The Porcelain Moon

A Novel of France, the Great War, and Forbidden Love

By: Janie Chang

Narrated by: Katharine Chin, Saskia Maarleveld, James Chen

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

From the critically acclaimed author of The Library of Legends comes a vividly rendered novel set in WWI France about two young women—one Chinese, one French—whose lives intersect with unexpected, potentially dangerous consequences.

“East meets West in World War I France. In The Porcelain Moon, Janie Chang exhibits her signature trademarks—lyrical prose, deftly drawn characters, and skillful excavation of little-known history—to give us a rare jewel in a sea of wartime fiction!”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

France, 1918. In the final days of the First World War, a young Chinese woman, Pauline Deng, runs away from her uncle’s home in Paris to evade a marriage being arranged for her in Shanghai. To prevent the union, she needs the help of her cousin Theo, who is working as a translator for the Chinese Labour Corps in the French countryside. In the town of Noyelles-sur-Mer, Camille Roussel is planning her escape from an abusive marriage, and to end a love affair that can no longer continue. When Camille offers Pauline a room for her stay, the two women become friends. But it’s not long before Pauline uncovers a perilous secret that Camille has been hiding from her. As their dangerous situation escalates, the two women are forced to make a terrible decision that will bind them together for the rest of their lives.

Set against the little-known history of the 140,000 Chinese workers brought to Europe as non-combatant labor during WWI, The Porcelain Moon is a tale of forbidden love, identity and belonging, and what we are willing to risk for freedom.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Janie Chang (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Very enthralling story

I loved it. Have always been a big fan of historical fiction that is based on actual events. Learned much about the forgotten (dismissed) involvement of the Chinese during WWI while wrapped in a story of characters that you care about. I will be reading more stories from this author.

The characters wonderful

The readers were excellent and the characters were so real. Thd author did a wonderful job of describing the settings.

A true gem! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the best things about historical fiction is that it humanizes as much as it highlights suppressed historical events, and this book delivered that in spades!!

I had absolutely no idea about the role of the Chinese and citizens of other colonial nations in WWI. This was truly eye opening, and something I look forward to learning more about.

The writing was beautiful too. I’ll be reading more of Janie Chang’s books. What a gem! 💕

A Niche Story of WWI

This was a fascinating read for me because of the little-known Chinese workers working for both England and France during the First World War—their contributions and their subsequent treatment post-war. But the surrounding story was nicely shaped and the characters were well-developed. A highly recommended read for me in historical fiction.

Amazing fact from the WW1

Thank you so much for pointing out this remarkable fact. It is sad that it is so forgotten by historians. It is a great easy read. Although the WW1 was so horrible the author puts together a great plot to point out family roots, traditions, injustice, and much more. Great job!

Fell apart

The story had some promise. Then I was too far into it when I saw that it just didn't work. "Forbidden love" in the subtitle should have been a red flag. Then the narration: one very good narrator, one just ok & the one for Theo unbearable.