Aftershock: A Novel

In the summer of 1976, an earthquake in Tangshan, China, separates a mother from her seven-year-old daughter, Xiaodeng. Thirty years later, Xiaodeng is an acclaimed writer living in Canada with her husband and daughter. She returns to Tangshan to find her mother and seek closure, exploring the damage of guilt, the healing pull of family, and the hope of one woman who longs to be saved.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

In the summer of 1976, an earthquake of immense magnitude struck the city of Tangshan, China, leaving a trail of devastation and heartache. Among the countless individuals seeking survival amidst the chaos was a mother who faced a decision that would forever alter the course of her life and the lives of her children. In a split second of unimaginable tragedy, her seven-year-old daughter, Xiaodeng, was torn away from her brother and the loving mother she held dear. All Xiaodeng could remember of that fateful morning was the betrayal she felt.

Thirty years later, Xiaodeng had built a successful career as a writer in Canada, surrounded by the love of her husband and daughter. However, the scars of her past continued to haunt her, resurfacing at unexpected moments and pushing her to the brink of emotional exhaustion. Despite her outward success, Xiaodeng knew that the only way to heal the deep wounds that had plagued her for decades was to return to Tangshan, the city that had witnessed her greatest pain.

Determined to find her mother and seek closure, Xiaodeng embarked on a journey back to her hometown. As she walked through the streets that held so many memories, she felt a mixture of anticipation and fear. The memories of the earthquake were still fresh in her mind, and she wondered if she would ever be able to find the mother she had lost.

However, as she delved deeper into her search, Xiaodeng began to uncover unexpected truths about her mother and the family she had left behind. She learned that her mother had been a hero in the face of adversity, sacrificing her own safety to save her children. Xiaodeng also discovered that her brother, whom she had believed to be responsible for her separation from their mother, had been trying to protect her all along.

Through her journey, Xiaodeng learned the power of forgiveness and the importance of reconciliation. She realized that the past was not something to be feared or avoided, but something to be embraced and learned from. She found solace in the memories of her mother and the bond she shared with her brother, and she knew that she had finally found the closure she had been searching for.

In the end, Xiaodeng returned to Tangshan with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the human spirit. She had found her way back to her mother, and in doing so, she had found a way to heal the wounds of her past. Zhang Ling's powerful novel explores the devastating effects of disaster, the resilience of the human heart, and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring bonds of family.

Weight: 224g
Dimension: 139 x 210 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781662509025