The Palest Ink (Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters)

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Palest Ink,' A Historical Fiction by Kay Bratt.

Times of turmoil often breed courage and valor. In The Palest Ink by Kay Bratt, we are trust into a story of a Cultural Revolution supported by Chairman Mao. As his Red Guard begins a deadly assault on their people leaving many innocent victims in their wake, there are those who believe they can create their own mark on history through the opportunity of rebellion.

Benfu is a young man, worried more about his career as a violinist and an arranged marriage that he wants no part of, then the possibility of revolution. His family are intellectuals and teach in Shanghai. They know of the histories and the possibilities of the coming surge and how they must now begin to hide valuables and change in order to stay under the radar of those hunting for possible rebellion. They also understand how often the innocent can be targeted, and history supports the dangers inherent in the coming wave of assault.

Pony Boy, a member of the lower class, is Benfu’s best friend. Their futures are very different and they look at life in different ways. Together in the struggle of Political turmoil, they must both make decisions that can affect both themselves and their family. Thrown together in the chaos of revolution, they begin their own mission and rebellion against the red tide of Mao’s Red Guard.

Can they find a way to make their mark on history? Life moves quickly for both, and the tide turns ever sharply for their own families. Will they continue on their quest, or is all lost for themselves and their families.

Bratt has given us characters that begin in loving homes, Benfu, ready for university, and in the tradition of the country soon to be affianced. His best friend has a harder life and yet in both cases their innocence shines through. As the darkening of revolution begins it changes them and they both have to find a way to grow and live in the chaos created in the wave of danger and deaths. Bratt has given us a time of turmoil and has allowed us to watch the growth of these two youths into entirely different people then where they started.

The Revolution itself is well documented and the historical significance of Chairman Mao’s Red Guard leave fear in its wake. The danger and fear that come through the writing create discomfort and unrest, much as it must have been during the times. The addition of the danger is palpable, and adds to the chaotic feelings left after the reading of this work.

If you enjoy history, revolution, courage, romance and family, then this will make a great work for your library. Kay Bratt has given us a work of intensity.

This would be a great work for a reading group with an amazing array of information for discussion.

The book read like a long walk through a bland suburb. Nothing wrong with that. I just wished it had been a more scenic route.

I loved this book. I read all four of The Scavenger's Daughters series and couldn't put them down. Had just been to China on a trip so it was especially interesting to me to learn about the culture. Wish I had read the books before I went. The Palest Ink is not really part of the series. It's the story of the "scavenger", before the daughters. There is so much history in this book, the Chinese went through some extremely difficult times. This may have been my favorite of the six books I've read by Kay Bratt, but then that's like trying to pick a favorite child. Kay is a wonderful writer. She does her research so you learn so much about the customs, life under Mao and how the people dealt with it. And most of the world had no clue what was going on behind those closed country walls. I highly recommend any of her books but start with this one.

For full disclosure, I was provided a free copy of this book in advance of it's release by the Author.
I took it with me on my business trip to China these last two weeks- and it was a perfect travel book.
I am an avid reader of Chinese fiction and nonfiction, particularly historical novels. I have read a few of Kay's other books and I was not disappointed! It was incredibly exciting, and my knowledge of Chinese history paired with the story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout most of the book! I would have been on the edge of my seat anyway, but this knowledge just added to it. I couldn't put the book down, and kept staying up quite too late evenings just to see what happened next.
The characters are well developed, the story draws you in from the first chapter to the last page, and it's clear that Kay has done her homework to ensure that the book is historically accurate.
Thank you thank you! I look forward to more books to come from this author!

This is one of those books that you become so involved with the characters that you don't want it to end. This is such a sad and dark part of China's history and after falling in love with the main characters I feel like I have a better understanding of what it was like to live during the Cultural Revolution.

It still shocks me sometimes to realize that I was alive and living a happy, carefree childhood while the Benfu's and Pony Boy's of China were living anything but carefree and were hardly getting by. As I get older I realize just how wise that old saying is, about remembering history lest it repeats itself.

As historical fiction goes, I thought this book was spot on. The only thing I wish is that the author had spent a little bit more time in the back of the book to outline exactly what events she drew from history. I don't want to create a spoiler so I won't say more, but the history geek in me would almost like to see notes from each chapter that would lead me to the specific events that shaped this story.

This is definitely a story that needs to be told and remembered.

** I was given an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I shouldn't have read the other reviews, because I can only echo their thoughts - this is an amazing book. This is the prequel to the Scavengers Daughters. We've already fallen in love with the main character Benfu from the other books in the series, The Scavengers Daughters. But here we meet Benfu earlier as he struggles in the days of the Cultural Revolution. We find out how he meets Calli his wife and what shapes him to be the man, wonderful husband and father that he becomes. You'll also love the new characters in this book. You can either read this book first or after or among the Scavengers Daughters. It is a great series, but each book can stand by itself as a full and wonderful story.

Can't wait to read whatever you're writing next Kay! I was fortunate to receive an advance e-reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

A moving fictional drama about two young men caught up in the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. Benfu an aspiring violinist is sent to a commune to do grueling work as a peasant. Pony Boy, his friend, cleans the very dirty public toilet in Shanghai to support his parents. Pony Boy is eventually shot as a traitor for collaboration on subversive newsletters. Benfu escapes from the commune and returns home but is turned off by the indifference of his parents. He returns to Wuxi and Calla Lily, who initially gave him shelter after his escape, in a very touching final scene. Both young men as they mature were helped by their relationships with their girlfriends that the author deftly explores. The harsh realities of the Red Guard era are clearly delineated.

This is an honest review in return for an electronic copy.

good

This book was extraordinary! I am not usually drawn to a book such as this portraying so much suffering. However, I did not want to put it down once I started! Very well written! I will definitely continue to read the entire series!

Highest praise for this book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s can’t wait to start reading the next book!