Chasing Down the Moon

Based on the actual Chinese expulsion of 1885, Baku’s first novel is richly textured and well-crafted, with the setting of 19th-century Eureka, Calif. described with commendable accuracy. A young Chinese girl, Ya Zhen, is sold by her father and brought on a hellish journey from China to Eureka, where she is forced into prostitution. Rose Allen, who four years previously voluntarily relocated to Eureka from Illinois to live with her aunt, relishes her freedom and falls in love with Bai Lum, the proprietor of the Chinese mercantile. Together they try to help Ya Zhen. Rose and Bai Lum’s love is forbidden, and the situation gets worse when an anti-immigrant uproar begins after a white man is murdered. The Chinese residents of Eureka are blamed and the entire population is threatened. Both historical and fictional characters thrive under Baku’s hand. The novel resonates with current issues such as nationalism, immigration, and the oppression of women. In the hands of a less talented author, this heart-wrenching type of story could have fallen short, but fortunately, Baku comes through. (BookLife)