River East, River West
A Novel
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4.4 • 5 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION
Set against the backdrop of developing modern China, this mesmerizing literary debut is part coming-of-age tale, part family and social drama, as it follows two generations searching for belonging and opportunity in a rapidly changing world—perfect for readers of Behold the Dreamers, White Ivy, and The Leavers.
Shanghai, 2007: Fourteen-year-old Alva has always longed for more. Raised by her American expat mother, she’s never known her Chinese father, and is certain a better life awaits them in America. But when her mother announces her engagement to their wealthy Chinese landlord, Lu Fang, Alva’s hopes are dashed, and so she plots for the next best thing: the American School in Shanghai. Upon admission, though, Alva is surprised to discover an institution run by an exclusive community of expats and the ever-wilder thrills of a city where foreigners can ostensibly act as they please.
1985: In the seaside city of Qingdao, Lu Fang is a young, married man and a lowly clerk in a shipping yard. Though he once dreamed of a bright future, he is one of many casualties in his country’s harsh political reforms. So when China opens its doors to the first wave of foreigners in decades, Lu Fang’s world is split wide open after he meets an American woman who makes him confront difficult questions about his current status in life, and how much will ever be enough.
In a stunning reversal of the east-to-west immigrant narrative and set against China’s political history and economic rise, River East, River West is an intimate family drama and a sharp social novel. Alternating between Alva and Lu Fang’s points of view, this is a profoundly moving exploration of race and class, cultural identity and belonging, and the often-false promise of the American Dream.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Rey Lescure's captivating and sharp debut explores the dreams of an angsty mixed-race Chinese teen in Shanghai and her new stepfather, an older Chinese businessman. The story opens in 2007 with 14-year-old Alva fuming at the lavish wedding of her 40-something American mother, Sloan, upset that the nearly 60-year-old Lu Fang has "stole" Sloan from her. In Alva's eyes, Lu Fang is just the latest in a line of men who have financed Alva's and Sloan's lives in China, though he's the first one to marry Sloan. Alva has never known her Chinese father, and has only ever wanted to move to America, but Sloan, a former Hollywood movie star, sees no point in returning, prompting Alva to act out by drinking and sending hentai porn to her classmates. Alva's story is seamlessly interspersed with Lu Fang's perspective, beginning in 1985 in the northern Chinese city of Qingdao, where he first met Sloan. At 36, he swims in the ocean each day to dull the sorrows of having been denied college graduation years earlier and his impending fatherhood with a wife he does not love. When he is approached by the beautiful blonde Sloan, who asks him to teach her to swim, he falls deeply for the confident and forthcoming young woman. They begin a passionate, risky affair. This glimpse into Lu Fang's early life adds depth to a character who, in 2007, Alva only sees as an ATM. Rey Lescure provides immersive depictions of Shanghai and Qingdao along with delicate character work. This is a remarkable story of a family caught between cultures.
Customer Reviews
Amazing poignant and deep emotion
When I saw the book cover at store, I was how would a foreign Ivy League graduate understand and navigate modern life in China. It turns out the author has deep roots in China. The part she wrote about upper class American like the Cruise family was funny too. The part that touch me most is actually by the leading man Lu Fang. From his angle the author wrote many historical event in the past two decades. One caveat is the story ends at 2008. So China has changed a lot since then too.