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The Many Daughters of Afong Moy  By  cover art

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

By: Jamie Ford
Narrated by: Jennifer Lim, Mirai, Cindy Kay, Natalie Naudus, Sura Siu, Emily Woo Zeller, Nancy Wu, Jamie Ford
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Publisher's summary

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.

©2022 Jamie Ford. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"With all of the ideas spinning around here, Ford never loses sight of the human lives and emotions at stake. It’s a bravura writing performance, aided by a stellar cast whose reading never fails to make Ford’s words count." (Alan Rosenberg)

What listeners say about The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

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A great book

Took me a while to get into it & sometimes it was all confusing.
But in the end it all came together quite satisfactorily.
Really liked it!

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9 people found this helpful

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Engrossing!

This book is so complex, multi-layered, well written and engrossing 😘. My book group just finished it.

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2 people found this helpful

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WOW! I laughed, I cried, I couldn’t stop listening!

This is the first book from this author that I’ve listened to but I loved it. I love all of Lisa See’s books so I somehow found this one. It feels similar to her books but different. It was well written. He did a great job of transitioning between stories. I was always wanting more of one story when the next would come on then I wanted more of that story too! At the end everything came together very nicely. 10/10 It was great!

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Better to physically read (IMO)

I think I did the book a disservice listening instead of physically reading. There are multiple POV’s which make it hard to follow at times. However, the stories made me question, what genetic footprint am I leaving and what have I inherited?

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10 people found this helpful

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beautiful story every woman should read/listen to

I was shocked to learn Jamie Ford was a man... in the best way. he wrote these characters to be so deep and didn't fall into the traps that authors like sally Rooney often do; he told and showed in the perfect proportion. both action and inner dialogue/feelings. LOVED the premise and interweaving of religions, sexualities, and history. would highly recommend

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Love from first chapter!

What a beautiful book! It takes you on an emotional journey with easy to connect to characters. Fantastic narrators with bright and captivating voices. Especially voice of Cindy Kay I found to be deeply interesting. Silken. Serene. Five stars.

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Terrific story which will keep you turning pages

I’ve read several Jamie Ford novels and this is my new favorite. I cared about all of the characters and they never quite leave during the course of the novel. I wish the book didn’t have to end but I know that the characters will be with me forever.

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He did it again

Jamie Ford has managed to top the magic he created in his first book, one I fell head over heels in love with. Many Daughters is hauntingly beautiful and yet leaves you with a heart full of hope and love. I suspect that as with his first novel, I will be gifting every single person I know and love with their own copy. Jamie, please keep up the good work, the world needs your voice!

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3 people found this helpful

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Beautifully Composed

Just loved it, it was impossible to put down and I was so enthralled with it by the end that I had to listen to the Acknowledgments. I was so pleased with all the little true stories that worked themselves into this storyscape. I will be seeking out Jamie Ford’s other work!!

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A Book you will be thinking about long after you’ve finished reading it.

This book was so well done. I’m still thinking about it. Look forward to his NEXT book!

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