When in Vanuatu

March 1, 2021
Moving to Manila for her husband Jay's job at D-TAP, which combines the allure of international travel with the drudgery of office politics, Diana is quickly ensconced in the strange world of expat culture as an American in the Philippines. Filling her days with socializing, volunteering, and exploring a new country seemed exhilarating at first, but her struggles with infertility put a damper on the experience. When Jay is offered a new job in Vanuatu, Diana is convinced that the slower pace of life on the tiny island will allow them to reconnect and finally start a family. Highlighting the diverse challenges and opportunities of expat life, Chen draws on personal experience. Her novel explores "trailing spouse" difficulties, self-fulfillment, and the importance of finding your community. Fans of Lynn Freed's The Last Laugh (2017), Swan Huntley's The Goddesses (2017), and Camille Pag�n's Life and Other Near-Death Experiences (2015) will appreciate the allure of the geographical fix. As warm as a South Pacific sunrise, Chen's novel is a breath of fresh, tropical air.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2021

When Diana's husband Jay lands his dream job working for an international aid organization, she's unsure about relocating to Manila. It's the late 1980s, and the political situation in the Philippines is uncertain. But it's also an opportunity for Diana to take some time away from work to start a family. Four years after their move, Diana is struggling with infertility, and her doctor's orders to relax aren't helping. Although she's found community with her fellow expat wives, the stress of living in a country where the possibility of violent unrest is a daily reality makes her life anything but relaxing. A friend's transfer to the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu suggests a potential solution: a more peaceful locale. Jay isn't as keen on moving to Vanuatu, but it transforms Diana, helping her rebuild her confidence and rediscover her love of art. Chen (Tiger Tail Soup) draws on her experience as a white expat in the Philippines and Vanuatu, lending realism to Diana's emotional journey. VERDICT The abrupt ending, which focuses on tying up loose ends, doesn't match the languid pacing of the rest of the novel, but it is a satisfying resolution. This intimate and deeply personal story will appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally potent, descriptive stories about women's inner lives.--Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.