Set in the planned community of Shaker Heights, Ohio, the story follows the Richardson family, whose structured lives intersect with Mia Warren, an enigmatic artist, and her daughter Pearl. When the Richardsons’ friends attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that divides the town and forces Mia and Elena Richardson onto opposing sides. The narrative examines the friction between rigid social rules and artistic freedom, as well as the secrets individuals keep to maintain their status. This specific 2017 edition features the signature of author Celeste Ng.
Readers interested in the politics of motherhood and the complexities of suburban class structures will find this work informative. It appeals to those who study how racial identity and socioeconomic status influence legal and social outcomes within American neighborhoods. After finishing, the reader understands the tension between biological ties and the stability provided by wealth. People collect this signed copy to own a physical piece of contemporary literary history that documents the specific cultural anxieties of the late twentieth century.
- Published
- 2017
- Language
- EN
