Who Would Like This Book:
This twisty, atmospheric novel blends suspense with a deep dive into family secrets, trauma, and the complexities of foster care. Lee’s shifting timeline and exploration of Vancouver’s multicultural setting add layers and richness. If you gravitate toward character-driven dramas, literary mysteries, or stories about the ripple effects of family choices and social systems, you’ll find this both compelling and thought-provoking. Social workers, fans of Gillian Flynn, and readers who love morally tangled stories will especially appreciate it.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Those looking for a tightly-plotted thriller with tidy resolutions might feel let down - Lee leaves some questions unanswered and prefers ambiguity over a neat wrap-up. If you need to love your protagonists, Jessica’s choices and disconnect may frustrate you. Some may find the social commentary a little heavy-handed or wish the mystery side was more prominent. If you crave clear answers and pure page-turning suspense, this might not be your top pick.
About:
'The Conjoined' by Jen Sookfong Lee is a literary fiction novel that delves into the complex themes of family relationships, trauma, and the mysteries surrounding the deaths of two young girls. The story follows Jessica as she uncovers the dark secrets of her mother, Donna, a foster parent who was perceived as a savior to troubled children but may have a more sinister past. Through a non-linear narrative, the author reveals the intertwined lives of Jessica, Donna, and the foster children, highlighting the impact of past traumas on present-day relationships.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include domestic violence, death, mental health issues, trauma, and discussions surrounding murder.
From The Publisher:
Longlisted for the 2018 International Dublin Literary Award A masterful and gripping novel from "an undeniably talented writer" - Globe and Mail On a sunny May morning, social worker Jessica Campbell sorts through her mother's belongings after her recent funeral. In the basement, she makes a shocking discovery - two dead girls curled into the bottom of her mother's chest freezers. She remembers a pair of foster children who lived with the family in 1988: Casey and Jamie Cheng - troubled, beautiful, and wild teenaged sisters from Vancouver's Chinatown. After six weeks, they disappeared; social workers, police officers, and Jessica herself assumed they had run away. As Jessica learns more about Casey, Jamie, and their troubled immigrant Chinese parents, she also unearths dark stories about Donna, whom she had always thought of as the perfect mother. The complicated truths she uncovers force her to take stock of own life. Moving between present and past, this riveting novel unflinchingly examines the myth of social heroism and traces the often-hidden fractures that divide our diverse cities.
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The Conjoined?
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