Loved this book! Having lived in China for two years and experiencing the cultural differences, this author was spot on! Told from two perspectives during two different timeframes, the character development is spectacular. The relationship between mother and daughter that is explored is fraught with every emotion and gave me all the feels. Highly recommend!

Straddling the divide between East and West is fourteen year old Alva. She lives in Shanghai with her American mother, Sloan.
All Alva wants to do is go to school in America. When Sloan marries their landlord Lu Fang it seems that’s the end of her dreams.
As the story progresses Alva finds there is more similarities between Lu Fang and herself than she thought.
A coming of age story for Ava, a tale of dreams lost and stoic survival moving towards the promise of the unknown for Lu Fang.
Sad and thought provoking.

A William Morrow ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

This is a coming of age and immigrant story. Two timelines are intertwined. Alva's life with her single mother, the second with a stepfather. Alva's mother was a want to be actress who ran to Shanghai. Alva is trying to find her place being white and Chinese. I enjoyed the story. Everyone was trying to find where they belong.

Alva’s is so lost. My heart hurt for this character. She is sad, lost, and lonely.
Her mother is a drunk, or at least that is what we are told. Her stepfather is a rich businessman who I don’t understand.

I am so torn with this read. I had such high hopes for this book because I have heard so many good things about it. But sadly, it just feel short for me.

This debut novel was such a strong start to my 2024 reading year! Its title a reference to the two parts of Shanghai separated by the Huangpu River, RIVER EAST, RIVER WEST is an exploration of divisions and barriers—what we have and what we want, the lifestyles of 'locals' and expats, and the lines carved into our lives by history.

In Shanghai, 2007, fourteen-year-old Alva’s life changes after her often-struggling American mother, Sloan, marries a wealthy Chinese man, Lu Fang. Setting her sights on attending an international school, Alva ventures into the lifestyle of expats and finds a jarring disconnect. Her chapters are permeated with her alienation, loneliness, and fury. I admired her boldness and felt heartbroken for her naivety.

In alternating sections of the book, Lu Fang’s story begins in 1985, revealing that his relationship with Sloan isn’t as simple as Alva assumes it is. A top student and the pride of his hometown, Lu Fang’s promising future was supposed to begin with university in Beijing, but his time there is cut short by the Cultural Revolution. Sent to Chuanxi for rural reeducation, his life takes a different direction, his dream of studying abroad curdling into regret for the life he could’ve had. Although he felt more distant, I came to understand how he became the Lu Fang we see through Alva’s eyes in 2007.

Aube Rey Lescure's absorbing debut offered a perspective I hadn't previously encountered in fiction, and it left me ruminating for weeks afterwards.

The story opens with Alva, who is half-Chinese, watching her white mother, Sloan, marry a Chinese man, Lu Fang, 20 years her senior. It is told from Alva's viewpoint and Lu Fang's. The time line is from the 80's up to 2014 or so. There aren't a lot of characters so that wasn't the issue. They were pretty well defined and Shanghai was well described. My own issue is trying to keep track of foreign names and in addition this author threw in Chinese, not just the language but the characters. The writing was fine and that is what kept me going but I really, really disliked all three of the main characters and hoped for a redemption by the end but truly I didn't care.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital copy.

I loved the reverse migration aspect of this book. I just didn't like the characters. I can handle one unlikeable character, but the three main characters which just too difficult for me.

really impressive, deep story regarding a family and history, as well as around idenetity and how that's affected by location. thanks for the arc.

River East, River West is not your typical coming-of-age story. Alva is the child of an expatriate and a Chinese National (whose identity is never revealed). Like many teenagers, she is seduced by the cool American Life that has always felt just out of reach and loses herself in her pursuit of the American Dream. Lu Fang is Alva's recently acquired step-father who has the financial means to help Alva achieve what she wants, but who is also haunted by lost dreams and regret.

Told in alternating narratives and timelines , we follow Alva's present while exploring Lu Fang's past and grapple with the universal questions of belonging, family, and the things we trade away in pursuit of our dreams. At times heartbreaking, and difficult, I appreciated this multi-cultural twist on a popular narrative. River East, River West had me researching Chinese history and seeing the world through a new and different lens. Every year, I try to read more books written from cultural points of view that are not my own. This book did not disappoint.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for my eARC. All opinions are solely my own.

I devoured this one in about 6 hours and I can't stop thinking about it.

We're following Lu Fang and Alva in dual timelines, Lu Fang in 1985 and Alva in 2007. Lu Fang is a married Chinese man who starts to question his life when he becomes involved with an American woman. Alva is a Chinese-American teenager who wants more and feels like she'll get that in America, but when she has to stay in China because her mom marries Lu Fang, she decides American-school is the next best thing and soon discovers things aren't always as they seem.

