What We Were Promised

By: Lucy Tan

Narrated by: Jennifer Lim

Set in modern Shanghai, a debut by a Chinese-American writer about a prodigal son whose unexpected return forces his newly wealthy family to confront painful secrets and unfulfilled promises.

After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family has moved back to China. Settling into a luxurious serviced apartment in Shanghai, Wei, Lina, and their daughter, Karen, join an elite community of Chinese-born, Western-educated professionals who have returned to a radically transformed city.

One morning, in the eighth tower of Lanson Suites, Lina discovers that a treasured ivory bracelet has gone missing. This incident sets off a wave of unease that ripples throughout the Zhen household. Wei, a marketing strategist, bows under the guilt of not having engaged in nobler work. Meanwhile, Lina, lonely in her new life of leisure, assumes the modern moniker taitai -a housewife who does no housework at all.

She is haunted by the circumstances surrounding her arranged marriage to Wei and her lingering feelings for his brother, Qiang. Sunny, the family's housekeeper, is a keen but silent observer of these tensions. An unmarried woman trying to carve a place for herself in society, she understands the power of well-kept secrets. When Qiang reappears in Shanghai after decades on the run with a local gang, the family must finally come to terms with the past and its indelible mark on their futures.

From a silk-producing village in rural China, up the corporate ladder in suburban America, and back again to the post-Maoist nouveaux riches of modern Shanghai, What We Were Promised explores the question of what we owe to our country, our families, and ourselves.

Critic reviews

Longlisted for the Center for Fiction's First Novel Prize
Named one of the Best of Books of 2018 by The Washington Post, Refinery 29, and Amazon
A Barnes and Noble Discover Pick

"What We Were Promised glows through its intimate, skillful prose. Tan's debut is a beautiful reckoning with the ever-changing definition of "home" - what it means to have, lose and find family again."—USA Today

""Charming debut novel. . . . Through a set of fascinating characters, Tan delivers a compelling story that raises questions about assimilation, family dynamics, and the personal reverberations of globalization."—National Book Review

"Dramatic and deeply moving, this would be perfect Oscar material."—Crystal Hana Kim, Washington Post

"Winner of Ploughshares' Emerging Writer award, Lucy Tan draws an astute portrait of a staid family thrown into disarray in this assured first novel. She does not explore the Tolstoyan adage of unhappy families, but rather throws a stone into the still pool of carefully balanced domesticity. With its measuring of expectation against reality, What We Were Promised showcases Tan's sharp eye for the intricacies of human relationships."—Shelf Awareness

"Fans of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians series will especially enjoy What We Were Promised."—Refinery29

"A tightly crafted debut wrought with the measured voice of an expert craftsperson, Lucy Tan's WHAT WE WERE PROMISED is an exquisite exploration of class, family and self."—Bookreporter

"A luminous family saga"—Entertainment Weekly

"Intriguing debut novel. Set in Shanghai, made empathic with a multigenerational family saga, embellished with timeless class conflict, this story entertains and enlightens."—Christian Science Monitor

"The ultimate message of What We Were Promised is one all young, millennial readers can relate to."—Bustle

"As the narrative jumps across decades and continents, it throws the rural villages and urban skylines, as well as the lives of the locals and aloof expatriates, into sharp relief. . . . All the while, Tan asks what it means to belong-to a person or a place."—Time

"Against a contemporary global backdrop, made empathic with a multigenerational family saga, embellished with timeless servant/master (and mistress) class conflict, Tan's debut will be entertaining - and enlightening - to savvy cosmopolitan readers throughout the summer and beyond."—Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

"Fans of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians series will especially enjoy What We Were Promised, which takes place among a similar social set."—Refinery 29

"Lucy Tan is an author to watch"—Amazon Book Review

Wonderful

Such a consuming and beautiful story. Narrator was very good. Looking for another Tan book now

Engaging story, well written and beautifully read

Funny how, in such an exotic locale, the situations described feel familiar. There are some aspects to the story which would unique to China but the feelings and actions of the characters were so genuine that they were relatable.

excellent, vivid tale of loves

vivid interesting story about types of love, choices, family. it reminds me of Thrity Umrigar’s excellent books. i hope Sunny gets a sequel!

A solid book about an unfamiliar topic

I didn't know much about contemporary Chinese culture, especially among upper class executives. I found that part fascinating. I enjoyed the perspective on the Chinese expo and the "rags to riches" aspect of the culture and economy. I might have liked more closure/resolution at the end but that's more a personal preference than a criticism of the work.

interesting look in China

through the first person narrative of Sunny, we are able to see the choices one can make during the economic development of China in the 90s. we also get a glimpse into the two generations before her and in doing so we get a glimpse into the economic emergence of China through the lives of its people.

the book itself is quite light and enjoyable. it's an easy read except for when it challenges the readers understanding of having choice versus having no choice over one's life.