by Timothy Mo
First published 1990
Chen arrives in London from Hong Kong with dreams of establishing himself in Britain. His wife follows reluctantly, uncertain about leaving everything familiar behind for this cold, strange city. The couple faces the daily challenges of immigrant life in 1960s England, from navigating unfamiliar customs to finding their place in a society that often views them as outsiders. Chen pushes forward with determination while his wife grapples with homesickness and doubt. Their marriage strains under the pressure of adaptation as they discover that building a home requires more than just finding shelter. Mo crafts their story as a bittersweet comedy, revealing how the promise of a better life comes mixed with unexpected costs. The novel captures the complex emotions of displacement and belonging as two people learn what they must sacrifice and what they can preserve of themselves in their new country.
Genres: 20th-century, contemporary, adult-fiction, 21st-century, asian-american, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Britain, England, Hong Kong, London
Period: 1960s
256 pages · Hardcover · Hodder & Stoughton Educational Division