Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NgMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved this book about the wide ranging effects of grief that the death of a favorite daughter causes in a mixed-race family in a 1970s small town. James Lee is Chinese, born and raised in the US, but that has not stopped him from hearing the racial slurs, having few friends, and being embarrassed by his parents. As a college professor, he meets, falls in love and marries Marilyn, blond hair, blue eyes and not Chinese. They have 3 children and it is the middle child, Lydia, who is raised with many expectations. The author does a superb job of exploring the depths of each family members' misunderstandings and secrets in light of Lydia's death. Ng also lays bare the Lee's ignoring their other children while Lydia's aspirations take precedence. I ached for the Lee family -James, Marilyn, Nath, Hannah, and Lydia as their lives are laid bare, but I loved them as tragically flawed individuals as they struggle for love, absolution and answers. Highly recommended.
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