This is the story of Chinese Americans during the 20's and 30's. I really felt for Willow, who lost her family, and was in the clutches of her stepfather. Her story intertwined with the story of her son William; when he is 12, Willow tells him about her past. I really liked this, I just had a hard time believing that William was having romantic love feelings for a girl his age when he is only 12 years old and (view spoiler)[that this 12-year-old blind girl hung herself--that she knew how to do it and was able to execute it. (hide spoiler)]. But he was written as a very mature, serious boy-- a young man really. I can accept that his circumstances made him grow up fast.