OVERVIEW
This is Karissa's debut novel, and what a first novel! I loved this historical fiction book from beginning to end! An absolutely stunning, fascinating, and beautiful story. I eagerly await the next book that she writes!
I had taken Asian history in high school, but had forgotten so much about the Chinese Civil War (especially that it was two parts around WWII). It seems that all civil wars are horrific, devastating, and brutal. Brothers fighting brothers, and possibly my husband's extended family, were involved in this war was heartbreaking. Yes, this was another WWII book - this war keeps following me!
My dear husband is an American of Cantonese descent. But to his dismay, I prefer the flavor profile of Taiwanese food. After reading this novel, I now want to eat my way through Taiwan!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Karissa can write! This was her debut, and it did not read like a debut! It was so beautifully written, descriptive, and thought-provoking.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters were Haiwen and Suchi, who were childhood friends from the same longtang (alley/neighborhood) in Shanghai. Their lives diverge after WWII when the Chinese Civil War begins.
The secondary characters are Howard and Sue's family and friends from the longtang. They all endured so much during WWII and then even worse during the second half of the Chinese Civil War and the final takeover by the Chinese Communist Party.
The tertiary characters are the friends and family in Taiwan and the United States.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline was done incredibly creatively. Brava!
Sue and Howard's stories are told in separate chapters. Sue's stories are looking forward, while Howard's are looking backwards (as explained by the author at the beginning of the book). Such a perfect way to feel their characters. I loved it!
What the author also does is have the characters code-switch between the languages of Tawainese, Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Wu, English, and Mandarin (I hope that I didn't miss any others). The names of the characters also change, which also happens in other languages. But, Karissa makes us work for it by not labelling the chapters with the appropriate language names, but rather the time.
The name code-switching helps non-Sinitic language speakers understand what these characters had to do to learn the multitude of languages in the region. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for any refugee or immigrant not knowing the new language of their home.
The locations were primarily Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
The characters were seeking a home, but they already had their homes with their memories. They just didn't realize it! I also think of my loved ones and dearest friends as my home - I am happiest when I am with them. Powerful!
A quote from the book, "It is better to kill a thousand innocent men than to let one guilty man live" has been attributed to Chiang Kai-shek or Wang Jing-wei. The author discusses it in her Notes, and it made me realize that both sides were horrific in this civil war and most other wars.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
512 pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Release date: 1/7/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Karissa Chen
Goodreads review
The Storygraph review
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
War, violence, gun violence, sexual violence, physical violence, starvation, classism, death of a parent, death, racism, xenophobia, medical trauma, blood, cursing
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
