This is a really compelling family novel, told in multiple POVs working its way backwards in time. We start in 2040, when Leo and Eko are the middle aged parents to three adult/young adult women, and work backwards to their wedding day in 2014. Family secrets are uncovered, but there's something quite unique about how the more intense secrets live in the past and therefore with this structure they come as the climax of the novel.

The writing is sharp and the characters are fully baked. There was one chapter that - for me - was a bit of an outlier as it featured a non-family member and didn't tie in much with the overall themes. The other non-relative chapter was much more coherent within the story.

Four stars - this is a great book and one I think many can relate to. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Very beautifully written! I was completely sucked in by this book and I couldn't put it down. Juli Man is an amazing writer and I cannot wait to see what they do next.

A brilliantly written novel. From the very start, the writing drew me in. I loved how Min was able to switch the narratives and the timezones of the story but still make it easy to follow. The way the story was told, recounting key moments backwards in time, was a refreshing change of pace, and really made the book and the moments stand out. I also really loved the main family, they were all flawed and incredibly interesting to read about. A moving story, with focus on family and culture, that was ambitious and poignant.

I love this beautiful novel. It's enormous and far reaching yet small and simple in message, a truly amazing debut.

In Shanghailanders, we are introduced to the Yang family and the time. 2040, The family is International and cosmopolitan from Japan, China and France.. The daughters in the future are situated in Boston and Paris. Through a variety of scenes and remembrances we begin to learn the intricacies of the family and the forces at play throughout their lives. Flashing backwards slowly to 2014 we learn about the Yang family - both from parents and daughters as well as grandparents and caretakers and staff.

It's truly an amazing work, all the more impressive as a debut! #Spiegel&Grau #grau #shanghailanders #julimin