Bury What We Cannot Take

A Novel

By: Kirstin Chen

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The day nine-year-old San San and her twelve-year-old brother, Ah Liam, discover their grandmother taking a hammer to a framed portrait of Chairman Mao is the day that forever changes their lives. To prove his loyalty to the Party, Ah Liam reports his grandmother to the authorities. But his belief in doing the right thing sets in motion a terrible chain of events.

Now they must flee their home on Drum Wave Islet, which sits just a few hundred meters across the channel from mainland China. But when their mother goes to procure visas for safe passage to Hong Kong, the government will only issue them on the condition that she leave behind one of her children as proof of the family’s intention to return.

Against the backdrop of early Maoist China, this captivating and emotional tale follows a brother, a sister, a father, and a mother as they grapple with their agonizing decision, its far-reaching consequences, and their hope for redemption.

©2018 Kirstin Chen (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

I have no doubt

that this story is more truth than fiction. I've lived around first-generation Chinese my entire life, and as outrageous as this story may seem to Westerners, I have heard too many elements of this story to believe otherwise. I highly recommend this book.

3star narrator

forgot I don't like this narrator, wasted Audlble credit. I'll read the book, though.

Half & Half

First of all, I wasn’t crazy about the narrator. Her voice was just too slow and withdrawn for me. Secondly it was an interesting book, but not very believable for. I would say more but I don’t want to give away the storyline. With that said it was worth the listen and it kept my attention but, spoiler alert the ending kind of sucks.

Wow!

Transported in time. The struggle of the each character kept me glued to this story. Up and down my emotions went. Just when I felt the despair too much, we are offered a glimmer of hope.

Dead ending

I liked the story ok. I don't know why the book was named this, it appears to have no reference in the story. The ending of the story was SO lame. It just left you hanging. I would not recommend this book.

Rushed ending

I enjoyed the story. The author wove several story lines simultaneously, but the ending was far too rushed—the story lines ended in a tangled knot. It was enjoyable, but technically disappointing.

Didn't want this one to end!

Loved the characters so much that I wanted to know what else would happen in their lives. Fantastic novel for those interested in Chinese history too. Even if you're not, I feel certain you'll be engrossed till the end.

A survival story

A little girl from a dysfunctional, traditional family that learns the hard way the reality of life and how to survive.

A good book to listen to and to cheer for a 9 year hero.

Holds your interest

Well written. The narrator did a fine job reflecting the emotion of this simple story.

Fantastic!

I love this narrator and I first heard them reading The Poppy War. After that I looked at what other books they narrate and found this one. This story was so compelling and emotionally gripping. I truly felt as if I was in the story in the place of the characters.