Books like The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

The Bonesetter’s Daughter follows LuLing Young, an elderly Chinese woman in San Francisco who compiles memories of her life in a remote mountain village before the national war. As she documents songs, stories, and the legend of a mute nursemaid, her daughter Ruth, a self‑help ghostwriter, confronts her own silenced voice and the strained bond with her mother. Ruth moves in to care for LuLing and finds a Chinese manuscript filled with family lore, including tales of dragon‑bone mining and a fated cave where Peking Man was discovered. The narrative unfolds across generations, revealing how a mother’s past, her ancestors’ myths, and an unresolved curse impact the present. Set in contemporary San Francisco and pre‑war China, the novel examines mother‑daughter dynamics, immigrant identity, and the enduring influence of personal history, offering a blend of warmth, humor, and poignant reflection on heritage and belonging.

First publish date: March 2, 2002