Chinatown, 1933. In a struggling, immigrant family, three young children strive to make sense of their lives. Raised in the customs of the old world, they must somehow find their place in the new. Told she is a useless girl, only sister dreams of becoming Shirley Temple and escaping the rigid old ways. Adopted second brother struggles to overcome prejudice and loss. For him, boyhood is a time of hidden emotions and bewildering new feelings. But it is sickly younger brother who surprises them all. Witness to things he cannot understand, he teaches his family how to mourn and how to go on living. In this exquisitely told, award-winning novel, Wayson Choy brings to life three unforgettable characters and the beloved grandmother who shapes their lives.
'Childhood lessons are quietly, powerfully drawn. Nothing short of masterful.'
Kirkus Review
'An exquisite novel...The craftsmanship is glorious'
The Globe and Mail
