When Sleeping Women Wake 🇭🇰🎌
- The_Secret_Bookreview
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
By Emma Pei Yin.
When Sleeping Women Wake is a powerful and moving debut, telling the story of three women whose lives are turned upside down by the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during the Second World War.
The book follows Mingzhu, a wealthy wife in a cold marriage; her daughter Qiang, strong-willed and restless; and their devoted maid Biyu, who is more like family than staff.
What begins as a tale of quiet oppression within the Tang family household quickly shifts as war arrives. The family is torn apart, and each woman is forced onto a different path. Mingzhu is compelled to work as a translator for the Japanese, where she quietly finds ways to resist. Qiang joins the resistance, leaving behind her privileged life to fight for freedom.
Biyu, ever loyal and brave, endures hardship and danger to survive.
There is a touching love story between Mingzhu and her daughter’s English tutor, Henry. It is a romance built on a shared love of poetry and literature, stolen moments and gentle understanding. Though bittersweet, it adds warmth and heart to the darker backdrop of war. Qiang also experiences a brief but memorable romance that adds further depth to her journey.
The book does lean towards formality in some of the prose and occasionally tells more than it shows, but overall it remains a compelling and emotionally resonant read. The historical setting is immersive and the characters, particularly the women, are richly developed and full of strength.
When Sleeping Women Wake shines a light on a time and place not often explored in British-published fiction. It reminded me of Pachinko in the way it focuses on women navigating loss, duty and love under occupation. Emma Pei Yin writes with care and insight, bringing her characters vividly to life.
This is a strong and emotional debut with a steady pace, historical depth and a fierce focus on women’s inner strength. I was fully absorbed and moved by the end.
Thank you to Charlotte at Quercus Books for sending me a finished copy of this beautiful historic book. The book is out now and available to purchase.
