THE EXPATRIATES

by Janice Y.K. Lee
 
Janice Lee is officially one of my favorite living authors.  I loved The Piano Teacher (her debut novel) and I think The Expatriates is even better. 
 
The book takes place in Hong Kong, where the three main characters find themselves living.  Margaret and Hilary are trailing spouses to men whose jobs took them to Hong Kong and Mercy is a recent Columbia graduate trying to find her way to a career. 
 
Lee has a laser sharp eye for people and what makes them tick.  She has created believable and sympathetic characters -- each trying to establish her identity in this very foreign city.  The book draws you in immediately as you try to figure out what life-changing event has happened to Margaret and how Mercy was involved in that event.  As the story unfolds, Hilary becomes an important player as well.
 
The Expatriates’ climactic scene, where all three women manage to come together and support each other as part of finding their own reserves of strength and character, is one of the most poignant and sensitive portrayals of contemporary feminism I can remember reading. (Liz)