The Fourth Daughter: A Novel

Lyn Liao Butler’s “The Fourth Daughter” is a beautifully woven family saga that tenderly explores the unbreakable bond between grandmother and granddaughter, set against the rich cultural tapestry of Taiwan. From the very first page, I adored Liv, a rising chef in Manhattan whose life is suddenly upended by trauma, and her beloved Ah-Ma, whose past holds a heartbreaking mystery spanning decades. The novel effortlessly shifts between present-day and vivid memories of Ah-Ma’s life from the 1950s through the 1970s, immersing readers in Taiwan’s history and traditions during a turbulent time under martial law. This dual narrative enriches the story, adding layers of emotional depth and historical resonance that make the search for Ah-Ma’s lost fourth daughter both poignant and compelling. What stands out most is the exquisite character development. Liv’s journey from emotional confinement to courageous healing is so authentic and moving that I cheered her on every step of the way. The special bond between Liv and Ah-Ma is palpable, filled with warmth, comfort, and a shared love that is as nourishing as the traditional Taiwanese food that threads through their story. The setting of Taiwan feels like a character itself—vibrant, comforting, and full of promise—and it provides the perfect backdrop for Liv’s healing and unexpected romance. The discovery of a precious old cookbook and the unraveling of a family secret deliver gripping twists that challenge everything Liv thought she knew about her family, while ultimately giving her the strength to confront her past. “The Fourth Daughter” is a heartfelt and inspiring novel about love, loss, resilience, and the power of family. It’s a deeply satisfying read that stays with you long after the last page. Highly recommended.

"The Fourth Daughter" is a beautiful work of historical fiction that draws the reader into the intricate world of Taiwan in the 1960s and present. The author Lyn Liao Butler spins a tale of resilience, family, and cultural tradition, providing a glimpse into the world in the eyes of the women who lived in the patriarchal society. The story begins with Livia’s grandmother calling her from Taiwan. She has seen a woman she whom she believes is her fourth daughter, a child her husband gave away without her knowledge or consent. She is given away to another family to be raised by them and marry their son when they are older. Yi Ping asks Livia to come to Taiwan to help her track the woman down. In the process we get a story that bounces between modern times and 1960s Taiwan, a time of political repression and terror. This story weaves culture, family ties, PTSD, Taiwanese history, and one mother’s determination to find a child stolen from her. It is the first book in a long time that has made me tear up. I gave this book four stars because it is a powerful and rich experience, but I do feel some of the side characters could have been better fleshed out. I highly recommend this book for book clubs and for readers who love to learn about history in parts of the world rarely taught in schools. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I also received a copy through the Amazon Prime free monthly book program.

I absolutely loved this story. It is tragic but also uplifting and I'm happy for the characters. There was so much to take in and I sped through this book as soon as I could. I thought it was a great plot. The story is told in varying viewpoints and jumps between decades, but I didn't find it distracting. It had a little bit of mystery, historical drama and romance, and concluded with a happy ending for all. As for why I think this story resonated with me: I am Taiwanese-American, and my family is from Taichung. I was born in the States but am familiar with all the neighborhoods described in this book. And the descriptions of all the food was mouth-watering and made me want to plan a trip to Taiwan immediately. Butler captured the family gathering in a private room at a restaurant with the hundred-course meal and conversations mixed with Mandarin, Taiwanese and English...it was so authentic, she could have been describing one of my family gatherings in Taichung. I'm about 10 years older than the main character, Liv, just as my mother and grandmother are about 10 years older than Liv's mother and grandmother. I wish I had been as close to my grandmother as she was to hers, but this book made me think of both of my grandmothers a lot. They had arranged marriages, what their husbands and father-in-laws said was law, and the idea of giving away a baby because of its gender wasn't out of the norm. However, I was unfamiliar with the way the KMT ruled the island, and I had family that lived there during this time - including my mom! No one's ever mentioned it, and I don't know if it's because they were unaffected by it or dealt with it by pretending ot didn't happen. But now I'm curious. The best books are the ones that are unforgettable and keep me thinking long after I've read the last word. The Fourth Daughter meets this criteria, and I highly recommend it!

Very fascinating historical fiction about Taiwan. The MC's grandmother calls her to come to Taiwan to help her find her 4th daughter, who, she learns, was stolen from her grandmother at 18 months by her husband who thought 4th daughters were bad luck. The story brings to light stories of children adopted out to be raised as child-brides for another family's son. It's a crazy story that is well written and kept my interest clear to the end. Very fulfilling, sweet ending.

I really enjoyed part of this book, but overall, there was a fair amount to detract from me really liking it. I did find the redundancy in the experience of food a little over the top, okay a lot. Also, the parallel romance was a nice idea, but is very unrealistic.