River East, River West

A mesmerizing reversal of the east–west immigrant narrative set against China’s economic boom, River East, River West is a deeply moving exploration of race, identity and family, of capitalism’s false promise and private dreams. Shanghai, 2007: feeling betrayed by her American mother’s engagement to their rich landlord Lu Fang, fourteen-year-old Alva begins plotting her escape. But the exclusive American School – a potential ticket out – is not what she imagined. Qingdao, 1985: newlywed Lu Fang works as a lowly shipping clerk. Though he aspires to a bright future, he is one of many casualties of harsh political reforms. Then China opens up to foreigners and capital, and Lu Fang meets a woman who makes him question what he should settle for...

'A searing and intimate exploration of both China and the American Dream. Poignant and propulsive, thoughtful and moving. I loved this book', 'Aube Rey Lescure’s beautiful debut makes us feel the inexhaustible mystery of other lives. A moving portrait of the love between a mother and daughter, River East, River West portrays, too, the powerlessness of our loves against the riptides of history', 'A keen exploration of love, heritage and the search for home, told through alternating points of view – rebellious Alva and her stepfather Lu Fang with secrets of his own. Aube Rey Lescure’s portrayal of the glitter and grit of China’s tumultuous economic rise is by turns luminous and searing. A haunting debut', 'A beautifully expansive tale of new beginnings – and the pasts we can't extricate ourselves from', 'A complex and moving exploration of race, class, gender, and family... An ambitious, innovative take on both the immigrant and coming-of-age novel'

Aube Rey Lescure is a French-Chinese writer who grew up between Provence, northern China and Shanghai. She worked in foreign policy before turning to writing fulltime. Her writing has appeared in Guernica, Best American Essays, Litro and elsewhere. River East, River West is her debut novel.