Weike Wang Boeken

PEN/HEMINGWAY AWARD WINNER • WHITING AWARD WINNER • Smart, moving, and funny, a unique coming-of-age story about a quirky, overworked narrator who seems to be on the cusp of a perfect life but finds herself on a new path of discoveries about everything she thought she knew. "Told in a hilarious deadpan that recalls Gish Jen and Nora Ephron." —O, The Oprah Magazine At first glance, the life of the narrator of Weike Wang’s debut novel seems ideal: she is studying for a prestigious PhD in chemistry that will make her Chinese parents proud (or at least satisfied), and her successful, supportive boyfriend has just proposed to her. But instead of feeling hopeful, she is wracked with ambivalence: the long, demanding hours at the lab have created an exquisite pressure cooker, and she doesn’t know how to answer the marriage question. Soon it all becomes too much and her life plan veers off course....

A witty and moving novel about a complex woman who embraces her true self, from an award-winning author. Joan, a thirtysomething ICU doctor in a bustling New York City hospital, is the daughter of Chinese immigrants who sought the American dream for their children. Devoted to her work and content in her solitude, she often reflects on her roots—whether they lie in her demanding career or the cultural expectations of her family. After her parents return to China following her and her brother Fang's career establishment, Joan's life is upended by her father's sudden death and her mother's return to America, seeking to reconnect. This upheaval coincides with a global health crisis that challenges Joan’s comfort zone, her hospital, and her city. Deceptively simple yet deeply impactful, the narrative is infused with sharp humor and addresses resonant themes: the experience of being Chinese-American, the pressures of working in medicine during a crisis, the struggle for voice in a dominant culture, navigating a male-dominated workplace, and maintaining independence within a close-knit family. Ultimately, it presents a striking portrait of a remarkable woman who lingers in the reader's mind long after the last page.

The story explores the complexities of marriage and family dynamics through the experiences of Keru and Nate, who come from contrasting backgrounds. As they navigate the challenges of integrating their families during two vacation trips, tensions arise that force them to confront hidden truths about their relationship. With a giant sheepdog named Mantou by their side, they grapple with issues of identity, belonging, and the pressures of familial expectations. The narrative poses thought-provoking questions about love, family, and the effort required to maintain harmony amidst differences.