I loved the multiple POV and timelines, as I often do. I liked that the stories ended up intertwining. I thought this was an interesting approach to exploring identity and belonging. There is talk throughout of standing out and being an outsider, and a lot of "grass is greener..." ideology. Reading this actually made me kind of sad because of the turmoil/anguish the characters seemed to feel about their own situation and the way characters are always reaching for something else because they think there's better out there (ie. America).

It's hard to write this review without adding spoilers but I do highly recommend this one. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this one but I really enjoyed it.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure. Alva is a teenager in China, her mother is an American and her father (who she never met) is Chinese. They live a tough life until her mother marries their landlord, and then life gets easier, although Alva does not like him. Lu Fang is the landlord now husband. The story goes back and forth between Alva’s teenage life, and Lu Fang’s teenage and early adult life. They both struggle and have a hard time fitting in. There is a lot about China in the early 2000’s as well as the 1980’s. Interesting story, but I found it kind of dark and depressing. #rivereastriverwest #aubereylescure #debut novel #china #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

RIVER EAST, RIVER WEST by Aube Rey Lescure is a debut novel which received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. The basic storyline involves Alva, a 14-year-old mixed-race teen in 2007 Shanghai; her new step-father and disgruntled, almost retired businessman, Lu Fang; and the mother/wife, Sloan, who is a former minor American movie star. Each character has an interesting back story (Lu Fang and Sloane have been lovers since the mid-1980s), but their goals don't mesh well and it may be difficult for readers to look beyond the self-centeredness that each exhibits: Alva acts out and LuFang, with some justification, still mourns the lost opportunities due to the Cultural Revolution. Everyone is unhappy; Booklist calls them "prisoners of their circumstances" while a minor character comments, "Learning to be content – that is wealth in itself." Rey Lescure, a French-Chinese-American writer who grew up in China and France, makes several barbed references and thus introduces some political commentary, but the text moves slowly overall.

Told from the contrasting perspectives of a teenage girl in Shanghai in the later aughts, and her stepfather as a younger man, River East River West is an intimate picture of life in China in the years following the death of Chairman Mao, and leading up to the economic crash of the Western world.

Lescure's representation of China during both time periods feels detailed and well-researched. The unique sense of loss (of autonomy, of aspirations) as experienced by both narrators was a beautiful thread running throughout the whole story; the way the two voices came together at the end both unexpected and uplifting.

There are so many beautiful quotes and reflections I'd like to share when I can compare to a final copy, but for now I'll say that I think this would be a good fit for readers of Behold the Dreamers (Mbue) or Dominicana (Cruz).

Thank you to William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for letting me read an advanced copy of River East, River West by debut novelist Aube Rey Lescure. I loved this duel timeline story set in 1980s and early 21st century China! It alternates between the lives of teenage Alva in 2007/2008 and her mother's new husband (Lu Fang) as a young man in the 1980s. Both narratives are strong, but I may have enjoyed reading Lu Fang's story a bit more only because of the historical aspect. It takes place after China's Cultural Revolution which I didn't know much about and I always enjoy learning a bit of history through fiction.

This wasn't always an easy read. I had mixed feelings about some characters but it was satisfying to see their growth throughout the book. I came to care for and want the best for each of them. There are a few scenes that are hard to stomach so if there are areas you try to avoid in your reading, I'd recommend looking into content warnings for this book.

I'm already looking forward to reading what Lescure writes next!

Three and a half stars...

Having lived in Asia more than once I was looking forward to reading this book. The author did a lovely job setting the scene, detailing the culture and gave a unique twist on the usual immigrant story. The main focus is a coming of age story of Alva. She is half American and half Chinese though her father is unknown. Set in modern-day Shanghai the book takes a look at the continued repercussions of previous historical events in China.

Alva is searching for her place in the world and feels strongly that she wants to be American. Her upbringing has been fraught dealing with a mother who abuses alcohol and whose parenting leaves much to be desired. Their lives change for the better when her mother marries a wealthy Chinese business man. Alva sees his wealth as a way to achieve her goal to become fully American by attending the prestigious Shanghai American School.

The characters are well developed but are very damaged. The book is a very sad story and one that kept me thinking about after finishing it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the e galley prior to publication.

