What We Were Promised

After years in America, the Zhen family returns to Shanghai, taking up residence in a luxurious serviced apartment complex. Wei, Lina, and their daughter Karen must readjust to life in China while navigating their roles in a rapidly modernizing society. The family's lives intersect with Sunny, their newly hired housekeeper who comes from a rural village. When Wei's long-lost brother Qiang reappears after decades of absence, the household's careful routines are disrupted, bringing buried tensions to the surface. The story moves between past and present, exploring questions of duty, desire, and sacrifice in contemporary China. Through multiple perspectives, the novel examines class dynamics, cultural identity, and the price of ambition in a changing world.

Readers note the book provides an intimate look at modern Shanghai and class dynamics through the lens of a wealthy Chinese family and their ayi (housekeeper). Many appreciate Tan's portrayal of characters caught between traditional values and contemporary life. Liked: - Detailed descriptions of Shanghai life and culture - Complex family relationships and character development - Exploration of wealth, privilege, and social class - The ayi Sunny's perspective and storyline Disliked: - Slow pacing, especially in first half - Some found the plot too understated - Several readers wanted more resolution to certain storylines - Characters sometimes felt distant or hard to connect with Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) One reader called it "a nuanced look at modern China's growing pains." Another noted it was "beautifully written but moves at a glacial pace." Several praised the "atmospheric details" while wanting "more emotional depth from the main characters."

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee This multi-generational saga follows a Korean family's immigration to Japan, exploring themes of identity, sacrifice, and cultural displacement in ways that parallel the Wei family's story in Shanghai.

The Leavers by Lisa Ko The tale of a Chinese immigrant mother and her American-raised son illuminates the complexities of family obligations and cultural expectations across borders.

Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li A family-owned Chinese restaurant becomes the backdrop for examining class divisions, family dynamics, and the immigrant experience in America.

Little Gods by Meng Jin A daughter's return to China to uncover her mother's past mirrors the themes of homecoming and family secrets central to Tan's work.

Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu Through the lens of a Chinese American actor's experiences, this novel examines identity, belonging, and the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures in contemporary society.

🌟 Lucy Tan wrote this debut novel while pursuing her MFA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, drawing from her experiences living and working in Shanghai. 🏙️ The story takes place in 2010 Shanghai during a pivotal time when many Western-educated Chinese professionals were returning home, a phenomenon known as "sea turtles returning to the shore." 📚 The author spent several years working in Shanghai's luxury hospitality industry, which directly influenced her portrayal of the novel's setting in a high-end service apartment complex. 🎭 The book explores the complex dynamics between different social classes in modern China, particularly through the relationship between wealthy residents and their domestic staff. 🌏 The novel was inspired by Tan's own family history—her parents left China for America in the 1980s, similar to the reverse migration pattern explored in the book when characters return to China from America.