First published 1993
The Leong family lives wedged between two worlds in San Francisco's Chinatown. The parents hold tight to Chinese customs while their children pull toward American ways. Daily life becomes a series of small negotiations. Should they speak Cantonese or English at dinner? Which holidays matter most? How do you honor your ancestors while building a new life? Each family member handles these questions differently. The older generation remembers what they left behind. The younger generation sees only what lies ahead. In between, the middle generation translates constantly, carrying the weight of both worlds. The Leongs discover that being Chinese American means creating something entirely new, not just choosing one side or the other.
Genres: fiction, family, american-fiction, 20th-century, american, 21st-century, asian-american, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, family-dynamics, generational-divide
Setting: San Francisco, Chinatown
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
208 pages · Hardcover · Hyperion