And the Ancestors Sing

A Novel

De: Radha Lin Chaddah

Narrado por: Catherine Ho

Spanning decades of seismic change in post-Cultural Revolution China, And The Ancestors Sing is a sweeping, multigenerational novel of resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable pull of home, perfect for fans of Pachinko and The Island of Sea Women.

In 1978, as the Cultural Revolution fades into history, Lei is bartered away into marriage for two cartons of cigarettes and a handful of eggs. She finds herself in the unfamiliar village of her new husband where she is met with indifference. When a disaster upends their world, Lei and her husband are forced to join China’s vast wave of city-bound, rural migrants, leaving behind children whom they may never see again.

Sixteen-year-old LuLu arrives in Shanghai with nothing but ambition. Denied a factory job and determined to keep her family from starving, she turns to sex work, navigating the dangers of the city’s underbelly with sharp wit and a fierce will to survive. When a powerful client offers her a chance at security, LuLu faces an impossible choice: seize a future that could lift her family from poverty, or risk everything for a life on her own terms.

Immersive, evocative, and impeccably detailed, And The Ancestors Sing is a sweeping, multigenerational story of sacrifice, survival, and the unbreakable pull of home.

©2026 Radha Lin Chaddah (P)2026 Audible, Inc.

Beautiful multi-generational story

The surprising story. The lyricism of the text. The character development was exquisite. I miss the characters already.

Compelling and Touching Read! Wonderful narration!

The author brings us to another world, the people of China, their challenges and hardships. She makes every character so real and you cannot help but care for them and root for them as they face poverty, disease, love, loss, and still manage to find meaning and joy. The voice actor who reads this book really brings it to life. It was hard to stop listening each day and could not wait to get back to it! Also a little sad that it is over. I hope this will not be Radha Lin Chadha’s last book!

Good reader

A very good reading of this enjoyable story. The writer takes us deep into the daily lives of her characters and I find myself thinking of them when not reading the book.

Evocative, character-driven storytelling

This is a wonderfully vivid and captivating debut by Radha Lin Chadha. Her characters are deeply compelling, drawing you in and keeping you invested through every hardship. Chadha’s prose is richly descriptive and immersive. Her writing quite literally paints each scene so clearly that you feel transported into the world she has created. I also listened on Audible, and the narration further enhances the experience. A highly recommended read.

Beautiful saga In

Vivid descriptions and a wonderfully entangled story of real life. As a family that has dealt with mental health this story is well done, with care and compassion but it’s only part of a beautiful story of life.