The Phoenix Crown is historical fiction cowritten by bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Janie Chang. It's set primarily in 1906 San Francisco just before and after the devastating earthquake.
Each author penned a main character; Ms. Quinn crafted Gemma, a young blonde opera singer struggling to launch her career beyond the chorus, and Ms. Chang created Suling, a Chinese teen who's skilled at embroidery and determined to escape cultural norms for her age and gender.
They meet due to their mutual associations with Henry Thorton, a businessman passionate about collecting Chinese antiques and beautiful women. The earthquake shattered San Francisco as well as many lives. The last portion of the novel follows several characters five years after as they rebuild their lives.
I read The Phoenix Crown for a book club retreat, and I really enjoyed our conversation about it. However, I probably wouldn't have read it on my own. I appreciated learning about San Francisco pre- and post-earthquake and about Chinese antiques, especially the Phoenix Crown. I was interested to explore opera during this time period and learned it was Ms. Quinn's major in college. The friendships among a quite diverse group of women held my interest in this story that felt a bit longer than necessary.
Each author penned a main character; Ms. Quinn crafted Gemma, a young blonde opera singer struggling to launch her career beyond the chorus, and Ms. Chang created Suling, a Chinese teen who's skilled at embroidery and determined to escape cultural norms for her age and gender.
They meet due to their mutual associations with Henry Thorton, a businessman passionate about collecting Chinese antiques and beautiful women. The earthquake shattered San Francisco as well as many lives. The last portion of the novel follows several characters five years after as they rebuild their lives.
I read The Phoenix Crown for a book club retreat, and I really enjoyed our conversation about it. However, I probably wouldn't have read it on my own. I appreciated learning about San Francisco pre- and post-earthquake and about Chinese antiques, especially the Phoenix Crown. I was interested to explore opera during this time period and learned it was Ms. Quinn's major in college. The friendships among a quite diverse group of women held my interest in this story that felt a bit longer than necessary.
