The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok (Serpent's Tail / Viper)

In China, Jasmine faces societal discrimination and the pressure to marry at a young age due to her gender and differences. Unfortunately, her husband is abusive and possessive, leading her to believe that all men are the same. Prior to giving birth, arrangements were made for adoption if the baby turned out to be a girl, leaving Jasmine to believe her child was dead.

Ultimately, an affluent couple, Brandon and Rebecca, adopted the baby, raising her in New York City. Upon learning this, Jasmine becomes determined to reunite with her daughter, regardless of the sacrifices she must make. Mistakenly, she believes that her appearance is the only thing that matters, neglecting opportunities for personal growth such as art, English, or cooking lessons. However, what she fails to realize is that she is the one incapable of love. 

In China, Jasmine had seen posters warning against being labeled as a "leftover woman," someone unwanted and discarded like uneaten food. Eventually, she realizes that she has become one of these leftover women, stripped of her identity and desires. 

The novel explores the intricate dynamics between Jasmine and her daughter Fiona, where the bond of love knows no boundaries, regardless of biological ties. Rebecca, on the other hand, harbors resentment towards Jasmine/Lucy, feeling replaced by the affection of her own daughter. This resentment gnaws at her like a worm, leaving her feeling like a stranger in her own home. Surprisingly, it is easy for Rebecca to ignore Lucy, never truly seeing her. Although Rebecca may believe she is aware of her privilege, she is blind to the reality. To Rebecca, Lucy is an outsider, stumbling over words and appearing unintelligent in English. However, she fails to recognize the depth of Lucy's understanding and connection in her native language, and that her appearance is simply a reflection of Rebecca's own expectations.

On a basic level, there are numerous ways to approach such an intricate and multi-faceted novel.

Personally, I found it to be an engrossing page-turner, delving into the life of a Chinese woman in the United States and the hidden secret she carries. From my perspective, it serves as an exploration of how both women and immigrants are compelled to adopt various personas and roles. The concept of revealing only a fraction of oneself in a new culture, while concealing the rest like the submerged part of an iceberg, particularly resonated with me. 

Within its intricately woven narrative, the novel delves into themes of ambition, displacement, adoption, motherhood, identity, romantic love, and race, encompassing both specificities and universality.

The strength of the novel lies in its beautiful prose, well-crafted characters, and a relatable story that sheds light on the enduring differences between men and women, both within the familial and professional realms. 

It effectively captures the essence of the ongoing national conversation. Commencing as a quest for a lost child, it ultimately culminates in tragedy, yet still instills hope in the enduring power of love.

4/5