River East River West By Aube Rey Lescure - Review - Women's Prize Shortlist

A review of River East , River West By Aube Rey Lescure. Women's Prize Shortlist.
Shanghai, 2007: Fourteen-year-old Alva has always longed for more. Raised by her American expat mother, she’s never known her Chinese father, and she is certain a better life awaits them in America. But when her mother announces her engagement to their wealthy Chinese landlord, Lu Fang, Alva’s hopes are dashed. She plots for the next best thing: the American School in Shanghai. Upon admission, though, Alva is surprised to discover an institution run by an exclusive community of expats and the ever-wilder thrills of a city where foreigners can ostensibly act as they please.
1985: In the seaside city of Qingdao, Lu Fang is a young married man and a lowly clerk in a shipping yard. Although he once dreamed of a bright future, he is now one of many casualties in his country’s harsh political reforms. So when China opens its doors to the first wave of foreigners in decades, Lu Fang’s world is split wide open after he meets an American woman who makes him confront difficult questions about his current status in life and how much will ever be enough.
In a stunning reversal of the east-to-west immigrant narrative and set against China’s political history and economic rise, River East, River West is an intimate family drama and a sharp social novel. Alternating between Alva and Lu Fang’s points of view, this is a profoundly moving exploration of race and class, cultural identity and belonging, and the often-false promise of the American Dream.

[@FlLixZ]

you deserve more clicks

[@rororeads]

Cheers!

[@andreluissoriano]

Please don’t change the format of your reviews. It’s just right.

[@TKTalksBooks]

You are one of my few trusted reviewers, Andy. You give each read a fair chance and your delivery is spot on. The level of depth of exploration is also right on the mark.
(As a bonus, you are very very funny)
I have not been inclined to pick this one up. I think I’ll stick with that inclination.
Thx Andy .. Cheers … TK

[@rororeads]

Thank you! x

[@Book_Hugger]

I loved this review and appreciated your honesty. I am in chapter 12 and stopped to come see what the book tube reviews have been before I keep on going. Just at 12 chapters, I concur with all of your thoughts! I hate both Sloan and Alva right now and was wondering if something interesting in coming of age (which I typically do not like) is ahead. Now I know that I can DNF and move on. Thank you!

[@kmaggs7804]

Great review had me giggling.

[@ameliabarlowbooks]

I really loved this book for all it had to offer but you’re so right, the characters were bloody awful 💀