Coming May 1, 2023 — A daughter discovers the dramatic history that shaped her mother’s secret life in an emotional and immersive novel by Zhang Ling, the bestselling author of A Single Swallow.
“This emotional and heartbreaking novel is a tale of courage, survival, and human resilience in the face of war and repression. Ling’s emotional story of a mother-daughter relationship will appeal to readers of Amy Tan, Xinran, and Jung Chung. ”—Booklist
“WHERE WATERS MEET brings us back to the turbulent decades in China where people fought one war after another, suffered famine, and endured political persecutions. However, instead of focusing on misery, Zhang Ling introduces us to those who defy their fates. They are brave enough to try sneaking across the border, determined enough to adopt a foreign tongue, and kind enough to care for their families no matter what. A true masterpiece filled with idiosyncratic yet admirable characters, suspenseful mystery, historical complexity, and ironic humor.” —Jianan Qian, O. Henry Prize winner and staff writer at The Millions
“I love this novel. It is an intriguing and moving story of a Chinese family who have survived terrible wartime sufferings. It reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit. —Xinran, author of The Good Women of China and The Promise
There was rarely a time when Phoenix Yuan-Whyller’s mother, Rain, didn’t live with her. Even when Phoenix got married, Rain, who followed her from China to Toronto, came to share Phoenix’s life. Now at the age of eighty-three, Rain’s unexpected death ushers in a heartrending separation. Struggling with the loss, Phoenix comes across her mother’s suitcase—a memory box Rain had brought from home. Inside, Phoenix finds two old photographs and a decorative bottle holding a crystallized powder. Her auntie Mei tells her these missing pieces of her mother’s early life can only be explained when they meet, and so, clutching her mother’s ashes, Phoenix boards a plane for China. What at first seems like a daughter’s quest to uncover a mother’s secrets becomes a startling journey of self-discovery.
Told across decades and continents, Zhang Ling’s exquisite novel is a tale of extraordinary courage and survival. It illuminates the resilience of humanity, the brutalities of life, the secrets we keep and those we share, and the driving forces it takes to survive.
We have lined up a group of highly regarded bloggers who will share features, post reviews and offer giveaways throughout the month May:
Monday, May 1 – NURSE BOOKIE
Tuesday, May 2 – PURRFECT PAGES
Wednesday, May 3 – SUE THE BOOKIE
Thursday, May 4 – LILACS AND LITERATURE
Friday, May 5 – READING WITH NICOLE
Monday, May 8 – BOOKS AND COFFEE MX
Tuesday, May 9 – WHAT IS THAT BOOK ABOUT
Wednesday, May 10 – AIMEE DARS READS
Thursday. May 11 – TOTAHLY BOOKED
Friday, May 12 – MOMMA LEIGHELLEN’S BOOK NOOK
Saturday, May 13 – READING WITH MELANN ROSENTHAL
Monday, May 15 – BOOKOHOLIC CAFE
Tuesday, May 16 – THE MADDIE HATTER
Wednesday, May 17 – DAI 2 DAI READER
Thursday, May 18 – DANISH MUSTARD READS
Friday, May 19 – SUBAKKA BOOKSTUFF
Sunday, May 21 – ARMED WITH A BOOK
Monday, May 22 – WE LOVE BIG BOOKS AND WE CANNOT LIE
Tuesday, May 23 – LITERARY QUICKSAND
Wednesday, May 24 – THE BOOK CLUB MOM
Thursday, May 25 – TINA MAY READS
Friday, May 26 – GLORIANA WONG
Monday, May 29 – LEXIJAVA
Tuesday, May 30 – SUZY APPROVED BOOK REVIEWS
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