A dryly darkly funny depiction of a modern family navigating close-quarters while on two separate vacations. Weiki Wang is an extremely sharp and astute writer of the intricacies of interpersonal relations in marriage (and all the extra people that come along with it).
–Torrin, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
This is the story of a marriage that is, well, difficult. Oh, not because of anything the couple has done, but rather due to the differences of their source families – One, a sort of up-tight set of parents of Chinese origin who have strict standards when it comes to how things should be done. The other, two people who are rather critical of anyone who is not part of the working class but rather has encouraged intellectual pursuits. It doesn’t help that their son’s wife is a “foreigner.” Vacation here we come! Oh, dear…. what can go wrong. And when the dogs get into the action, it’s almost too much. It’s fun, light, yet considerate of the importance of the elements that go into a good marriage. If you like to read about family life, there’s much to enjoy in this one!
–Linda Bond, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA
Try as we might, we are often indeed the products of the ones that raise us. Weike Wang explores a lot in her prose, but also conveys a lot with what isn’t explicitly stated– whether that’s navigating how our upbringings impact our relationships, disappointing our parents by straying from the path, or, ultimately, learning to live with the impact that all of these and more can take on the lives we build for ourselves. Rental House feels emotionally intricate in how Keru and Nate choose to deal with their families, as well as their marriage, given their lifelong differences, coming from two very different walks of life that will never be fully understood by the other.
–Andrew King, Ridgecrest Books, Shoreline, WA
There are so many great books in independent bookstores! Shop for others and shop for yourself; peak reading season approaches.
