning a century of change, provides an intimate glimpse of private lives, as well as a chronicle of Chinese culture' Hello! 'Through these seven lives, Chin paints a history of early-20th-century China that leaves one hungry to know more ... The miracle is that all four sisters were still alive to give Chin their subtly differing versions of events' Daily Telegraph

UK Kirkus review

This is the remarkable story of the lives of four sisters living in China during the last century. Born between 1908 and 1914, they lived through a period of historic change. Annping Chin has created a living history through extensive interviews with the sisters and by gathering their letters, diaries, poetry and journals, and the result is a fascinating chronicle of an idiosyncratic culture and a story of compulsive human interest. The women were born into a world ruled by a rigorous adherence to traditions, with strict protocols for everything. The book is peppered with charming examples, such as the art of gift-giving, whereby an elderly relative would be insulted not to receive steamed buns shaped like 'peaches of immortality' and a bowl of 'longevity noodles'. Considering the era in which they grew up, the sisters benefited from a relatively `modern' education compared to that of their contemporaries. Their father was an avid reader and had a progressive attitude to his daughters' tuition, wanting them to experience a broad and enlightened education. In addition, he showed a great interest in all his children, enjoying their company and sharing poetry and stories. Their mother was a strong and sensible woman who created a harmonious home for them. This loving environment helped to imbue the sisters with a degree of confidence and self-assurance that made them unusual for their time. Each child was also influenced by her own 'nurse-nannie' - and thus experienced a different style of rearing within the family unit. Ultimately the sisters developed very different personalities and chose alternative paths. The eldest broke with tradition to marry an actor, another married a highly respected author but chose an unconventional lifestyle; while the youngest sister lived an independent and scholarly life before settling down with a foreigner and moving to America. The book effectively conveys the culture of China during the last century, with its aura of mystery, poetry and elegance. But above all, this is the story of the lives of four unique sisters and their personal triumphs and tragedies, played out against the backdrop of a turbulent and rapidly changing world. (Kirkus UK)