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61 pages 2 hours read

Searching for Sylvie Lee

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Jean Kwok

Searching for Sylvie Lee

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Netherlands, New York • 2010s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Searching for Sylvie Lee centers on Sylvie Lee, a successful managerial consultant who goes missing while visiting her dying grandmother in the Netherlands. Her sister Amy and their mother, Ma, investigate her disappearance, uncovering family secrets and discovering that Sylvie's life was far more troubled than it appeared. The story is narrated by Sylvie, Amy, and Ma, delving into themes of family dynamics, cultural dissonance, and the immigrant experience. The book contains descriptions of racism, antisemitism, incest, statutory rape, and suicide.

Mysterious

Emotional

Suspenseful

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.9

43,639 ratings

61%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jean Kwok's Searching for Sylvie Lee is praised for its compelling exploration of identity and family secrets within its Chinese-American context. Reviewers commend Kwok's intricate narrative and emotional depth. However, some criticize occasional pacing issues and predictability. Overall, it's a poignant, heartfelt story that resonates with many readers despite minor flaws.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Searching for Sylvie Lee?

Readers who relish family mysteries, emotional narratives, and cultural exploration in novels like Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere will be captivated by Jean Kwok's Searching for Sylvie Lee. This book offers a poignant, multi-generational story that delves into identity and immigrant experiences.

3.9

43,639 ratings

61%

Loved it

31%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Sylvie Lee

A successful but complex Chinese American woman grappling with personal identity, cultural heritage, and familial bonds, who navigates her life's challenges informed by her experiences in both the United States and the Netherlands.

Sylvie's younger sister, known for her musical talent and kindness, who struggles with self-perception and grows over time through her journey of personal discovery and family dynamics.

The mother of Sylvie and Amy, characterized by her hard-working immigrant experience and her dedication to her daughters, providing a window into the challenges faced by new immigrants in the United States.

An immigrant worker at a seafood market, whose complex emotions and struggles with family dynamics are influenced by his experiences of alcoholism and unfulfilled aspirations.

The grandmother who plays a central role in connecting Sylvie to her cultural roots, embodying the theme of cultural preservation and familial love despite the challenges of immigration.

Distant cousin to Ma, who lives in the Netherlands with her family and is initially known for her unkind demeanor, deepening family tensions and secrets.

Helena's husband, living in the Netherlands, whose quiet presence and interactions with Sylvie reveal layers of family history and relationships.

The son of Helena and Willem, and Sylvie's close childhood companion in the Netherlands, whose adult life as a photographer showcases both his affection for Sylvie and his personal struggles.

A childhood friend of Sylvie, Lukas, and Filip, known for her skilled career in aviation and her candidness about societal issues, which add dimension to the narrative's exploration of prejudice.

A professional cellist and childhood friend of Sylvie and Lukas, whose personal journey and musical talent influence Sylvie's experiences during her time in the Netherlands.

Sylvie's husband, outwardly affable and affluent, whose true motivations and character gradually unfold, complicating Sylvie's personal and family life.

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Netherlands, New York • 2010s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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