How Much of These Hills Is Gold

Set during the American Gold Rush, C. Pam Zhang’s novel reimagines the Western through the eyes of Chinese American siblings. Zhang blends myth, history, and lyricism to challenge exclusionary national narratives. The book explores migration, inheritance, and the search for belonging. Its language is bold and poetic, reshaping familiar landscapes. The novel insists on who gets to be part of history. A striking, original debut.