When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin
It’s no secret that MANY millennials view historical fiction as their favorite genre, and I can confirm this theory. The older I get, the more I want to expand my horizons from World War II-occupied Europe stories (though those are still fabulous, don’t get me wrong) to new periods, different types of stories, and other parts of the world.
While still focused on WWII, When Sleeping Women Wake by Emma Pei Yin is a beautiful story focusing on three women in occupied Hong Kong starting in 1941. The story “breathes new life into historical moments that might have otherwise faded away,” resulting in a stunning, emotional and important story that will ensure that this part of history is remembered.
Resistance, Family and Survival
The book follows three women: Tang Mingzhu, the matriarch and first wife of the Tang family, her daughter Qiang and her long-time confidant and servant, Biyu. They all escaped Shanghai during the Japanese invasion in 1941 and relocated to Hong Kong.
Mingzhu’s husband does not believe the Japanese will ever invade Hong Kong, but she is wary. When they inevitably do, all three women are set on different journeys, hoping that they will be reunited and stay safe.
Qiang doesn’t want to be asleep anymore and joins the resistance. Biyu is working in a factory and taking care of a dear friend’s ailing father. And Mingzhu finds herself working as a translator for the Japanese army. Each of the women is simply trying to survive but learn so much about themselves, including their resiliency and strength, in the process.
Vivid Portrayal of Rich Culture
What I simply loved about this book is the fact that it unlocked a whole new world. Now I don’t mean to be cliche about this, but there aren’t many stories about this part of the war, and learning about life before and during occupation, and how it was the guerrilla resistance armies that fought off the Japanese was wondrous.
I feel like this is a part of the war that isn’t popularly taught or written about, and I found it just so interesting. The mix of culture between the British (remember Hong Kong was a British territory then) and a variety of asian cultures (Japanese, Singaporean, Chinese, etc.) showcases what a beautiful and diverse tapestry that part of the world was at the time, and I’m sure still is today.
I devoured the author’s notes about historical accuracy, and it painted such a lovely picture. I feel I’ve just scratched the surface of the period, but have learned so much from this book.
A Portrait of Womanhood
Another tragically beautiful element was learning more about the way women were taught to behave, how they had to live their lives bound by duty and honor. Women during this period were regarded in so many different ways, but holistically, the war showed that women are more than just housewives, changing the global dynamic forever in so many ways.
Mingzhu specifically had an arranged marriage to a man who had little to no respect for her and women in general, which was not uncommon. He ignored and detested his daughter Quaing and brought in a concubine who gave him a son, increasing her value and position in the household to second wife.
Mingzhu tried to raise her daughter with strength, much of which she learned from Biyu. She fought to educate her daughter and give her a life that was not based on her “value”. She learned much of this from Biyu, her long-time servant, but sister of the heart.
Only 10 years apart, the two had been together since Mingzhu’s birth, and Biyu also sacrificed her freedom to stay by her side once her obligations were fulfilled. Each of these women realized more about themselves as the story continued, and remained true to each other because of the love they had created in this little family.
History Brought to Life in Masterful Debut
Overall, I think the title tells it all, for this book is really a story of resiliency, feminine power, and love. It shows that no matter your age, position or journey in life, you are never too old to step into your own. This story shows three women waking up to what life holds, the good, the bad and the ugly, and embracing it all to do what’s right.
I could go on and on, but I need to leave you with some final thoughts. When Sleeping Women Wake is a masterpiece from a debut author who clearly put the time and dedication into telling this story right. You can feel the effort and the connection she has to this story and this world on every page.
I can only hope this is the first of many books from Emma Pei Yin, as I can see her quickly climbing to the top of historical fiction lovers’ charts. This beautiful book is not one you want to sleep on … wake up and read it!
About Emma Pei Yin:
Emma is a British-born Hong Kong-Chinese writer and editor. She is the author of When Sleeping Women Wake and contributes to Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press and Books + Publishing.
In 2023, Book People and Penguin Random House Australia nominated her as Bookseller of the Year. That same year, her manuscript, Chasing Echoes in the Rain, was shortlisted for the Allen & Unwin Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme.
Emma is the founder of yinfluence editorial, an agency specialising in fiction editing and proofreading for writers.
About Emma Pei Yin:
Emma is a British-born Hong Kong-Chinese writer and editor. She is the author of When Sleeping Women Wake and contributes to Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press and Books + Publishing.
In 2023, Book People and Penguin Random House Australia nominated her as Bookseller of the Year. That same year, her manuscript, Chasing Echoes in the Rain, was shortlisted for the Allen & Unwin Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme.
Emma is the founder of yinfluence editorial, an agency specialising in fiction editing and proofreading for writers.
