Thousand Pieces of Gold: A Biographical Novel

by Ruthanne Lum McCunn

Book Overview

Lalu Nathoy's father calls his thirteen-year-old daughter his treasure, his "thousand pieces of gold," yet when famine strikes northern China in 1871, he is forced to sell her. Polly, as Lalu is later... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807083178
• ISBN13: 9780807083178
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Beacon Press (MA)
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellant!!!

Many years ago I worked at Shepp Ranch and had heard the story of Polly Bemis. If I had started this book in the morning I would have finished it in one day. A Thousand Pieces of Gold fueled my imagination and wound it with my cherished memories of most of the places mentioned in the book. Even without my memories of the Salmon River Canyon, I would have loved this book and highly recommend it!!!

A true story of personal courage

This book is categorized as a novel but is the story of Polly Beamis, a real person. She was born in China, lived in a poor farming village until seized by a robber band, transported to the US, sold into slavery and lived out her life in a remote mining town in central Idaho.She endured hardships, heartache and isolation but still retained the ability to love and help those who were less fortunate or who were kind to her. I marveled at her resilient, strong spirit and the happiness she was able to find in a foreign culture to which she was forcibly taken.For me this was a compelling and fast-read book which I expect to read again and again. I have shared it with several friends, both male and female who also enjoyed it.

A Heartwarming Story That Just Can't Be Put Down!

WHAT A STORY! Ruthane Lum McCunn's, THOSAND PIECES OF GOLD, is a heartwarming story that once read, can't be put down again. This novel draws the reader into the life of a woman's struggle to fight for respect and freedom for her own life. It begins in China as she (Lalu) was traded to bandits for two bags of seeds at the age of thirteen during the early 1870's. This event carries her through many times of hardships where she doesn't know where she is or where she is going. The basis through most of her life is to please men and fulfill their dreams. It is not until the midpoint of her story that her dream of becoming free becomes reality. This story is full of exciting events that put the readers into the world of the characters. The most significant event that made me want to keep reading was when Lalu (later known as Polly Bemis) was traded to some bandits at the age of thirteen. This event occurs at the beginning of the story and makes it a joy to read.One can only imagine all the pain , sadness, and suffering Lalu went through as a child (and as a women). At first, she was terrified for what had happened to her. She thought she was her fathers "quijin"- his "thousand pieces of gold". She then realized that she was traded for her family to survive. This book is purely amazing, from the beginning, to the end. This is an outstanding book for those that like drama and suspense. It is also recommended for those that can't seem to put great books down. It's like the Pringles commercial saying, " Once you pop, you can't stop." I really enjoyed this book, not only for its simplicity to understand, but also the way Ruthanne Lum McCunn put the story down on paper.

tortured young

"Thirteen,naked,fondled,and used for auction" How would you like your body to be exposed in front of thousands of wild men waiting to purchase you as their very own?Lalu later known as Polly is sold by her father to a stranger wanting to use her for whatever his needs may be.Polly is later faced with one of the greatest challenges of her life.She is taken to America only to be used as a slave in the arms of a powerful man.Used for a brothel and is treated like human bait.Finding herself standing around thousands of men ,being nude,and having them touch her in special places to make sue that she was okay for them to take to use as thier slave or whatever there thier needs may be.Having death happen in her own arms.Polly struggles with her new life in America and hoping that it would bring changes but only to find that it gets worse by the minute.She finds a man who thinks might change her life forever,is this man a true gentleman or just another pig wanting to take what she has left. This must be one of the best books i have ever read.I found myself bringing the book to life feeling as if i was a part of the book.I felt like I was in Polly shoes,I cried when she cried,i got angry when she did.RuthAnne Lum McCunn really brought out the best in this novel and detailed the scene nary very well.I usually don't like reading books that talk about ones life but this one really got to me.I usually enjoy readingsmall simple books like from authors,R.L.Stine,and Christopher Pike.Just because i knew that the reading would get done faster.The stories would be just nonsense stuff.After reading this book I found myself inquisitive to read other stories such as this one and get into it as much as I did for Thousand Pieces of Gold. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about a childs life in misery but in happiness at the end.Who enjoys sad parts and scary things in a novel.This book would give you a chance to really see what kind of things young woman in China go through,and also what immigrant woman such as Polly herself had to deal with.Many readers will find this book one of the greatest masterpieces RuthAnne wrote.This is really an eye catcher book.It makes you want to read it for as long as you possibly can.Thousand Pieces of Gold opens up a whole new reading span for me and I suggest that many go out and get this book because this is really one you dont want to miss.

painful but inspiring

Reading this book introduced me to worlds (in China and America) of extreme hardship and moral decay; you saw that people did terrible things to each other to survive. But not everyone succumbs -- some people manage to do good, to be loving and human even while struggling under bad circumstances. That the story is based in truth, and is written clearly and simply, helps to make a Thousand Pieces of Gold a depiction of hope and a great story.

I LOVED THE INTENSITY OF THIS BOOK

I THINK THIS IS A VERY NICE BOOK IT CAPUTERS THE TALE OF A YOUNG CHINESES AMERICAN GIRL AND IT SHOWS HER STRUGGLES AND HARDSHIPS AND HOW SHE GOT OUT OF THEM