Yesteryear's Wish by Zixiao Yu follows a young man's journey of self-discovery. The book opens with an unnamed narrator telling his story, beginning with his childhood in Tian Nan Road, raised by parents who owned a bakery shop. When he was eight years old, the narrator's great-aunt passed away, leaving her daughter Yunyun and her grandfather with his family. After some initial resentment, the narrator develops a close bond with Yunyun, standing up for her in front of bullies in school. Once, the two kids got lost in the woods for two days, leaving Yunyun with pneumonia. But Yunyun eventually leaves with her father, and the narrator is left heartbroken. He later finds love with a woman named Shasha, but it doesn't last. After many years, he returns home and learns about Yunyun's tragic fate from her half-sister.

Soaked in heartache, romance, and drama, Yesteryear's Wish is a moving tale of first love, family, and unfulfilled dreams. Zixiao Yu spins a captivating character-driven yarn narrated in a first-person POV from the perspective of a young man who has spent his life searching for lasting love since his first childhood crush. The story is intimate and very much relatable due to Zixiao Yu's handling of the characters. The characters have genuine motives and agency that make sense. The protagonist and both his love interests, Yunyun and Shasha, have tragic backstories that make the reader sympathize with their plight. Even the secondary characters make an impression. The ending is somewhat bittersweet, but it suits the narrative tone. In conclusion, I found the story poignant and thoroughly riveting. For literary fiction enthusiasts, this will be right up your alley!

Yesteryear's Wish by Zixiao Yu presents a deeply moving exploration of memory, loss, and the quiet moments that shape our lives. In this masterpiece of emotion, the author weaves together past and present through the story of a narrator whose life is forever changed by their cousin Yunyun. When Yunyun comes to live with the narrator's family, they form an unbreakable bond that is suddenly severed by Yunyun's departure with her father. Years later, the narrator's return to their hometown reveals the truth about Yunyun's unfulfilled life, sparking a profound journey of self-reflection. Through delicate prose and careful observation, Yu crafts a narrative that examines how the echoes of past relationships continue to resonate through time, inviting readers to consider the lasting impact of seemingly ordinary lives and the nature of memory itself.

Author Zixiao Yu creates a mesmerizing atmosphere with prose that captures the effect of memory and the gravitas of unspoken emotions so well, and there's plenty of breathing space amidst the action to think about these powerful concepts. I found myself completely absorbed by the way the delicate interplay between past and present evolved, making even the smallest details feel significant and meaningful, and giving them such a beautiful descriptive quality. The exploration of the narrator's relationship with Yunyun reveals universal truths about human connection and loss, while the portrayal of their hometown creates a vivid sense of place that contextualizes the emotional journey naturally. Yu's masterful use of first-person narration draws readers deep into the protagonist's psychological landscape, making the quest for understanding and peace feel deeply personal and universally relevant. The novel's meditation on the quiet ways people influence each other's lives is particularly poignant, offering insights into how seemingly ordinary relationships can profoundly shape our understanding of ourselves and the world. Overall, Yesteryear's Wish is an exquisite literary achievement that rewards careful reading with profound insights into the human experience of memory, loss, and redemption, and I'd recommend it as a must-read.

Yesteryear’s Wish by Zixiao Yu tells a heartfelt story about love, loss, and the twists of fate. It centers around Yu and his cousin, Yunyun, whose lives cross paths during childhood after a tough moment in Yunyun's life—the loss of her mother. At first, they don't share a close bond, but as time goes on, they connect more deeply, forming a special relationship filled with hope, even if it doesn't lead to complete happiness. Life takes them in different directions because of Yunyun's estranged father, and they find themselves living separate lives, always carrying the memories of each other and the dreams they once shared. As the years go by, Yu finds it hard to let go of the emptiness Yunyun left behind, trying to move on but struggling to find true peace. Through Yu’s reflections on their relationship and his conversations with Yunyun’s sister, the narrative becomes a somber meditation on the pain of missed chances and the bittersweet beauty of dreams deferred.

I enjoyed Yesteryear’s Wish. It was both haunting and beautifully melancholic, exploring deep themes of love, destiny, and the human struggle against things we can't control. The story unfolds at a reflective pace, which let me dive into Yu’s introspective journey while slowly discovering the tragic life of Yunyun. It’s a thought-provoking read. The pacing might feel leisurely for those used to faster-paced narratives, but this approach enhances the emotional depth of the story. The characters are delicately crafted; Yu’s yearning and sorrow feel genuine, while Yunyun’s complex life and tragic end bring an aching realism to the story. The themes resonate well—it's all about missed opportunities, the tricky pursuit of happiness, and the reality that some dreams, no matter how much we hold on to them, might never quite come true. I loved how the author tackled the idea of fate versus personal choices, making us think about how much control we have over our lives. Plus, the way the story addresses the effects of war on individuals adds an important layer, juxtaposing personal battles with larger societal issues. Zixiao Yu’s writing has a gentle, lingering sadness that makes me pause and reflect on how valuable time is and the bravery it takes to chase after love and happiness, especially in such an unpredictable world.

Yesteryear’s Wish by Zixiao Yu is a deep and reflective story that explores life’s alternate possibilities. When the narrator was eight, a series of circumstances brought Yunyun into his life, and she came to live with him and his parents. Though their connection was not immediate, they grew close through school, shared experiences, and childhood games. However, this bond was cut short when Yunyun’s father reclaimed her, forcing a difficult separation that left a lasting impact on the narrator and his family. As they grew up, and followed their path, neither realized the hidden effect of their bond on their personal lives. Years later, the narrator finally hears the heartbreaking story of Yunyun's life after they parted.

In Yesteryear’s Wish, Zixiao Yu provides the reader with a vivid picture of life growing up in the narrator’s home, school, and hometown, enriching the story and helping the reader understand the characters and their environment. I felt emotionally connected to their separation and its lasting effect as they navigated through their lives. Somber elements within the narrative, such as vivid dreams, added depth and suspense to the plot by hinting at possible future events without explicitly revealing them. This added a reflective element that keep the reader invested in trying to interpret these clues and how they would impact the characters' journeys. Ultimately, this story is about the quiet unseen bonds that shape who we become. Fans of stories that explore childhood experiences, introspection, and the complexities of human emotions will greatly enjoy this book.