A narrative of immigrant and intergenerational theme that was told from 3 perspectives—Tony; a Chinese-born engineer turned Manhattan doorman immigrant who craves for a better life to give his family, his daughter Tammy and Oliver; a successful lawyer with a dark family secret who lives in the building where Tony works.

Riveting and quite evocatively written, I love the author’s absorbing way in narrating and crafting her plot and prose. Intense and twisty with intriguing subplots on love and longing, one’s identity, classism, privilege and culture as well a tragic tale of hope and ambitious greed that were crafted through a moving portrait of family conflict and drama.

Love the back and forth timelines (although it can be confusing too at times) that intricately observed and explored each perspective and backstories; Tony and his American dream, the angst of Tammy to grow up having to meet her parents’ expectations and Oliver’s contrast narrative; of how Tony thinks to have money is everything but for Oliver, money was a ‘burden’ and a root to his unhappiness.

That few last chapters were a bit rushed to me but I still fancy the enthralling dynamics from both of its plot and characters. An unforeseen motivation for Tony (I was as perplexed as his wife, honestly) and how destiny intertwined their ending with great moral and unexpected tragedy and grief.

“He just wanted something more, something that he couldn’t quite articulate, and it wasn’t for one reason, but it was for every reason.”

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a proof copy to review!