The Original Daughter
Lays bare the claustrophobia of familial love, the ache of unfulfilled dreams and the costs of repressed emotion ... Wei handles Genevieve’s dueling pride in and envy of her sister with grace and nuance ... Through this emotionally heavy plot the novel thankfully maintains a sense of humor, and an engaging, matter-of-fact tone. If the pace slows down in the second act, the final quarter surges ahead as tensions erupt into a staggering act of betrayal ... Wei writes with a maturity that belies this novel’s status as a debut. Precise, layered and moving, The Original Daughter is a book not to miss.
Read Full Review >>
Wei captures the thrill of emigrating, of becoming one’s own person beyond daughter and sister ... Delicately explores the complex pain of being hurt by someone you at once love and envy ... A refreshing perspective in a world of stories that often prioritise romance. At the same time, this emphasis on the relationship between the sisters leaves little space to examine the many heavy themes that the story brought up ... Ambitious ... While there is perhaps one too many complex themes presented for the story to dive deep, Wei is not shy to explore the messier side of siblinghood.
Read Full Review >>
Expertly paced and moving ... A tragedy without over-the-top drama. Her precise descriptions...keeps the focus on the taut action. Best of all, she paints holistic people who may be petty and selfish and yet display grace and kindness.
Read Full Review >>
