A review by serendipitysbooks
The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 The Leftover Woman is the story of two mothers - a birth mother who was told her child had died and an adopted mother who had no idea her child’s adoption was anything less than legitimate - and the daughter they unknowingly share. It also traverses China’s one child policy, abusive relationships, the plight of undocumented workers, organised crime, wealth, class, and a publishing industry scandal. With the exception of the high stakes action-packed ending I found the plot fairly predictable - and I probably should have seen that, or some variant of it, coming. It saddened me that the “best” option for the child was considered to be the wealthiest option. I understand and appreciate the need for stability and security, and the link between financial resources and quality of life and opportunities. Yet children need so much more than money, and money does not necessarily equate to a child’s best interests. While this story was poignant in places and did leave me with something to think about, overall its beats felt a little too obvious, sometimes cliched and overly dramatic, to be fully satisfying. 
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