DAUGHTER OF CHINA
Riveting and heartrending Christian fiction for older children and adults.
The Worldview
DAUGHTER OF CHINA presents a very strong Christian worldview within an oppressive, anti-Christian, one-child communist country. The story portrays China as opened to economic freedoms while still controlling reproduction and oppressing Christians. It exalts faith in Christ, sacrificial service, courage under persecution, and the belief that God can work through suffering.
The novel aligns with a biblical view by treating the Gospel as true and powerful, showing Christians caring for prisoners and the vulnerable, and exposing the cruelty of oppression. It also depicts a society marked by deception and fear, even within families. The source does not describe a distortion of Christian teaching in the novel; its central emphasis is that God acts in the lives of His people.
Mei Lin’s faith turns suffering into an opportunity to serve others. Scripture calls believers to remember those in prison as though they were with them: “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them” (Hebrews 13:3).
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESMei Lin grows up in a rural Chinese village with a Christian father and an anti-Christian grandmother. Brilliant and eager to attend university in Shanghai, she finds herself caught between a young man she loves and a people’s police officer who wants her.
When Mei Lin rejects the officer and declares her faith, she is thrown into prison. There, her cry to God begins a life-changing mission among prisoners and eventually leads her into danger beyond the prison walls.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own reader.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian worldview set in the oppressive Anti-Christian, one child communist country of China showing that China’s opened up to economic freedoms but still oppresses and controls Christians and reproduction; no foul language; novel contains many passages with extreme violence, including the starving and killing of children, women, prisoners and other oppressive acts of violence; no sexual immorality but some kissing; no drinking; no smoking or drugs; and, families live in deception and fear of their own family members.
Is the Writing Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptionally strong novel. DAUGHTER OF CHINA reads as well as the famous book UNBROKEN, with constant, compelling jeopardy and a story that consistently grabs the heart.
The novel also holds together extreme pathos and moments of joy. Its Christian message is not incidental: the Gospel is lifted up, and God acts in the lives of the characters.
Talk About It
Four questions for the dinner table, the car, or a parent and teen reading it together.
Mei Lin declares her faith even when doing so brings suffering. What helps Christians remain faithful when faithfulness is costly?
Matthew 5:10–12 · Hebrews 10:35–39The story shows Christians serving people in prison and caring for the vulnerable. Who around us needs practical compassion rather than merely good intentions?
Matthew 25:35–40 · Galatians 6:10The novel portrays families living in deception and fear. How does fear damage relationships, and how does truth bring freedom?
John 8:31–32 · Ephesians 4:25The story holds grief and joy together. Where can Christians look for hope when suffering does not immediately end?
Romans 5:3–5 · 2 Corinthians 4:16–18The Final Word
DAUGHTER OF CHINA is a powerful, heartrending novel that combines constant jeopardy with joy, courage, and a clear Gospel witness. Older children and adults who can handle its extreme violence should read it now rather than wait for a movie. WORTH THE TRIP.
