The Lu Family Saga

Author Statement

I arrived in the United States in 1965, over half a century ago, at twenty-one. Upon entering, I tucked away my painful childhood experiences into the back of my mind. I left them unattended, and I never really wanted to revisit them. I had far more pressing matters ahead of me in the new country. Learning the English language was a significant challenge. My demanding young life forged forward, but through it all, I knew whatever lies ahead would never be as challenging as what I had been through in China. Those life experiences gave me the undeniable inner strength to face life in front of me fearlessly.

While writing my book, having to force myself to think about the past, vivid images of my childhood came back to me. Sometimes in the middle of the night, a memory would come alive, and I got out of bed to compose. After writing my story, I felt relieved for having unleashed years of suppressed memories – that I will no longer have to hold this history unheard.

Critical Acclaim

“Read several biographies about the immigrant experience from Asia. Saga is the best I read this year.”

– Glen Davis – Favorite Books of 2019 on Lesa’s Book Critiques

“Their triumph over incredible hardships and their love for one another is uniquely inspirational and not to be missed.

– Lawrence Chase, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor, Communication Studies Department California State University, Sacramento

“Kim Luke’s book is an important testament to how strong the Chinese character can be when tested.”

– Donald A. Gibbs, Department of East Asian Language & Cultures, Professor Emeritus of Chinese Studies, University of California, Davis

“The author’s ability to bring to life the story of courageous family members, especially her great-grandfather, who had a huge part in overturning the last of the Chinese Dynasties, is just stunning!“

– Cameron Snow, retired nurse

“I had never been exposed to a family’s intimate experiences as has been so wonderfully portrayed by Kim S. Luke.“

– William Roth, computer business owner

“A unique and compelling story about the resilience of a family subjected to the cruelties of corrupt governments.“

– Nan Baker, Certified Trainer

“This work reveals the strength of our nation: that we are a land of many extraordinary people who have struggled greatly to reach our shores.“

– Richard A. Frishman, J. D.

“I learned more about China from this book than I did at college!”

– Glen Davis, Rancher

“An entertaining and informative read!”

– Roger P. Zabkie

“I learned more about China from this Saga than I ever dreamed of.“

– Lon Cantor, author

"Saga is a rare read of a young first person's oral history of her intimate family life in a renowned Chinese village when in that certain period, news in China was closed to the world."

– Roger Fong, former Sacramento County Assessor

“Kim’s touching and sometimes humorous recounting of close kinship and caring friendships, as well as the hardships of daily life and the common human bond that helped them survive, are striking.“

– Georgia McGreal, J. D.

“Read this book if you want to laugh, are not afraid to cry, and want to be inspired by a truly courageous woman who left home, family, and the bones of her ancestors behind to explore a new life, first in Hong Kong and then in the USA.“

– Weldon Reeves, J. D.

"The Lu Family Saga is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of China. It should be mandatory for any student in Asian Studies or history classes."

– Larry G. Broussard, J. D. Retired Chief of Staff from the Legislature, Sacramento

"The book 'Lu Family Saga' helped piece together my scattered knowledge of the political development of modern China. Through the author’s dramatic first-person family past, her story left me with a renewed interest in Chinese history."

– Jimmie R. Yee, former City Mayor of Sacramento