Jean Fritz was born in China, and lived there until the late 1920s, when her family had to leave due to the Japanese invasion. She was twelve at the time, and excited to go to the mythical land of America. Her family was not able to return to China as the situation there went from the trials of foreign invasion to the upheaval of civil war and Communism. Jean describes the internal conflict of her heart very well; always feeling that something was missing, that she didn't quite belong here in America.

In the 1970s, the political climate changed enough that she and her husband were allowed to return to the place she was born and raised in China for three weeks. She was considered a "Friend of China" and given special attention, a driver to escort her to the places she wanted to see. Even after all the time and upheaval, she was able to find a bit of the China she had known.

I found it interesting to read this story. Much of the recent history of China is thrown in to help the reader understand. She also portrays the lost feeling that many children of missionaries and other foreign workers have, not feeling they belong to one or another country, but needing a place to belong. Her wording dances around the political climate of China in the 1970s, trying hard to portray an accurate picture without offending the Chinese government. In the end, this is a travelog, and it is focused on both her memories and her trip. I would not say it is particularly soul-stirring, but interesting and short. ( )