Intertwined Fates
The most interesting thing about Threads by Ami Polonsky to me was the way in which the story was formatted and how it connects to the themes in the book. Each chapter flips between the perspective of Clara, a twelve-year-old girl living in America, and Yuming, a girl around the same age living in China. Yuming has been kidnapped and forced to work in a sweatshop for several months when she writes a note, pleading for help, and sticks it in a purse on the assembly line. Clara finds the note one day at the mall and becomes dead set on saving Yuming. The story unfolds from two different perspectives: Yuming scrambling to escape from the factory and her kidnapper Mr. Zhang, and Clara scrambling to locate this strange factory and save her. As the story progresses and Clara and Yuming’s narratives start to become more and more intertwined, you come to really appreciate the way the book is structured.
The back and forth chapters are especially interesting when you add in the element of Clara’s sister, Lola, who recently passed away. From the moment Clara reads the letter she feels a connection between Yuming and Lola, a connection that only becomes more obvious as the book continues. Clara starts to see and hear Lola giving her advice, telling her not to give up on finding Yuming’s factory, and Yuming and Lola start to blend into the same person. At a certain point Clara has stopped looking for Yuming. She’s only hoping to find Lola.
The same goes for Yuming. She's grieving the loss of her grandparents and the disappearance of her brother, Bolin. While she's telling herself that she has to find a way back to her hometown to get as far away from Mr. Zhang as possible, it's only because deep down she believes she'll somehow find her brother. Just like Clara, she is looking for one thing but hopes to find another.
Threads deals with pretty heavy themes in a way I've never seen before, by portraying the same emotions of grief, loneliness, and betrayal in two different people who are in very different situations and experiencing these emotions for very different reasons. It is pretty much guaranteed to make you cry, and I strongly recommend it.
I’ve read this book a while ago, and I remember it being really good! I thought it was interesting how Clara was able to have this strong connection with someone who she has never met before and how right away she felt like she needed to help. And I agree with you, the structure of the novel is not only a way to read about what is going in each of the character’s lives, but it also helps to develop the story and the reader’s connection with the characters.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds good, but at the same time sad. The intertwined characters searching for one another, but also searching for their loved ones. While that sounds interesting, I find it sad that Clara stops directly looking for Yuming, as that should have been her main priority instead of Lola, who would be with her in spirit. I think I'll probably read Intertwined Fates.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of dual narratives was very intriguing in Legend, which was a book which I found very interesting. I'd love to see how the author used that concept in this book, since it also is used on 2 people of different backgrounds, whose stories eventually converge.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, setting is unique and interesting, so therefore, good book. Probably going to consider reading it.
I read this book a little while ago, and I really enjoyed it! It definitely had themes of loss and grief that almost made me cry. The intertwined stories were very interesting and was a writing style I hadn't read before. It's a great book, and I also recommend it!
ReplyDeleteWow, this book seems heartbreaking, but important. Intertwined stories make everything more interesting and realistic! The plot seems familiar, but I do not think I've read it before. After reading your review, I will definitely check it out!
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