Book Review Of Taylor Moore on C Pam Zhang’s How Much Of These Hills Is Gold
Taylor Moore’s review of C. Pam Zhang’s “How Much of These Hills Is Gold” is a thoughtful exploration of the novel’s themes and characters. Moore is especially adept at capturing the novel’s complex portrayal of the American West and its history of violence and exploitation.
Moore begins by describing the novel’s setting: a world of “scrappy towns and harsh landscapes” where gold fever has led to destruction and displacement. He notes how Zhang deftly portrays the toll that this history has taken on its characters, especially the two young sisters, Lucy and Sam.
Moore praises Zhang’s writing style, which he describes as “lyrical and spare.” He notes how the novel’s imagery and language often evoke the natural world, reinforcing the sense of a world in which humans and nature are intricately intertwined.
Moore also delves into the novel’s exploration of gender and identity. He notes how Lucy and Sam both challenge traditional gender roles, with Lucy taking on the masculine role of a cowboy and Sam expressing a desire to be seen as neither male nor female. Moore praises Zhang for her nuanced portrayal of these characters, which avoids easy categorization or stereotypes.
Overall, Moore’s appraisal of “How Much of These Hills Is Gold” is a serious and perceptive one. This review is an invaluable tool for anybody who is interested in the book due to his meticulous attention to detail and close reading of the novel’s themes and characters.