
The Palest Ink
Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters
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Narrated by:
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Will Damron
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By:
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Kay Bratt
A sheltered son from an intellectual family in Shanghai, Benfu spends 1966 anticipating a promising violinist career and an arranged marriage. On the other side of town lives Pony Boy, a member of a lower-class family - but Benfu's best friend all the same. Their futures look different but guaranteed...until they're faced with a perilous opportunity to leave a mark on history.
At the announcement of China's Cultural Revolution, Chairman Mao's Red Guard members begin their assault, leaving innocent victims in their wake as they surge across the country. With political turmoil at their door, both Benfu and Pony Boy must face heart-wrenching decisions regarding family, friendship, courage, and loyalty to their country during one of the most chaotic periods in history.
The prequel to the beloved Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters series, The Palest Ink depicts Benfu's coming-of-age during the tumultuous years of the Cultural Revolution.
©2015 Kay Bratt (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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This book gave such insight into what formed Benfu’s character and how his relationship with CallaLily developed into one so deep. Now I understand better what allowed Benfu to be such a strong, loving father to the many unwanted girls that he and Callie took in over the years, raised as their own and so dearly loved.
Throughout the next four books, Benfu and Callie are a strong, united team in all they did. Callie was the calmness when Benfu let his feelings sometimes get in the way of his rational thinking, and Benfu was Callie’s strength when she needed it… They were Ying and Yang the best sense of the definition.
This booked also provided an eye-opening look at the events during Mao Zedong’s grip over China. I have often wondered how a whole country of people could be brainwashed into following his beliefs and rules (just as I have always wondered about Hitler and the mentality of so many in Germany).
I also wondered how many TRULY believed in Zedong’s rulings and just outwardly went along for their own survival (the “go along to get along” mentality).
Surely there were MANY in China who were of the same opinion as Benfu, Pony Boy and Ren; but against a red tide, they knew it safest to keep their mouth’s shut and hope to survive long enough to see better times.
I was heart-sickened reading about the bird lady and her beloved birds. My heart just ached for this woman and I cried for her (yes, I know she was a fictional character in a book, but her position moved me deeply, especially as she was elderly) — no one was spared or shown any compassion.
As an avid animal lover, and the pet mom to six cats and two dogs, I cannot imagine a life without my fur children. I cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like during Zedong’s time to be told that not only could you not have pets, but you were somehow dispose of the animals you already had or pay the consequences if caught; nor can I imagine what the paranoia was truly like, never knowing if your neighbors, trusted friends or even your own family would turn you in for “breaking the rules.” Rules such as no gardens or flowers, making everything as bleak as possible make no sense.
At age 63, I have of course read and heard of the famine that China’s people endured under Zedong’s rule. This book however, painted a very clear picture of what it was like for so many. As Americans, we take for granted our ability to walk to a faucet and get a clean, cool drink of water any time, or to buy a fresh bottle of water in any store.
We complain loudly about the high cost of groceries, but never have we had to endure the starvation that so many still endure in other countries. Because we are not affected by it, we do not think about the people who live in countries for whom access to plenty of fresh food and clean drinking water is something they can only pray for and dream.
Poor Pony Boy… He had such a joyful, loving and giving heart. I had SO hoped that somehow there would be a last minute miracle for him. I am glad that his character was at least rich in love and that in Benfu, he had a friend forever.
Whether you read this prequel before the Scavenger’s Daughters, somewhere in the middle of the series, or at the end like I did, I highly recommend this book. It was much better than I anticipated (I should not have been surprised — it was written by the AMAZING Kay Bratt). The characters are rich in personality and emotion, and the book gives insight during the other SD books as to what made Benfu who he was — someone who lived his convictions, was a loyal friend, and a man who loved his family deeply.
The narrator for this book was absolutely perfect — he brought Benfu to life.💕
Audible:
I had a great bit of difficulty purchasing this book. I found it was not available thru the regular catalog. I was only able to purchase it thru the Member’s Plus catalog. STATING THIS CLEARLY in the listing would save members a lot of time and frustration.
A BEAUTIFUL STORY OF LOVE & FRIENDSHIP…
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loved it!!
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very intriguing historical fiction
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Prequel to The Scavengers Daughter
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Would you listen to The Palest Ink again? Why?
The story, and subject is interesting, which makes the book worth reading.But the writing itself is rather juvenile.
Historically interesting, but juvenile writing
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Fascinating
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A beautiful piece of historical fiction
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An Unforgettable Story
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Heartbreaking tale set during the Mao Tse Tung era
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Absolute;y a must read
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