Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee; a girl with her mother's bright blue eyes and her father's jet-black hair. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But Lydia is under pressures that have nothing to do with growing up in 1970s small town Ohio. Her father is an American born of Chinese immigrants, and his ethnicity, and hers, make them conspicuous. When Lydia's body is found in a lake, James is consumed by guilt and sets out on a reckless path. Marilyn, devastated and vengeful, is determined to make someone accountable. Lydia's brother, Nathan, is convinced that local bad boy Jack is involved. But it's the youngest in the family - Hannah - who may be the only one who knows what really happened. “There is much here that might impress Pulitzer and Man Booker judges.” Mark Lawson, Guardian
© 2015 W. F. Howes Ltd (Audiobook): 9781510004184
Release date
Audiobook: 28 May 2015
Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee; a girl with her mother's bright blue eyes and her father's jet-black hair. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But Lydia is under pressures that have nothing to do with growing up in 1970s small town Ohio. Her father is an American born of Chinese immigrants, and his ethnicity, and hers, make them conspicuous. When Lydia's body is found in a lake, James is consumed by guilt and sets out on a reckless path. Marilyn, devastated and vengeful, is determined to make someone accountable. Lydia's brother, Nathan, is convinced that local bad boy Jack is involved. But it's the youngest in the family - Hannah - who may be the only one who knows what really happened. “There is much here that might impress Pulitzer and Man Booker judges.” Mark Lawson, Guardian
© 2015 W. F. Howes Ltd (Audiobook): 9781510004184
Release date
Audiobook: 28 May 2015
Step into an infinite world of stories
Overall rating based on 993 ratings
Sad
Thought-provoking
Page-turner
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Moumita
15 Aug 2021
Such an incredible incredible book!!
Nowfal
4 Jul 2021
It was a very good novel. Based on the day to day life problems and situations that humans handle. It was really an emotional book talking about several sensitive topics.
Aanchal
27 Feb 2022
Started well, but became tired of the story! Boring.
Labster
8 Jun 2022
Generational burden and expectations carried from one parent to another, each feeling they are doing the best for their children, their decisions will keep their children happy but our world is a stark truth that no matter what we do, children will have trauma - out of their parents'love or ignorance. The book touches deep on this thought and it's massively relatable. If only the ending wasn't so neatly tidied up, the author/editor really wanted a happy ending which spoils the real meaning behind this story.
Shiv
20 Aug 2022
Celeste Ng’s writing is gorgeous and I loved Little Fires Everywhere but this wasn’t it. I was quite underwhelmed by this experience. Poor character development and lacks nuance.
English
India