GREAT READS

The Love Wife: A Novel

by Gish Jen.

I just finished listening to "The Love Wife" by Gish Jen. I have approximately a half-hour ride to and from work and find it helps me relax to listen to a book while driving.

The "Love Wife" was great. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was fantastic. The story centers around the Wong family. The father, Chinese-American Carnegie Wong, is an IT professional who married a blond American named Jane. Together, they have 2 adopted Asian daughters (Wendy and Lizzie) and 1 biological son (Bailey).

Carnegie's mother is Chinese and very outspoken. Mrs. Wong escaped mainland China by hugging 2 basketballs and floating to Japan where a cousin took her in. From there Mrs. Wong made it to America and lived the American dream of working, saving, and investing in real estate. Mama Wong begins a campaign to have her son marry a good Chinese girl. When Carnegie shows no interest and instead marries Jane, Mama Wong figures a love wife who is Chinese is the next best option. In her death bequest she stipulates that Carnegie bring Lan from China to America. Thus the plot thickens and the whole family becomes involved.

There is a surprise ending that I never heard coming.

Recommended by Linda Krauss