Hop on the Yang family express and get ready for a thrill ride through time! Shanghailanders takes you on a journey that's like a mashup of a soap opera, a mystery novel, and a love story. You'll be time-traveling with the Yang's from 2040 to 2014, and each stop is packed with drama, secrets, and surprises. The writing is so engaging, it's like you're living their lives alongside them. The characters are like your own wacky family, but way more fascinating. Juli Min masterfully weaves their stories together, revealing new layers and twists at every turn.🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you Netgalley and Spiegel & Grau publisher for an ARC 🥰

This book is an ambitious family drama told in reverse, from 2040 back to 2014, and revolving around the globe-trotting Yang family. At times I found the reverse chronology to be challenging, as it almost felt like different short stories and seemed a little disjointed at times. The characters are compelling and interesting enough to keep you invested. This is a book I would recommend to a reader looking for deep, family drama and who enjoys experimental, contemporary fiction. It would also provide a lot of discussion for a book club, due to both the complex plot and the fact that the format could be very polarizing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. The opinions in this review are all my own.

Once I got into this, I couldn't put it down. The characters were relatable, and though we have multiple narrators throughout, I never felt lost. I'm not entirely sure how the story is served by beginning in 2040, though perhaps this is my ignorance of Shanghai (perhaps the characters couldn't have met 20 years before due to economic and political circumstances), but I enjoyed the regressive timeline much more than expected. Definitely one to watch out for!

maybe closer to 3.5

I enjoyed this authors approach to story telling immensely. As you progress through the novel you're actually moving back in time through the main characters lives. At times this did make the narrative a little convoluted and hard to track, but for the most part it was very unique and enjoyable.

I've noticed a few other reviews mention this as well, but were this material to be shaped up into more of a collection of short stories rather than a meandering through narrative, I think that would be highly effective.

I clicked "read now" on this one from an email on accident. It is not one I am interested in at this time

I loved the concept of this book and the potential it had for character exploration but overall the execution fell a little flat for me. I found it quite chaotic in writing style and felt it just lost focus a little bit. It was okay but not as good as I hoped

Starting in the year 2040 and moving backward through time, the Yang family history is told through each individual family member. With three daughters who have grown up and led wildly separate lives, Leo and his wife, Eko, have endured many heartaches that have threatened to tear their family apart. But they have learned that family will always come together and forever be connected.

Such a smooth read from start to finish. Min’s prose is lyrical and simply delectable. Each family member was so lovingly written, and the dialogue throughout was perfection. Every word had its place, and every year promised new and exciting beginnings for the characters.

This was such a wonderful novel. I highly recommend it to readers who love family life or generational dramas. This had a historical feel even though it started in the future.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Min takes the author backwards through decades of the Yang family's lives, interspersing the stories of Leo, Eko, and their three daughters with other characters who have intersected with them. The novel moves across the world, from Shanghai to the East Coast to Paris.

I liked the reverse chronology aspect of the novel; reading the last chapter, which focuses on Leo and Eko, knowing what happens to them and their children was moving. The relationships between the sisters' felt genuinely nuanced in their emotional palette.

I did find, in part due to the shifting perspectives and time gaps, the novel didn't quite feel cohesive; it may have worked better as a collection of interconnected short stories, like "Fiona and Jane." I felt that too many of the chapters sounded the same -- surprising since characters of different ages, genders, and geographic backgrounds serve as narrators. At points, I found myself confused why the author was focusing on side characters, some of whom we only meet in a particular chapter, when there was so much in the Yang family's lives to dive into.

3.5/5! I have such mixed feelings because I found the reverse chronological order very hard to follow, but also so vital for the premise of the book. As a debut, this was a huge risk to take and I think for the most part, it paid off.

The book delved into themes of family, relationships, and marriage, and provided a unique perspective on different cultures and how time impacts various aspects of life. Overall, this was an enjoyable and highly unique book, but I almost wish it was longer because I didn't have enough time to fully connect with any of the characters.

3.5 stars!

A sparkling debut which shows ample potential from Min to create vivid characters with rich internal and external narratives. This novel possesses a unique plot structure as it follows a family of three daughters from 2040 back to 2018, starting at the advent of their adulthood and ending at the wedding of their parents. By tracking back, the reader is effectively filling in the gaps as to what characters are referencing and why their behaviours, opinions and beliefs led to the first chapters iterations of them. Set against the backdrop of the increasing threat of climate change, and yet simultaneously the boom of technology and property in Shanghai, it casts an intriguing forecast for how our behaviours will alter and yet, perhaps most striking, is how slow the threat encroaches and how naturally the characters seem to adapt to its threats.

Ambitious in construction, at times, the novel almost reads best as a collection of short stories built around the same characters as, in moving back, one never finds out what happened next. Indeed, the entire book is preoccupied with discovering how the past informs the present and the future rather than providing clarity or resolution to the opening chapters. You see the foundations of the issues raised in 2040, you grow to empathise more with the behaviours shown, and yet the conclusion is never reached because we only move backwards.

While there are fun threads to pull on, for example why the youngest daughter resents the middle sister for 'Lucy', there are some narratives which feel unnecessary to the family's arc. Indeed, I thoroughly enjoyed the examination of the lives of the family's live-in nanny, and a train worker who was once married to Leo, the patriarch's less successful friend and colleague, and they were a powerful mediation on the class and financial structures in Shanghai, however, they did not feel fully necessary to the overarching narrative of the book.

