Everything I never told you -- Celeste Ng

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng drew my attention upon its first publication. It touches upon almost all my favorite book topics: racial bias, social stereotype, feminism, parenthood and relationship rehabilitation.

The book tells a story of a family with broken relationships, with themselves and each other. Story starts with Lydia, the family’s middle child’s death, and each family member’s continuous efforts in searching for answers.  This is not a fiction of investigation though, rather a family’s journey of salvation. In the quest of finding answers, every family member reflects on what happened and their role in this tragedy.

“How had it begun? Like everything: with mothers and fathers.” James and Marilyn entered an  interracial marriage in late 50s, a time that mixed race marriage was still illegal in some states. James, a second generation Chinese, struggled growing up in an elite private school, where his parents worked as janitor and cook, never came close to blending in with his surroundings. Marilyn, who despises the life of ordinary housewife, an ultimate destiny for most women at the time,  aspires to become a doctor. They met in Harvard. James was thrilled by the love from an “ordinary” girl with blue eyes. And Marilyn was deeply attracted by James’ difference. Life did not turn out the way either of them had hoped, and they both placed the unrealized dreams on their second child: Lydia.

Unlike Nath, the oldest child of the family, who resembles his father in every way James loathes, Lydia inherited her mother’s blue eyes. James yearns and pushes Lydia to become a popular child, something he never got a taste of.  While Marilyn hovers over Lydia’s academics believing it will help Lydia become a doctor one day. Eager to please, Lydia presents a false appearance appealing to both of her parents so that the family’s fragile balance is in check. Only Nath, though neglected by his mother, and detested by his father, is able to provide some warmth and companion to her. But Nat is leaving for college… and Lydia is on the edge of falling apart.

Here Ng demonstrated her great skills on storytelling. The plot was constructed beautifully, fully engaging yet not rushed. The words Ng used were visual, I was able to picture the story from one chapter to another. Frame by frame, scene by scene, story flows smoothly between the past and the present, from one character's eyes to another. Ng successfully wove a web of characters with underlying conflicts. I also love how Ng designed the beginning and end. It starts on a suspenseful scene of dead Lydia in the lake, and ends with her brother Nath coming to closure, also on the lake. The last page wrapped flawlessly of every character’s road of healing. I read that part multiple times.

One of the most frequently used skills in storytelling is “show not tell”. The portrayal of Jack showed off Ng’s mastery of this skill. He appears only in the background of other people’s story. Yet we get to peek into his life from different angles. Raised by his mother only, Jack was also the victim of teasing and isolation. He is sensitive, caring, and brave in his own way. His pain is no less than any other character in the book, but he figured out a way to protect himself. And in the end, he serves as a crucial factor for Nath’s recovery. I don’t know if it is Ng’s intention to create a relatively strong character who has an independant parent as role model.

I read the book twice. Upon completion, though was impressed by the author’s poise, lyrical writing, I was a bit disappointed by its lack of depth in its social/racial exploration. James and Marilyn’s character development felt slightly flat to me. I find myself sympathetic to their struggle yet hard to feel empathetic. Also, the relationships were one dimensional, which decreases the complexity thus resemble less to the real life.  I cannot come to terms with the level of strain between Marilyn and her own mother. I am puzzled by James’ perpetual self pity and the couple’s oblivion to their children’s emotion. I am shocked by the lack of communication between the couple. How James and Marilyn find closure in this tragedy also feels weak to me. The other problem I have is symbolization. For example, the Betty Crocker book. Isn’t it blatant obvious that it will appear at every pivotal event?

The whole book was talking about self identify. It is a challenge to every single character in this book.  It  reminds me of a book I read last year, My October by Claire holden Rothman, one of the finalists in previous year’s Canada Read program. Both books are debut novels from a female writer. Both talked about cross cultural marriages (My October is about English vs French culture) and the delicate harmony in those families. Both talked about women’s struggle from the traditional roles in a household. I also find both story endings unsubstantial in how the main characters finding a way out.

Maybe that is it. It is easy to see and even peel away the layers of pain. But healing, is deeply personal. Everything I Never Told You raised many good questions, to people that are looking for an engaging story, this is one to enjoy.