Mariner Family Trust
Product ID: 396145472
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"A globe-trotting, whirlwind, tragi-comic family saga that wrings tears from absurdity and laughter from loss. A joy to read from start to finish." -- Andrew Sean Greer, author of Less , winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize The Nest meets Crazy Rich Asians in this sharp comedic novel about a Chinese-American family's attempts (or not) to fulfill its dying patriarch's final bequest. Some of us are more equal than others.... Meet Stanley Huang: father, husband, ex-husband, man of unpredictable tastes and temper, aficionado of all-inclusive vacations and bargain luxury goods, newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. For years, Stanley has claimed that he's worth a small fortune. But the time is now coming when the details of his estate will finally be revealed, and Stanley's family is nervous. For his son Fred, the inheritance Stanley has long alluded to would soothe the pain caused by years of professional disappointment. By now, the Harvard Business School graduate had expected to be a financial tech god - not a minor investor at a middling corporate firm, where he isn't even allowed to fly business class. Stanley's daughter, Kate, is a middle manager with one of Silicon Valley's most prestigious tech companies. She manages the capricious demands of her world-famous boss and the needs of her two young children all while supporting her would-be entrepreneur husband (just until his startup gets off the ground, which will surely be soon). But lately, Kate has been sensing something amiss; just because you say you have it all, it doesn't mean that you actually do. Stanley's second wife, Mary Zhu, twenty-eight years his junior, has devoted herself to making her husband comfortable in every way--rubbing his feet, cooking his favorite dishes, massaging his ego. But lately, her commitment has waned; caring for a dying old man is far more difficult than she expected. Linda Liang, Stanley's first wife, knows her ex better than anyone. She worked hard for decades to ensure their financial security, and is determined to see her children get their due. Single for nearly a decade, she might finally be ready for some romantic companionship. But where does a seventy-two year old Chinese woman in California go to find an appropriate boyfriend? As Stanley's death approaches, the Huangs are faced with unexpected challenges that upend them and eventually lead them to discover what they most value. A compelling tale of cultural expectations, career ambitions and our relationships with the people who know us best, Family Trust skewers the ambition and desires that drive Silicon Valley and draws a sharply loving portrait of modern American family life. Review: Cutthroat - Enjoyed reading this book as a family I know has lived in Silicon Valley way before it was a thing. Interesting to see how cutthroat the Chinese are in climbing the ladder or waiting for their inheritance. I thought the end was supreme in that there was no inheritance to be distributed (OR, did the second wife abscond with everything?) who knows? was a good quick read for my return to my old book club group. Review: Soo boring - Did not read it all was soo boring
| Best Sellers Rank | #277,129 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #36 in Dramas & Plays by Women #43 in Drama & Play Anthologies #63 in Romance Collections & Anthologies |
| Customer Reviews | 3.8 out of 5 stars 47 Reviews |
D**Y
Cutthroat
Enjoyed reading this book as a family I know has lived in Silicon Valley way before it was a thing. Interesting to see how cutthroat the Chinese are in climbing the ladder or waiting for their inheritance. I thought the end was supreme in that there was no inheritance to be distributed (OR, did the second wife abscond with everything?) who knows? was a good quick read for my return to my old book club group.
A**R
Soo boring
Did not read it all was soo boring
D**E
Entertaining and viscious, a page turning family drama
This is an amazing read from an author who clearly has a sharp and cutting eye for the world around her. Each biting reproach for an obscene action (sending a sex doll to a classmate in an attempt to win friendship) is hilarious in its detail, and at the same time, a thoughtful look at complicated topics that have deep relevance to the America of today. She’s built a cast of characters that are entertaining because of the the sheer range of emotions they elicit in the reader. The author deftly weaves purpose and meaning into the actions of each character, so the story always seems perfectly natural. Peering into the internal machinations of each character gives you a front row seat to the great dramas of life. It will appeal to your worst voyeuristic tendencies in the best way possible-in the safety of your reading nook of choice. Read it, it’s terrific.
S**A
Drama and comedy! Loved it!
I finished this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down! I found the different viewpoints very engaging and realistic; every individual has their own trials and tribulations separate from their family, but there is always the family issues that tie everyone together. The characters were very well developed and I felt like I was in each of their shoes as the stories switched around. Despite this book being primarily drama, there were sarcastic, witty moments that made me laugh out loud. Especially as a someone who grew up Asian in the Bay Area, a lot of the outlooks and stereotypes mentioned were very entertaining. Overall, the book was incredibly engaging, humorous, and a joy to read. I highly recommend it!
D**N
Fast-paced and fascinating
I almost resented engagements on my calendar this weekend because they disrupted my reading of this fantastically-crafted, beautifully-written novel. I loved the alternating pov's, each character's turn taking us into that character's needs and desires while building the family dynamic. And what a dynamic family! Family Trust has been compared to The Nest but I enjoyed it more, found the pace swifter and the struggle around disposition of assets more interesting with the old parents still in the picture. The insider view of Silicon Valley and its players was deliciously captivating as was the world of Stanley's and Linda's Taiwanese-American friends. It was great fun to read this smart, wily, and tender book.
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