Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Thousand Pieces of Gold(Asian Voices)

Thousand Pieces of Gold(Asian Voices)
reviewed on + 54 more book reviews


This is a fabulous story of a little Chinese girl who was sold for seeds to save her starving family in 1865. It follows her through her life as she is sold into slavery as a "hurdy gurdy" girl at a saloon in America. She struggles with her life and sifts the gold dust from the saloon floor to buy her freedom.
This book is an extremely interesting story that in almost impossible to put down. It is based on the life of Lalu Nathoy who became Polly Bennis when she came to America. It tells of the strength of a little girl who found happiness by stubbornly refusing to quit. This is one book you won't easily forget.
I am well aware of slavery in the South, but sadly did not know of the slavery of the Chinese people during the gold rush of our country. I will be looking for more books that tell of this.