Where Waters Meet

In Zhang Ling's novel, a daughter discovers her mother's secret life through a suitcase and a journey to China, exploring courage, survival, and self-discovery.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2023
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

In an emotional and captivating novel by Zhang Ling, the bestselling author of "A Single Swallow," a daughter uncovers the dramatic history that shaped her mother's secret life.

Rain, Phoenix Yuan-Whyllers mother, was rarely absent from her life. Even after Phoenix got married, Rain, who followed her from China to Toronto, continued to be a part of her life. However, Rain's unexpected death at the age of eighty-three brings about a heartbreaking separation.

Coping with the loss, Phoenix discovers her mother's suitcase, a memory box that Rain had brought from home. Inside, she finds two old photographs and a decorative bottle containing a crystallized powder. Her auntie Mei informs her that these missing pieces of her mother's early life can only be explained when they meet, and so, holding her mother's ashes, Phoenix embarks on a plane to China.

At first, it appears that Phoenix's quest is to uncover her mother's secrets. However, the journey turns into a startling self-discovery. Told across decades and continents, Zhang Ling's exquisite novel is a tale of extraordinary courage and survival. It sheds light on the resilience of humanity, the harsh realities of life, the secrets we hold close and the sacrifices we make to survive.

Through the characters of Phoenix and Rain, the novel explores the complexities of family relationships, cultural differences, and the search for identity. It raises questions about the choices we make and the consequences they have on our lives. "The Secret Life of Rain" is a powerful and moving story that will leave readers deeply affected.

ISBN-13: 9781662509001