Philosophical think-lit, heavily relationships-focused, without the distraction of complex plot as lives play out, starting in a remote Chinese village to Shanghai to America—and back again. Digs into all the deep-seated issues caused by comparisons made between people of different social status, returning immigrants, second generation Chinese raised by America, and the two sides of a strong struggling culture that claws at relevant recognition in the ‘New’ China. What walls stand firmly between us? What walls might eventually be broken down? And how does China survive as a beautiful distinct culture and entity in a world bent on blending cultures into an earth-sized melting pot? The story serves as an allegory, an interesting investigation into how these questions might be addressed.

I usually enjoy the voices of the least privileged among characters, but I found Sunny’s voice petty, immature, and her jealousy, though it dims, was too ugly—she was difficult to relate to, and that’s not usually my trouble. Still, hers was a voice the story needed to make its impact, and Sunny bookends the novel with her own journey from h(elp)opelessness to opportunity.

I was surprised to like Lina the most of all these characters. Her conflicts ran deep, she was honest with herself, and tried to be openly honest with others, even when discouraged from living honestly. She accepts her circumstances with blind trust, and when the truth is revealed, she is not bitter or ‘traumatised’ but handles it with rare grace. That was nice to see in a character in this day and age. Lina played off as elegant at the start, but she earned it over time.

Wei was kind of clueless. You really couldn’t blame him, though. He was mean to his brother, as many brothers are to each other, but learned his lesson and lived with regrets, longing to repent and not quite sure how to make amends. He tried to be kind as he matured, and that counted for something. And then, he finally won me over in that special scene with his daughter—an awkward, but beautiful passage. Ya did good there, Wei. 

The story addresses no great mysteries nor delivers shocking reveals, at times the writing is a little pedestrian, but overall the wrapping and unwrapping of this highly relationship-focused narrative was decent, and delivers a heart-warming finish; hope for life amid life’s disappointments.