Lots of feelings of depression, sadness and melancholy in this story. It's long, but flowing and emotional in the writing. This book is about dreaming and wishing for more than you have, but it's not ambition, it comes across as jealousy and entitlement. I found the book sad and depressing, but there are life lessons. Alva and her mother always want more, but feel entitled to a better life without realizing how to work for it to earn their lifestyle, always trying to take a short cut to the good life. Finally with the entrance and tenacity of Lu Fang, the stepfather, they realize there is hope and can move ahead, but it will take work. Lu Fang has dreams and desires of his own that holds him back in early life, but he comes to the conclusion earliest about what he lost, and his persistence forms a family and gives the other women hope and ambition.

Parts of this book got really long and drawn out, it wasn't a happy read, but I can see this being on lists for book clubs and discussions. Not my favorite book, but gives you lots to think about.

A heartbreaking story of Alva, a half-Chinese half-white teenager growing up in Shanghai with her American mother. Alva feels like an outsider among her Chinese classmates and longs to go to the United States. Her mother, recently married and struggling with a drinking problem, has her own secrets.

My first book of 2024 is a superb debut novel based in Shanghai China. The story begins with Sloan Collins, an American woman living in Shanghai, getting married to Lu Fang, a self-made successful Chinese business with a thriving import-export business. Sloan's 14-year old daughter Alva seems none to happy about the union. The first chapter had all the feels of family-drama women's fiction but don't be fooled by that, the deep stuff is coming. The story alternates between two timelines one starting in 1985 where Lu Fang is an idealistic university student in Mao's China and the other the abovementioned one in 2007.

The novel is a beautiful coming-of-age story as far as Alva is concerned. We then have the fascinating back story of Lu Fang which portrays the evolution of China from Mao's Cultural Revolution onwards to the 21st Century economic revolution. We learn a lot about what it means to grow up in China, the societal norms, the rigors of the Chinese education system and the widespread aspiration to get into a top American University. We also get an insight into the curbs on personal and ideological freedom and the harsh fallout of the political landscape. Also a glimpse into the expat culture in Shanghai. It is truly a profoundly moving exploration of race, class, cultural identity, belonging, the essence of family, and the oft-pursued mirage of the American Dream.

I loved the way the author has gone into a lot of detail yet narrated the story in a very crisp, matter-of-fact manner. One gets the feeling that one is actually living the story, such is the attention paid to everyday life and minutiae. Despite the sufficient level of detailing, at no point is the writing excessive or unnecessary. In fact the book has enough cliffhangers to make it unputdownable. I loved the character development, the way the characters build up and evolve, all in vibrant shades of grey. This is the author's debut novel and I will definitely be on the lookout for more.

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing and Aube Rey Lescure for the ARC.

in "River East, River West", debut author Aube Rey Lescure draws parallels across the traditional Chinese-American immigrant experience to the lesser-known expat/international story.

Told across alternate perspectives and timelines, we first meet 14 year-old Alva, a bi-racial Chinese-American girl who's been raised by her expat mother Sloan in Shanghai. Alva has grown up always feeling like an outsider, and having to clarity about the identity of her biological father hasn't helped matters. In 2007, her mother suddenly announces her marriage to Lu Fang, a Chinese businessman, and Alva is sure it's a marriage only for money and utilizes the new arrangement to get entrance to the Shanghai American School - an international school where she's sure she'll fit in better than the militaristic Chinese schools she was previously taught in.

The second storyline follows Lu Fang in 1985, as a soon-to-be father and clerk in the Qingdao, China. Lu Fang's life has been significantly altered by the Cultural Revolution and the drastic social and political changes from Mao's reign, and he feels unsatisfied with his lackluster career and a marriage that his family pushed him into. However, Lu Fang meets Sloan while she's working as a teacher in China, and their encounter causes him to doubt his current course in life.

As a first gen Chinese-American immigrant myself, I was intrigued by the dual storylines; while many novels I've read focused on the Chinese immigrant experience, I hadn't encountered stories that focused on the reverse. In Alva, Aube Rey Lescure has constructed a frustrated and resentful teenager struggling to find her identity in a society constructed on complex societal and political rules - and also delves into the world of drugs and alcohol for refuge. Lu Fang's perspective also gave context to his relationship with Sloan, and his underlying motivations; while both characters are flawed and make their fair share of mistakes, we're still able to understand their actions and empathize with them.

I enjoyed Lescure's writing throughout as both Alva and Lu Fang's stories had distinct voices and pacing, although I did feel at times that Alva's perspective was far more complex than I would have expected for a 14 year-old. Very much a recommended read for when "River East, River West" is published in January 2024!

I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes the POVs timeline confused me a little bit, but then it started to make sense.

It was refreshing to read a story about expats in China and how their lives were so different than those of Chinese nationals.

I was so endeared to Alva. She led a very confusing life, not knowing where she truly belonged in the world.

Highly recommend this debut novel.