Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn is widely praised for its compelling narrative and strong historical context. Readers appreciate the depth of character development and cultural insights, though some criticize the pacing. Overall, it's a powerful and thought-provoking story that resonates with those interested in diverse historical experiences.

A reader who enjoys Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn would appreciate historical novels with strong female protagonists, such as Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. They find rich, culturally immersive narratives and themes of resilience and identity compelling.

Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn is a biographical novel that follows Polly Bemis, a Chinese American pioneer in 19th-century Idaho, as she navigates a life marked by family betrayal, gender expectations, and the quest for personal agency, offering a critical exploration of the American Dream's deficiencies. The novel describes sexual enslavement, enslavement, sexual assault, death by suicide, anti-Asian racism, gun violence, and lynching.

Inspirational / Challenging / Emotional / Heartwarming / Contemplative

- Thousand Pieces of Gold is based on the true story of Lalu Nathoy, a Chinese woman who was sold into slavery and eventually became a prominent figure in Idaho during the 19th century.
- Ruthanne Lum McCunn extensively researched historical immigration documents and oral histories to accurately portray Lalu's life and the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the American West.
- The novel was adapted into a film in 1990, starring actress Rosalind Chao as Lalu, bringing wider recognition to both the book and the historical figure.

**Polly Bemis**  
Originally from Northern China, Polly is a strong-willed and hardworking woman who becomes an enslaved person in America. She is known for her independence and perseverance, eventually running a boarding house on her own.

**Charlie Bemis**  
Polly's husband and closest confidant, Charlie owns a saloon in Warrens and wins Polly's freedom through a card game. He supports Polly's independence and helps her establish a life in Salmon Canyon.

**Nathoy**  
Polly's father, a farmer in Northern China, whose failed harvest leads to him selling Polly. He is a complex figure in Polly's life, remembered both for his kindness and for the circumstances that led to her being sold.

**Chen**  
A former farm laborer for Polly's family, he becomes the head of a bandit group and buys Polly, eventually selling her to a brothel in Shanghai. He is driven by a desire for revenge and financial gain.

**Jim**  
Polly's first love in the United States, Jim is a packer who helps protect her in Warrens. He shares a familiar cultural connection with Polly and strives to buy her freedom before his untimely death.

**Hong King**  
The owner of the saloon in Warrens where Polly works, Hong King is Polly's Chinese enslaver. He is described as predatory and controls her to profit from her work, with his gambling habits leading to his eventual downfall.

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Part 1: “1865-1872”

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Part 2: “1872” - Part 3: “1875”

Parts 2-3

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Part 4: “1890-1894”

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Part 5: “1898-1922”

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Part 6: “1922-1923” - Part 7: “1933”

Part 6-Epilogue

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