Thousand Pieces of Gold

By: Ruthanne Lum McCunn

Narrated by: Emily Zeller

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Lalu Nathoy's father called his thirteen-year-old daughter his treasure, his "thousand pieces of gold," yet when famine strikes northern China in 1871, he is forced to sell her. Polly, as Lalu is later called, is sold to a brothel, sold again to a slave merchant bound for America, auctioned to a saloonkeeper, and offered as a prize in a poker game. This biographical novel is the extraordinary story of one woman's fight for independence and dignity in the American West.

©2004 Ruthann Lum McCunn (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Amazing story

This is an amazing story from start to finish. It tells of the inner strength that we all must find within, when adversity of any kind approaches us , or engulfs us, or surprises us in life . A must read.

Intriguing

I enjoyed the readers ability to express the main character's feelings. I liked the overall story. I did google the history and felt the story followed as accurately as possible. The story proves love can conquer All.

A fascinating story …

I very much enjoyed this listen.

This historical novel has all of the fascinating elements to draw a reader into another world and time. The author details a harrowing life story beginning at a backward rural Chinese village to an ending in an idyllic Idaho cabin. In between, we experience a life of a strong willed woman, Polly Bemis, who navigates an arduous and perilous journey through continents whilst enduring slavery, shame, violence and servitude.

The real life of Polly Bemis is less well known today and some facts are lost to prejudice and history. But it is easy to immerse oneself in this wonderfully story and experience her life in the old rugged west. Even though this is a novel, it still does justice to her life and legacy and I am glad I got to listen to it. Recommended!

Great book

I loved this book! It follows a young Chinese girl named Lalu. When she is forced to be sold by her father and is sent to America, she find herself in a new world. The book was lovely to listen to, the narrator had a beautiful voice. I could not stop listening to it.

unable to put it down, loved it..

really liked this book. gave me a better understanding of life at this time in history.

Not what I remembered from high school

I do not remember feeling as sad or upset about this book when I read it in high school. Rereading it after so many years was like reading it for the first time. I was frustrated and upset by so many of the hardships that Lalu went through and then, when she changed her name to Polly. I remember the romance between Charlie and Polly as being stronger, but I might be mixing it up with the film version. The ending was sad. I had to listen to something happy because Polly did not even get her final wish granted. I do not see why she was never moved to be with Charlie after all this time. There was a lot to this story, and I will read it again to see what other nuances I pick up from the third reading. It should be paired with historical books about this era to help understand the inequalities that Polly experienced.

A Women's Studies Classic

This historic novel, based on a true story, brings to life the often untold story of a woman’s Chinese immigrant experience.

During a famine, adored daughter, Lalu, is sold into slavery to save the family, re-sold and brought by a madame to America, sold again to gamblers, and then gains her freedom through a benefactor in a poker game.

Let me say this again: this was a true story!

There are many passages describing life in the new world and mining camps that show how brutal and hard life in China, then Idaho was. It would be easy to assume that Lalu, re-named “Polly” was as passive as those thousand pieces of gold she’s compared to, but she’s made of stronger stuff. She’s treated like a commodity, but retains a solid core and determination to find freedom and happiness, which eventually, she does.

From China to San Francisco to Idaho TRUE GRIT

Excellent historical fiction based on the life of a young Chinese woman sold into slavery by her own father. This story of Lalu Nathoy, later renamed Polly, who was sold to bandits, then sold to a madam, and sent to America is a true story. Poor decisions made by her father and broken promises never forgotten by Lalu, nevertheless did not break her spirit. And she continued to fight for her own freedom in a new and confusing land. She found love and security with Charlie Bemis at a time in American history that the Chinese people were not valued (late 1800s, early 1900s) or given the right to own property. And her gentle, healing care became known throughout the entire region as she was sought out by neighbors and townspeople when they were ill. I would love to visit central Idaho and the Salmon River where she and Charlie made their home. It's a National Historic Landmark now where Polly Bemis is honored as a pioneer among American women.

Interesting Biography

The storyline kept my interest all the way through. What was left unanswered for me was how Polly's story came to be known and who captured it? Had she kept a diary? Was it piece mealed from various sources based on oral histories?

I'd recommend this.

More like an outline for a novel, not a novel

What was most disappointing about Ruthanne Lum McCunn’s story?

This book felt like the broadest of strokes...a rough sketch. It did not do a good job of going into any depth, any detail at all. Things happen with little explanation. Whole years as a mining town saloon girl pass with no details at all. It seems like the story has so much potential if told well. I got about half way through and finally had to give up.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The narrator did a great job. She had a smooth voice with good inflection and she did her best to make a lackluster book come to life. She just didnt have much to work with.

Any additional comments?

Let me sum it up in this way: I purchased this book on sale for $5. I still feel like I was cheated.