“Secrets, scars, and stories — a fascinating historical novel of cultural significance.” — Starred Review, Independent Book Review
1st Place Winner, 2026 Biennial Competition, National League of American Pen Women
A biomedical researcher returns to China to transfer her late grandmother’s apartment to her male cousin so he can marry. However, a simple legal task turns into a bureaucratic nightmare, and her interracial marriage in Boston begins to unravel. Caught between two clashing cultures and struggling to save her dwindling clan and her own faltering marriage, she finds, to her surprise, that her homebound journey is a midlife self-discovery.
This immersive epic, similar in scope to Pachinko, portrays a resilient Chinese family that has survived a tumultuous century. Ultimately, finding one’s identity during a crisis is a testament to the human potential of reaching enlightenment under all circumstances.
“An observant and emotionally authentic novel of homecoming…Our Verdict: Get It!” — Kirkus Reviews
