A piercing tale of a Malaysian woman’s quest for independence that combines “the nuance of a poet with the ear of a born storyteller” (Julia Watson, coeditor of Women, Autobiography, Theory).

Li An, a young Malaysian woman of Chinese descent, seeks to understand herself as the country around her struggles to determine its own identity. And much like the politically charged atmosphere of 1969 Kuala Lumpur, Li An must confront the contradictions within. While she supports her nation’s fight to break free from the influence of British colonial rule, she cannot deny her love for the English poetry that she teaches. While she aspires to be an independent woman, she still finds herself married to the dependable Henry—until she meets an American Peace Corps volunteer named Chester Brookfield.

Their encounter propels Li An on a quest of self-discovery, one that spans the divide between East and West, women and men, freedom and responsibility. Told with insight and wit, Lim’s sweeping debut novel demonstrates that while the journey is never easy, all roads lead, ultimately, to our true selves.

“This elegantly crafted tale places Lim among the most imaginative and dexterous storytellers writing in the English language today.” —Rey Chow, author of Primitive Passions

“A gripping novel centered around a strong, language-struck, culture-crossing Asian woman’s quest for independence.” —Rob Wilson, author of Reimagining the American Pacific

“This felicitous novel is several books in one—Madame Butterfly transplanted to Malaysia, a feminist manifesto, and a commentary on the new Southeast Asia that has been emerging in recent years. Lim has woven these strands together in a colorful batik that is dazzling.” —Hisaye Yamamoto, author of Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories