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A review by reader_fictions
Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko
4.0
Back in 2013, I first read Choldenko, having randomly selected the audiobook for Al Capone Does My Shirts as being of possible interest. I was right, though the books were entirely different than I’d expected, coming at history from an angle I didn’t see coming.
Similarly, Chasing Secrets takes on the topic of plague as it’s breaking out, rather than once everyone is already dying. We see this happen through the lens of aspiring scientist, Lizzie. Her favorite thing is joining her dad on his calls to patients, and her least favorite is attending class at finishing school, because she has no interest in marriage and wants to really learn.
When their servant Jing gets stuck in Chinatown due to a quarantine for the plague, she wants to rescue him, especially once she meets the son she never knew he had, Noah. I really love the portrayals of both Jing and Noah, because they resist stereotypes and are super awesome. Yes always to history that focuses on women and people of color. History enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive notes at the end of Chasing Secrets as well.
Choldenko has major talent at writing quiet, intriguing, unique histories about people often ignored by history. Very much worth reading for more than just the beautiful cover.
Similarly, Chasing Secrets takes on the topic of plague as it’s breaking out, rather than once everyone is already dying. We see this happen through the lens of aspiring scientist, Lizzie. Her favorite thing is joining her dad on his calls to patients, and her least favorite is attending class at finishing school, because she has no interest in marriage and wants to really learn.
When their servant Jing gets stuck in Chinatown due to a quarantine for the plague, she wants to rescue him, especially once she meets the son she never knew he had, Noah. I really love the portrayals of both Jing and Noah, because they resist stereotypes and are super awesome. Yes always to history that focuses on women and people of color. History enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive notes at the end of Chasing Secrets as well.
Choldenko has major talent at writing quiet, intriguing, unique histories about people often ignored by history. Very much worth reading for more than just the beautiful cover.