Two sisters.
Four decades.
One unbreakable thread.
Sisters Mingyan and Shuyan grow up together in the shadow of the Japanese invasion, only to be separated by revolution and the authoritarian rule of Mao's China—each navigating life, love, and loss on opposite sides of the border. Spanning four decades—from a quiet town near the Yangtze River to the capital city of Beijing and the glittering streets of Hong Kong—they carry the weight of what was lost, and the fragile hope of what might still be found.
Inspired by true stories and personal experience, Daughters of Yangtze traces one family’s journey through one of the darkest chapters of modern Chinese history, and stands as a reminder of what must never be forgotten.
Available Fall 2026
Excerpts
She ignored him, holding the bracelet up to the light coming through the window.
“How can I share this with others?” she said quietly. “It’s only big enough for one arm. Not even.” She looked down at her thickened wrist, lamenting.
~~~
“Death will come regardless. We may not be able to preserve our lives, but we can preserve your virtue as a young woman. So, you must go and jump into the well before they get you.”
~~~
Now, nearly thirty years later, she found herself staring at another well, while her own child, far away, endured a different kind of torment. Alone.
~~~
As they walked out of the room, waving good-bye to the other children, Lingling suddenly felt she had never been prouder. Proud that her Mama had come back for her while others’ mamas hadn’t. She did not want to be modest about this. Not at all.
Chun Xiao Bleau is an Atlanta-based author and scientist/software developer with a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from Yale University School of Medicine. Born in China, she brings a personal connection to the stories of resilience, sacrifice, and transformation woven through Daughters of Yangtze, her debut novel. The opening chapter from the book won first place of Terry Kay Prize for Fiction at the Atlanta Writers Club’s Annual Writing Contest 2026.
Meet the Author
Credentials…
Parents
Tiananmen
Shaoshan - Mao’s birthplace