The thing about this book is I had to keep pausing to cry. Don't mistake me, that's a recommendation. I was so drawn into this story and related so well to each point of view character, that I laughed and cried with them.

You might identify most with Silk, who strongly identifies as Taiwanese; or her daughter Lisa who thinks of herself as only American; or granddaughter Abbey who says she is American born Taiwanese-American; and all the things they experience.

You might also relate with Silk and Jack's aging, Lisa's desire for a father, Abbey's longing to belong and unwillingness to sacrifice her morals, Silk's health issues, Lisa's caretaking for a parent and a child, Silk's grief over the loss of her husband and her country, or Jack's loneliness.

You will cry when you read this book. You will laugh. And you will come to love these characters.

(Provided by publisher) ( )

I had a little trouble getting started with this one, because it was out of my usual comfort zone. This was definitely not a young adult novel, and it was not fantasy, but it seemed like an interesting premise, so I wanted to give it a whirl.

I enjoyed learning about the cultural differences and some of the differences in the family dynamic. I think if I had to pick, I most related to Abbey with trying to fit in and find her place, and feeling like nothing fit. I was that kid growing up.

Reading through this book not only brought into perspective for me the differences between different cultures, but also some of the universal truths that transcend any kind of cultural line. Families are complicated. Trying to meet the needs of several generations in one household can completely change how one would normally do things.

I overall enjoyed reading this novel and learning all that I was able to learn from it. If you enjoy historical fiction or women's lit, then you may enjoy this book. ( )

I had a little trouble getting started with this one, because it was out of my usual comfort zone. This was definitely not a young adult novel, and it was not fantasy, but it seemed like an interesting premise, so I wanted to give it a whirl.

I enjoyed learning about the cultural differences and some of the differences in the family dynamic. I think if I had to pick, I most related to Abbey with trying to fit in and find her place, and feeling like nothing fit. I was that kid growing up.

Reading through this book not only brought into perspective for me the differences between different cultures, but also some of the universal truths that transcend any kind of cultural line. Families are complicated. Trying to meet the needs of several generations in one household can completely change how one would normally do things.

I overall enjoyed reading this novel and learning all that I was able to learn from it. If you enjoy historical fiction or women's lit, then you may enjoy this book. ( )

I couldn't get past the terrible formatting issues with this review galley on my kindle Fire. And since the text didn't grip me either...I gave up. ( )

Silk Lu, who immigrated alone from Taiwan in 1947 shortly before the birth of her daughter, has kept the details of her life before America private to all which has created a wall between her daughter and granddaughter. Lisa Lu, who followed her mother into a life of single motherhood after a post-high school wild weekend, has just lost her low-level job at a senior living home and is wondering how she will be able to continue supporting her and her daughter. Abbey Lu, who has proven to be a better student in school than her mother was, is dealing with the isolation of being shunned by the popular clique. Jack Chen, who is still feeling the painful loss of his beloved wife, has walked away from the same senior home that laid off Lisa and found a maintenance job at Abbey's school. A school accident that breaks Jack's leg, a party hosted by popular boy in Abbey's class that turns deviant and Silk's cancer diagnosis become catalysts that allow the three generations of women to build a family bond as Silk opens up about how Lisa's father was one of the victims of the 228 massacre in 1947 Taiwan. This is a well-written debut novel that explores ancestral, historical, and multi-cultural influences on family relationships. I did feel that based on her story, Abbey should be two or three years older at the higher appropriate grade level, but I was able to make this adjustment in my head as I read this very engaging book. ( )