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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Tried a few times but really couldn't get thru it
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally posted on Just a Lil Lost
Wow – this was such a compelling read. The chapters switching POVs between Jasmine and Rebecca really highlighted the stark differences in their lives both economically and culturally. It truly felt like two totally separate stories could have been told about each woman were it not for the connecting factor. I also appreciated that the author addressed the racism that the child experiences – particularly given that she does not look like her adopted parents. I felt it humanized (and humbled) Rebecca that in some instances she could get it right in her defence of her daughter while other times she may freeze up, not knowing how to respond to an unfamiliar situation she’s never had to experience herself before. With Rebecca, I could feel the conflicting pull of two sides: The genuine and the performative.
Of course, I have also heard of China’s controversial One Child policy before but perhaps never truly considered what that looked like for families other than that sons are the favoured ones. I appreciated the way that it was framed within this story to illustrate some of the repercussions it could have had – and likely did, more than we even realized. Shockingly, this policy only ended relatively recently (just 8 years ago at the time of this review!). For me, that puts the novel in a bit of a different light, since there were moments of this that felt like it took place a long time ago but then the characters would mention their cell phones, which set the story in more of a (sobering) modern day.
While The Leftover Woman has strong themes of motherhood and the lengths parents would go to protect their child, this book wasn’t “just” a family drama either. There were elements of organized crime, romance and scandal as well. As the story progresses, the lives of these two women intersect in a shocking yet satisfying way. Even in the few moments where I called what was going to happen, I still found it a gratifying way the narrative played out. I’m definitely a new fan of Jean Kwok’s writing now and look forward to reading her other books. Great for fans of Celeste Ng and Nancy Jooyoun Kim!
Thank you to Harper Collins for the review copy!
Wow – this was such a compelling read. The chapters switching POVs between Jasmine and Rebecca really highlighted the stark differences in their lives both economically and culturally. It truly felt like two totally separate stories could have been told about each woman were it not for the connecting factor. I also appreciated that the author addressed the racism that the child experiences – particularly given that she does not look like her adopted parents. I felt it humanized (and humbled) Rebecca that in some instances she could get it right in her defence of her daughter while other times she may freeze up, not knowing how to respond to an unfamiliar situation she’s never had to experience herself before. With Rebecca, I could feel the conflicting pull of two sides: The genuine and the performative.
Of course, I have also heard of China’s controversial One Child policy before but perhaps never truly considered what that looked like for families other than that sons are the favoured ones. I appreciated the way that it was framed within this story to illustrate some of the repercussions it could have had – and likely did, more than we even realized. Shockingly, this policy only ended relatively recently (just 8 years ago at the time of this review!). For me, that puts the novel in a bit of a different light, since there were moments of this that felt like it took place a long time ago but then the characters would mention their cell phones, which set the story in more of a (sobering) modern day.
While The Leftover Woman has strong themes of motherhood and the lengths parents would go to protect their child, this book wasn’t “just” a family drama either. There were elements of organized crime, romance and scandal as well. As the story progresses, the lives of these two women intersect in a shocking yet satisfying way. Even in the few moments where I called what was going to happen, I still found it a gratifying way the narrative played out. I’m definitely a new fan of Jean Kwok’s writing now and look forward to reading her other books. Great for fans of Celeste Ng and Nancy Jooyoun Kim!
Thank you to Harper Collins for the review copy!
This is the last book I read in January. Day 7 into February and haven’t finished a book yet but I’m reading three books at the same time, three different genres - The Berry Pickers, Project Hail Mary and The Rip.
I was so interested with the book and I’ve been seeing this around, though I haven’t read her other books.
Jasmine Yang is on a haunt for her daughter who is taken away from her since birth. She arrives in New York City, coming from a small village in China, fleeing her husband, with no means of support. She will go to any length to find and get her daughter back. While publishing executive, Rebecca Whitney seems to have a good life, a flourishing career, a wealth that comes with her name, a beautiful house, a handsome husband, an adoptive Chinese daughter she adores. Her world starts to crumble when a scandal threatens to destroy her work, her marriage and family. Jasmine and Whitney find themselves in a treacherous path with only the love of a child keeping them together.
