I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Leftover Woman: A Novel by Jean Kwok Published by HarperCollins, William Morrow on October 10, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Women
Pages: 286
Format: ARC
Source: Edelweiss
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee and Girl in Translation, an evocative family drama and a riveting mystery about the ferocious pull of motherhood for two very different women.
Jasmine Yang arrives in New York City from her rural Chinese village without money or family support, fleeing a controlling husband, on a desperate search for the daughter who was taken from her at birth—another female casualty of China’s controversial one-child policy. But with her husband on her trail, the clock is ticking, and she’s forced to make increasingly risky decisions if she ever hopes to be reunited with her daughter.
Meanwhile, publishing executive Rebecca Whitney seems to have it all: a prestigious family name and the wealth that comes with it, a high-powered career, a beautiful home, a handsome husband, and an adopted Chinese daughter she adores. She’s even hired a nanny to help her balance the demands of being a working wife and mother. But when an industry scandal threatens to jeopardize not only Rebecca’s job but her marriage, this perfect world begins to crumble and her role in her own family is called into question.
The Leftover Woman finds these two unforgettable women on a shocking collision course. Twisting, suspenseful, and surprisingly poignant, it is a profound exploration of identity and belonging, motherhood and family. It is a story of two women in a divided city— separated by severe economic and cultural differences yet bound by a deep emotional connection to a child.
Review
Jean Kwok’s latest novel grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. In the maze of New York City’s streets, two women’s lives collide in ways that will leave you questioning everything you think you know about motherhood and sacrifice.
Meet Jasmine Yang, who fled an abusive marriage in rural China with a singular mission: finding the daughter who was stolen from her at birth under China’s One Child Policy. She’s undocumented, alone, and armed with nothing but raw determination. Then there’s Rebecca, a successful book editor living in Manhattan who has adopted Jasmine’s daughter, Fiona. While their worlds couldn’t be more different, their emotional journeys mirror each other in unexpected ways.
Kwok masterfully weaves together these parallel stories, exploring the depths of maternal love and the invisible threads that connect us across cultural divides. The novel tackles weighty themes – immigration, privilege, female resilience – without ever feeling preachy. Through Jasmine’s eyes, we experience the gut-wrenching reality of being undocumented in America, while Rebecca’s story forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about adoption and cultural identity.
The writing crackles with tension, making this book nearly impossible to put down. Kwok has always had a gift for creating characters that feel like people you might know, and here she’s at her best. You’ll find yourself holding your breath as Jasmine navigates the city’s shadows, and your heart will ache as Rebecca grapples with her own moral dilemmas.
Sure, some plot turns feel familiar if you’re a regular reader of domestic dramas, and occasionally the emotional stakes are pushed to soap-opera heights. But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a powerful exploration of motherhood, identity, and the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love.
If you’re looking for a story that will keep you up late turning pages while also making you think deeply about privilege, family, and belonging, The Leftover Woman delivers on all fronts. Just keep a box of tissues handy – you’re going to need them.
