The Many Daughters of Afong Moy: A Novel

Written by Jamie Ford

Narrated by Jamie Ford, Jennifer Lim, Cindy Kay and 5 more

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick

The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet returns with a powerful exploration of the love that binds a family across the generations in “one of the most beautiful books of motherhood and what we pass on to those that come after us” (Jenna Bush Hager, Today).

Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living.

As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help.

Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America.

As the painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period—a stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories. Can Dorothy break the cycle of pain and abandonment to finally find peace for her daughter and love for herself? Or will she end up paying the ultimate price?

“For Jamie Ford fans both old and new, The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is an unmitigated pleasure” (Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author) and a lyrical love story unlike any other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797136790

Jamie Ford

Jamie Ford is the great-grandson of Nevada mining pioneer Min Chung, who emigrated from Hoiping, China, to San Francisco in 1865, where he adopted the western name Ford, thus confusing countless generations. His debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list and went on to win the 2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. His work has been translated into thirty-five languages. Having grown up in Seattle, he now lives in Montana with his wife and a one-eyed pug.

Reviews for The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

[Marlena Rustici · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wanted to like this book. Loved the concept. But it just droned on and on. Finished it but was a struggle.

[Dayna Bennett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A sweeping tale with an intriguing concept of inter generational trauma deftly handled by Ford. If you can get past Faye’s narration, which is oddly breathy and suspenseful and a little hard to take, the book is otherwise well-narrated. (And Faye’s parts are small with a story line that makes it tolerable). I appreciated the author’s notes. Recommend!

[sharon lewis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is one of my favorite of 2022! The multi generational angst carried through of Amoy women is now being backed up by research. The author portrayed it so wonderfully in each woman’s life as we were dropped into their lives during stressful times.
It will make you ponder your own such heritage for real!! I highly recommend. I listened to audio version.

[Ardette Spear · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The audiobook is wonderful. I read the ARC from NetGalley and I knew I had to listen to this book.

[Jeanne Acuña · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating story! Highly recommend you dip your toes in this one and learn a bit about epigenetics.

[Jas Badyal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book from forward to ending. It's cheesy and frankly that hopeless romantic heart in me was so so happy with it. The premise is if we know intergenerational trauma exists, what about intergenerational love, empathy, and other traits? The various stories of daughters stem from the generations descendants from Afong Moy who was a real person (the descendants are fictional). She was the first Chinese woman documented in America. She was taken around like a zoo/circus display to show Americans what a "Chinese" woman looks like with bound feet.

The audiobook is multi-cast and a great listen.

[Roberta Perry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As usual, Jamie spins a tale that is both interesting, intriguing, and beautiful.

[Tessa Wesnitzer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a brilliant concept and it was beautifully written. 5 stars

[memechel · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Confusing and too long. I was anticipating a clearer storyline.

[Becki Basley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The many daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
(An audiobook read on Scribd)

An interesting book about intergenerational trauma and how it can compound over time. In this story which does time jump. Dorothy Moy has struggled with mental illness and flashbacks to the pain of her ancestors all her life.

When her Young daughter starts also showing signs of struggling, Dorothy signs up for an Experimental Medical trial that Will take her back to her intergenerational trauma and help heal it so it Wont be passed on to her daughter.

A fascinating premise definitely but i found the time jumped at times confusing though the author actually wraps things up Well at the end,



Would i buy it? Maybe

[Deepa Budhoo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I almost gave up. What tragedy. I felt so sad reading this, especially had a hard time with the different forms of abuse. So be careful if that triggers you. I absolutely loved the ending. I often dream of that ability. I also often wonder about my ancestors, especially the women, since my family has been moved from India to South America. I’m the 1st gen born in Europe.