Set in New York and partially in China over three decades, Paper Names tells the story of what it means to be American through three different individuals. Tony moved with his wife and three year old daughter from China to the United States, sacrificing everything for a better future for his family. His daughter Tammy, who we are introduced to when she is nine and follow through adulthood, struggles with the expectations of her Chinese parents and her own personal desires. Oliver, a handsome white lawyer, has a dark family secret, and lives in the building where Tony works as a doorman. When one of the building’s residents is attacked, Tony steps in and becomes a hero, and the lives of Tony, Oliver, and Tammy become intertwined forever.

Trying to make it through my @bookofthemonth backlog! Lou’s debut novel is a powerful story of family, parents’ expectations, and the ripple effect that decisions cause over time. The characters have so much complexity and nuance to them, and it was easy to connect with each of them despite their shortcomings. The book switched between different time periods, but the story still felt very linear. Focusing on both Tony as the parent and Tammy as the child also gave a lot of depth and different points of view to the immigrant experience. This was a great family drama that I highly recommend!