The most intriguing part of this novel was that of the family dynamics and the individual personalities. The repeated hints at marital discord that spiral out and out as you travel further back in time, and the complex sisterly relationships, were fascinating, however, as you are travelling back in time, while you do get to see some of their formation, many questions are left unanswered or only vaguely hinted at. With that said, this book is incredibly ambitious, both far reaching in its scope and yet incredibly intimate in its exploration of a specific family, and, while I think sometimes it lacks in pay-off, the rich depictions of this family, and the engaging exploration of class, family, and how our pasts inform our present are well worth a read.

I really enjoyed reading this book and pretty much read it in one sitting. It's all the more remarkable for being a debut. This novel takes readers on a journey through the lives of the Lee family, spanning several decades and multiple countries. What sets this novel apart is its unconventional storytelling structure. Beginning in 2040 and working its way backward to 2014, each chapter unveils a piece of the family's intricate history, creating a sense of mystery and that of a story gradually being uncovered. Each chapter focuses on a different character's perspective, offering only partial answers to the questions raised in the previous installment.

Min's skillful characterisation is demonstrated throughout the narrative. She masterfully captures the diverse personalities within and around the Lee family, delving into the depths of the human condition. This ability to bring characters to life is one of the book's greatest strengths, making it an engrossing read.

The family drama that unfolds in reverse is both compelling and tense. As we journey back in time, we uncover the secrets held by Eko, Leo, and their three daughters, gradually piecing together the puzzle of their lives. The writing is engaging and vivid, allowing us to connect deeply with the characters.

I really, really enjoyed it and I'd definitely look to read more from this author in the future.

In the year 2040, wealthy real estate investor Leo Yang, a distinguished Shanghai man, travels back to the city by train after bidding farewell to his family at the airport. His sophisticated Japanese-French wife, Eko, and their two eldest children, Yumi and Yoko, are en route to Boston. However, a revelation from one of the daughters alters their course, redirecting them to Paris. As the narrative unfolds, the timeline retreats to 2039, where Kiko, the youngest daughter and aspiring actress, makes a fateful decision inspired by her icon, Marilyn Monroe. In 2038, Yumi seeks solace from Yoko after a disastrous college dorm situation at Harvard.

Going back further to 2014, "Shanghailanders" delves into the shared and individual lives of the Yang family, exploring each parent, each daughter, and those in their orbit—a nanny from the provinces, a daring private driver, and a grandmother whose memories echo the present. The novel provides glimpses into a future where the city grapples with rising waters and the looming spectre of apocalypse. However, Juli Min skillfully reveals that amidst change, certain constants persist: love is intricate, life is unfair, and family remains unyieldingly connected by blood, secrets, and longing.

With brilliant construction and poignant resonance, "Shanghailanders" is an unforgettable exploration of marriage, relationships, and the intricate tapestry of time.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if it were in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, it is not working for me right now. It is nothing against the story or the author, but I couldn't get into the story/characters. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

This was a story of a wealthy family living in Shanghai. Leo, the father and successful real estate investor, Eko, his Japanese wife, and three daughters. Despite having almost everything the money can buy, none of them is truly happy. The book has unusual construction - it starts in the future, 2040, and goes backwards. There is no typical storyline, but each chapter is a glimpse into the family life from a different perspective.


I absolutely loved this book. It's sharp, modern, insightful, and thought-provoking. It was a brilliant read and I didn't want it to end. Very impressive debut.

Beginning in the near future and going backwards, "Shanghailanders" kept me engaged until the very last page. Juli Min has an admirable talent of capturing the realities of a cosmopolitan family though small scenes and hints. Due to the narrative, I found myself going back to the beginning of the novel once I finished it, to try and grasp the moments that I might've looked over in the first read.

"Shanghailaders" is not an unnecessarily futuristic story. Quite the contrary, the author created a very believable vision of the future world. The way she captured the familial stuckness, unhappiness and trauma is quite masterful.

This was a really interesting read and one that feels like you’re watching a TV series rather than reading a book. If you love generational stories and following a family of characters as they navigate their way through life then this book would be amazing for you to sink your teeth into. The characters are complex and very well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and demolished it in one sitting.

Working backward from the year 2040, a wealthy family in Shanghai is dissected - from parent, to child, to driver, to nanny. The family unit’s secrets are explored and the intricate web that connects them expands and contracts.

This has all the ingredients of a book I would love - nontraditional storyline, dysfunctional family dynamic, complicated characters - but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I wanted more about Kiko, the youngest daughter who reached for fame in dark corners of the internet, or Yoko, who’s neurodivergence was danced around for much of the novel.

For a debut novel, it certainly has legs. What it may lack in character connection, it makes up for in plot and writing.

A compelling family story with very richly drawn characters but it lost me a little with the time reversal storytelling device.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is about a fabulously wealthy family and their privileged lifestyle. The storyline travels back into time. In the reversing of the family history, we learn of their struggles and the key events that formed the individuals into the people we meet in the exposition of the novel.

Shanghailanders is a great debut. The story details the lives of one particular family, spent over the course of several decades and a bit of different countries as well. The novel is unique in a couple ways - rather than tell the story progressively, we instead start in 2040 and work our way backwards to 2014. This makes each chapter feel a bit like a mystery needing to be solved, since we know we will only be receiving more backstory. However, the other unique element is each chapter focuses on a different character within or around the family. This makes it so the backstory we get is only ever a partial answer to the questions raised in the previous chapter. I found this concept intriguing, though honestly I'm not sure it added enough to be worthwhile. Shanghailanders was an interesting read to me based solely on the characters and quality of writing, not the unconventional storytelling structure.

Juli Min is a strong writer with great depth of character, she is skilled at capturing both diverse personalities and the human condition more broadly. For those reasons, I look forward to reading her future novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the e-arc.