“Dazzling debut . . . Filled with exquisite, heartrending details, Ko’s exploration of the often-brutal immigrant experience in America is a moving tale of family and belonging.”
NO MAJOR SPOILERS
This is a novel about a young Chinese American named Deming Gou. Deming’s mother Polly was born in China. After getting pregnant by a local boy, Polly illegally comes to New York where she gives birth to Deming. Polly and Deming eventually move in with Polly’s new boyfriend Leon, his sister Vickie and her son Michael where they exist as a family unit.
Polly soon hears about a better paying job in Florida, but no one wants to move there. One day Polly goes to work and she never returns. After not being able to locate her, Leon goes back to China and Vickie places Deming in Foster care where he is soon adopted by the Wilkinsons, a married couple who are college professors and live upstate.
Polly soon hears about a better paying job in Florida, but no one wants to move there. One day Polly goes to work and she never returns. After not being able to locate her, Leon goes back to China and Vickie places Deming in Foster care where he is soon adopted by the Wilkinsons, a married couple who are college professors and live upstate.
They change Demings name to Daniel, hoping he will find it easier to assimilate into his new surroundings. A few years later Michael tracks Deming down and thus begins the main part of the story. What happened to Polly? Why did she leave her Son?
This is a powerful story of a young man trying to cope with all the changes forced upon him because of the absence of his Mother. It is heartfelt, and rings entirely true.
This book is currently on the short list for The National Book award. Recommended.
Reviewed by:
Richard Franco
Added 30th October 2017
