The Leavers by Lisa Ko
Finalist for the 2017 National Book Award for Fiction
One morning, Deming Guo’s mother, Polly, an undocumented Chinese immigrant, goes to her job at a nail salon—and never comes home. No one can find any trace of her. With his mother gone, eleven-year-old Deming is left mystified and bereft. Eventually adopted by a pair of well-meaning white professors, Deming is moved from the Bronx to a small town upstate and renamed Daniel Wilkinson.
Told from the perspective of both Daniel—as he grows into a directionless young man—and Polly, Ko’s novel gives us one of fiction’s most singular mothers. Loving and selfish, determined and frightened, Polly is forced to make one heart-wrenching choice after another.
Set in New York and China, The Leavers is a vivid examination of borders and belonging.
11:30 - 12:00 - Book Chatter
This is a brown-bag lunch event. Bring your own lunch or purchase lunch before you arrive from any downtown merchant.
This event is free and open to Friends members and the public. All are welcome.
