Having survived torture and imprisonment during China’s Cultural Revolution, Benfu escaped to find love with his compassionate and beautiful Calla Lily. Together they build a fulfilling life around the most menial of jobs—Benfu’s work collecting trash. As he sorts through the discards of others, he regularly discovers abandoned children. With unwavering determination, he and Calli spend decades … decades creating a family of hand-picked daughters that help heal the sorrow and brighten their modest home. But all is not perfect and when crisis threatens to separate their family, Benfu—or possibly his band of headstrong daughters—must find a way to overcome the biggest hardship yet.
Inspired by a true story, and set against the backdrop of a country in transition, The Scavenger’s Daughters is a sweeping present day saga of triumph in the face of hardship, and the unbreakable bonds of family against all odds.
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This was a heartbreakingly realistic look at the life of the poor in China. Benfu is a scavenger, each day gathering paper and plastic to sell so that he and his small family can live. He also looks for children who have been abandoned and has six daughters that he and his wife Calla are raising. Each daughter is special in her own way, but the title character seems to be Linnea, the one who falls in love with the son of a rich government official. Benfu has nothing but disdain for anyone associated with the government because of his past dealings with them. This book had me cheering, crying and cheering through tears. It was a wonderful and educational read! I found out a lot about how Mao changed China with his dictatorial policies and how Benfu and Calla managed to survive. An inanimate character in the book was a violin, something so important that it took a central role for the family. There was not one page of this book that I did not thoroughly enjoy and when it ended, I was so glad to download the next book in the series. I was captivated by the story of Benfu, Calla, the missing Dahlia and the talented Linnea. My favorite was Jasmine who communicated without speaking, much like our autistic granddaughter. There was so much to like about this story and nothing, not one thing, to dislike. The plot rolled out smoothly and the character development was masterful. Fans of fiction that tell a romantic and realistic tale will enjoy this book for sure!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I won a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This was such a wonderfully moving story of sacrifice and love. I had no idea about the Cultural Revolution and all that was being done in China in the 1960s, so this was an education. And then the abandonment of female children is so horrible, but Benfu and Calli took in so many and raised them as their own, even when some had disabilities and they were a family already living in poverty. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
Interesting read!
Major culture shock, but what an education! These characters draw you in and keep you cheering for them. Very good story.
This is a wonderful opening to the series. I love Benfu and Callie. They are such amazing human beings. As their story unfolds, it becomes clear just how awe-inspiring they are. Their influence on the people, of Wuxi is something wondrous. Even though they are great people they still: made mistakes, admit it and learned from it. The book left me wanting to be a better person.
A heartfelt, authentic look at a scavenger in post-Maoist China, and the love he and his wife extend to the host of abandoned girls who become their daughters. As an adoptive mother, this novel—inspired by a true story—struck me deep. Highly, wholeheartedly recommended.
This is my second Kay Bratt book. This is a great book giving insight to living conditions in China not so long ago and probably still continues today. This story makes me think that Karma is a reality.
This book as the others about adoption, family’s and love so much of China and the human’s who saved the children , made me cry and smile
I read Kay Bratt’s trilogy of The Scavenger’s Daughters, Bitter Winds, and Tangled Vines. All are set in China in a poor neighborhood. Not only is the story entertaining, but its characters and its glimpse into their culture pull you in. It may not be for everybody. It’s not the Great American Novel. But I enjoyed following the characters through their trials and tribulations. I read these books for pleasure, not for book club.
Although this book is a work of fiction it is authentic in relaying the conditions in China during this time in history. The characters were well developed and three dimensional. I enthusiastically recommend this heartwarming story of the resiliency of the human spirit and the importance of family.
Kay Bratt… nothing more need be said. Everything she writes is riveting!