This novel gave me a look into a world I knew nothing about, and that itself was interesting and worth reading. As a mother it was very hard to read about the kidnapping storyline, but I thought the situation was handled well and the book was emotionally rich throughout.

Janice Y.K. Lee’s 2009 debut, The Piano Teacher, was beloved by readers and critics for its pitch-perfect portrayal of Hong Kong in the years after World War II. In her second novel, The Expatriates, the author—who was born in Hong Kong and educated in the U.S.—explores modern-day Hong Kong through the eyes of three American women who are all struggling to find their roles in a land far from home.

Lee answered a few questions about the new novel, her writing process and the reasons that being between cultures can be a good thing for both a writer and her characters.

(Read more at link)

I always love a story with multiple characters and stories and even better when those stories intertwine! From the beginning there are two main characters - Mercy who is Korean American and living in Hong Kong kind of a little lost and trying to find a path; the other main character is Margaret and she is in the middle of housewife life and trying to keep her family afloat in an interesting country.

I loved from the beginning the reader knew that these two would be connected, but just didn't know how. BUT we learn early enough on and the suspense is perfectly timed. About a third of the way in another character is added and for some reason I thought her story would be even more woven into the other two that it was - no spoilers just saying. I wanted Hilary's story to be even more connected and I had a thought, but can't divulge it would spoil the heck out of things!

I was most excited to read this book to read the different stories of people living in a country not of their own. I have had a friend who lived in London for a bit and one in Germany and always thought it would be a fun adventure and/or departure from life in the States.

I liked this book, it wasn't a love, but it was a solidly good read. I loved reading a book not set in a typical place that I read, but had typical characters that I could easily enjoy.

Didn't review this anywhere online as I didn't finish it so therefore a review would be unfair.