When I started the book, I find it interesting. I like the premise of the story on motherhood and family, finding one’s identity and belongingness. I’m rooting for Jasmine, I feel for her situation., the sacrifices and hardships as a mother and as an immigrant, running away from her abusive husband, searching for a child that was taken away from her. As for Rebecca, I don’t like her character from the start. I can’t feel her honesty and true intentions. It seems everything is for show. Though I like the intricacies and challenges her work in publishing world shows, I lean more on Jasmine’s story. As with two POVs, I tend to lean on one better than the other.
As the story progresses, I kind of guess the twist in the story. It didn’t surprise me there as I was kind of expecting it. The ending is off for me, cringey at the very least. There’s an internal alarm going out of the head, saying “no, no, no you don’t do that.” It just didn’t sit well wth me but others might love or applaud the act. Then again, maybe it’s just me.
If you read this, let me know you’re thoughts.
I was so interested with the book and I’ve been seeing this around, though I haven’t read her other books.
Jasmine Yang is on a haunt for her daughter who is taken away from her since birth. She arrives in New York City, coming from a small village in China, fleeing her husband, with no means of support. She will go to any length to find and get her daughter back. While publishing executive, Rebecca Whitney seems to have a good life, a flourishing career, a wealth that comes with her name, a beautiful house, a handsome husband, an adoptive Chinese daughter she adores. Her world starts to crumble when a scandal threatens to destroy her work, her marriage and family. Jasmine and Whitney find themselves in a treacherous path with only the love of a child keeping them together.
When I started the book, I find it interesting. I like the premise of the story on motherhood and family, finding one’s identity and belongingness. I’m rooting for Jasmine, I feel for her situation., the sacrifices and hardships as a mother and as an immigrant, running away from her abusive husband, searching for a child that was taken away from her. As for Rebecca, I don’t like her character from the start. I can’t feel her honesty and true intentions. It seems everything is for show. Though I like the intricacies and challenges her work in publishing world shows, I lean more on Jasmine’s story. As with two POVs, I tend to lean on one better than the other.
As the story progresses, I kind of guess the twist in the story. It didn’t surprise me there as I was kind of expecting it. The ending is off for me, cringey at the very least. There’s an internal alarm going out of the head, saying “no, no, no you don’t do that.” It just didn’t sit well wth me but others might love or applaud the act. Then again, maybe it’s just me.
If you read this, let me know you’re thoughts.
medium-paced
I couldn't get into this book. DNF.
Not sure why, because I liked Kwok's other work I have read, but this one.... meh
Not sure why, because I liked Kwok's other work I have read, but this one.... meh
3.5/5 - really struggled to get into this one but did love imagining the character Rebecca from Ted Lasso as this Rebecca. The back half flew by!
4.5 Stars!
For fans of "Little Fires Everywhere", "The Leftover Woman" tells the story of two women whose lives are entangled by fate. Labeled as a Mystery Thriller, "The Leftover Women" was one of my Most Anticipated Reads for 2023 (I finally got off the Libby Waitlist); however, there is hardly any mystery and very limited thrills.
For those seasoned to the genre, the twist is easy to figure out if you know the correct clues. However, the story is rich in detail which allows forgiveness for its shortcomings. I am especially grateful that an epilogue was included.
For fans of "Little Fires Everywhere", "The Leftover Woman" tells the story of two women whose lives are entangled by fate. Labeled as a Mystery Thriller, "The Leftover Women" was one of my Most Anticipated Reads for 2023 (I finally got off the Libby Waitlist); however, there is hardly any mystery and very limited thrills.
For those seasoned to the genre, the twist is easy to figure out if you know the correct clues. However, the story is rich in detail which allows forgiveness for its shortcomings. I am especially grateful that an epilogue was included.