River East, River West

Set against the backdrop of modern China, this compelling debut weaves together the stories of two generations—Alva, a teenager in Shanghai yearning for a better life, and Lu Fang, a man in Qingdao navigating life's upheavals amid China's opening to the world. Through alternating perspectives, the novel explores themes of cultural identity, class, and belonging, offering a nuanced view of China's rapid transformation and its impact on individuals' dreams and realities. An intimate family and social drama, it provides a thought-provoking look at the complex narratives of immigration and opportunity.