EPISODE · Apr 9, 2025 · 48 MIN
Season 2025: Episode 5. It took Richard Hsung's ten years, but he finished his mother's memoir telling about her tumultuous life in Communist China
from The Storied Human (What is your Story?) · host Lynne Thompson
Go ahead and text me! Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins was born unwanted during the 1931 Yangtze River Flood, adopted by medical missionaries, brought to the US for a few years, then trapped in Communist China. She was neither American nor Chinese "enough," yearning for acceptance and home her whole life. Her memoir, finished by her son, is an eyewitness account of Chinese history and her own harrowing story. Richard Hsung's life has spanned two continents and cultures. His mother survived turbulent times in China, living through the start of Communism, and being separated from her American adoptive parents. She asked Richard if he would tell her story, and she passed her notes and writings on to him. It took much longer than he thought it would and it changed him. Richard Perkins Hsung promised his mother he would complete her memoir. It took him more than ten years. He meticulously compiled and edited her writings, adding family photographs and historical details to create the 3-volume Spring Flower, spanning the 83 years of her life (1931–2014):Spring Flower Book 1: A Tale of Two RiversSpring Flower Book 2: Facing the Red Storm Spring Flower Book 3: Torn Between Shifting WorldsThe books have 5-star reviews on Amazon, and are the result of years of work by Chemistry Professor-turned-author Richard Hsung.At this time in history, his mother's story reminds us of the human costs of the decisions made by the world's government powers, and the painful decisions some people are forced to make.Find out more about Richard and the books on:https://richardperkinshsung.com/Reach him on social media: @RichardPHsungMusic Note: NEW for 2025! Original music created for The Storied Human podcast by the band "Rough Year," featuring Julian Calv on trimba (with Dillon Spear Brendan Talian) Thanks Guys!THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Check out my Facebook group -- The Storied Human.The Storied Human is on YouTube now-- check it out:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIHYKJ0fBDIF7hzWCu7b396GMJU-2qb7hHave a story? DM me on instagram: lthompson_574Drop me an email: [email protected] all my links on Linktree:https://linktr.ee/StoriedHuman/Also see all episodes on my new website: https://www.podpage.com/the-storied-human-what-is-your-story/episodes/Keep in touch!Original music "Saturday Sway" by Brendan Talian (for all interviews before 2025)
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Go ahead and text me! Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins was born unwanted during the 1931 Yangtze River Flood, adopted by medical missionaries, brought to the US for a few years, then trapped in Communist China. She was neither American nor Chinese "enough," yearning for acceptance and home her whole life. Her memoir, finished by her son, is an eyewitness account of Chinese history and her own harrowing story. Richard Hsung's life has spanned two continents and cultures. His mother survived turbul...
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Season 2025: Episode 5. It took Richard Hsung's ten years, but he finished his mother's memoir telling about her tumultuous life in Communist China
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