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Paper Wife
From the bestselling author of Yellow Crocus comes a heart-wrenching story about finding strength in a new world.
Southern China, 1923. Desperate to secure her future, Mei Ling’s parents arrange a marriage to a widower in California. To enter the country, she must pretend to be her husband’s first wife—a paper wife.
On the perilous voyage, Mei Ling takes an orphan girl named Siew under her wing. Dreams of a better life in America give Mei Ling the strength to endure the treacherous journey and detainment on Angel Island. But when she finally reaches San Francisco, she’s met with a surprise. Her husband, Chinn Kai Li, is a houseboy, not the successful merchant he led her to believe.
Mei Ling is penniless, pregnant, and bound to a man she doesn’t know. Her fragile marriage is tested further when she discovers that Siew will likely be forced into prostitution. Desperate to rescue Siew, she must convince her husband that an orphan’s life is worth fighting for. Can Mei Ling find a way to make a real family—even if it’s built on a paper foundation?
Southern China, 1923. Desperate to secure her future, Mei Ling’s parents arrange a marriage to a widower in California. To enter the country, she must pretend to be her husband’s first wife—a paper wife.
On the perilous voyage, Mei Ling takes an orphan girl named Siew under her wing. Dreams of a better life in America give Mei Ling the strength to endure the treacherous journey and detainment on Angel Island. But when she finally reaches San Francisco, she’s met with a surprise. Her husband, Chinn Kai Li, is a houseboy, not the successful merchant he led her to believe.
Mei Ling is penniless, pregnant, and bound to a man she doesn’t know. Her fragile marriage is tested further when she discovers that Siew will likely be forced into prostitution. Desperate to rescue Siew, she must convince her husband that an orphan’s life is worth fighting for. Can Mei Ling find a way to make a real family—even if it’s built on a paper foundation?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2018
11085 people are currently reading
18216 people want to read
About the author
Laila Ibrahim
10 books2,180 followersMy education and experience in multiracial, developmental psychology and attachment theory provide ample fodder for my novels. My passion for early childhood education, child birth and religious education are reflected in my writing.
I was the founder and director of Woolsey Children's School where I had first hand experience loving children that were not my own. There are scenes in Yellow Crocus that were largely influenced interactions I had with children from Woolsey.
As a birth doula I had the privilege of witnessing the intensity and joy of childbirth. You can see that my birth experiences are reflected in my novels.
Spiritual themes that cross over multiple religious traditions come directly from working as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at the First Unitarian Church in Oakland.
I live in a small co-housing community in Berkeley, California, with my wonderful wife, Rinda and our beloved dog, Hazel. Our young adult children are our pride and joy.
I'm very grateful to be a full time writer starting in 2015.
I was surprised when the writing bug bit me. The idea for the story came to me in 1998, I was with a group of people talking about Tiger Woods. Someone mentioned that he identifies as much as an Asian person as an African-American person. I thought to myself, "Of course he does, his mother is Asian. You form your core identity in relationship to your primary caregivers. It's a basic part of the attachment process."
Then the image of Lisbeth, a white baby, breastfeeding in the loving arms of Mattie, an enslaved wetnurse came to me in a flash. I thought about what it would be like for Lisbeth to dearly love Mattie and then be taught by society that she wasn't a full person. I wondered how it would feel for Mattie to be forced to abandon Samuel, her own child, in the slave Quarters. Then I imagined what the experience would be like for Miss Anne, the birth mother, to have her own child twist away from her to get into Mattie's arms. These characters started to haunt me. Various scenes popped into my head. Though I had never written anything, I was being called to tell this story. For my fortieth birthday, I began the personal marathon of writing my first novel. I hope you will come to love these characters as much as I have.
At face value Living Right seems like a big leap from Yellow Crocus, but it deals with the same themes: a caregiver loving across a huge societal barrier.
I LOVED returning to Mattie, Lisbeth and Jordan for Mustard Seed. The story of finding faith in hopeless times really resonates for me. I plan to return to their families' ongoing journey after I finish my current novel-Paper Wife.
Paper Wife focuses on Mei Ling, a young Chinese woman immigrating to San Francisco through Angel Island a in the early 1920's. Reactionary anti-immigration laws in the United States and warfare in China caused people desperate for survival to be misleading about their identities so they could be united with family and have access to work. Mei Ling yearns to have a life of integrity though it was built on a foundation of lies.
Golden Poppies returns to the Freedman and Johnson families. It was fascinating to bring them to California, to look at the suffrage movement, and to see how they could keep their connection strong in spite of the very different social worlds they occupied.
I'm feeling a tug to bring the descendants of these families to the 2000s. Scarlet Carnation gets us to World War 1. I'm just starting the World War 2 era novel.
I was the founder and director of Woolsey Children's School where I had first hand experience loving children that were not my own. There are scenes in Yellow Crocus that were largely influenced interactions I had with children from Woolsey.
As a birth doula I had the privilege of witnessing the intensity and joy of childbirth. You can see that my birth experiences are reflected in my novels.
Spiritual themes that cross over multiple religious traditions come directly from working as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at the First Unitarian Church in Oakland.
I live in a small co-housing community in Berkeley, California, with my wonderful wife, Rinda and our beloved dog, Hazel. Our young adult children are our pride and joy.
I'm very grateful to be a full time writer starting in 2015.
I was surprised when the writing bug bit me. The idea for the story came to me in 1998, I was with a group of people talking about Tiger Woods. Someone mentioned that he identifies as much as an Asian person as an African-American person. I thought to myself, "Of course he does, his mother is Asian. You form your core identity in relationship to your primary caregivers. It's a basic part of the attachment process."
Then the image of Lisbeth, a white baby, breastfeeding in the loving arms of Mattie, an enslaved wetnurse came to me in a flash. I thought about what it would be like for Lisbeth to dearly love Mattie and then be taught by society that she wasn't a full person. I wondered how it would feel for Mattie to be forced to abandon Samuel, her own child, in the slave Quarters. Then I imagined what the experience would be like for Miss Anne, the birth mother, to have her own child twist away from her to get into Mattie's arms. These characters started to haunt me. Various scenes popped into my head. Though I had never written anything, I was being called to tell this story. For my fortieth birthday, I began the personal marathon of writing my first novel. I hope you will come to love these characters as much as I have.
At face value Living Right seems like a big leap from Yellow Crocus, but it deals with the same themes: a caregiver loving across a huge societal barrier.
I LOVED returning to Mattie, Lisbeth and Jordan for Mustard Seed. The story of finding faith in hopeless times really resonates for me. I plan to return to their families' ongoing journey after I finish my current novel-Paper Wife.
Paper Wife focuses on Mei Ling, a young Chinese woman immigrating to San Francisco through Angel Island a in the early 1920's. Reactionary anti-immigration laws in the United States and warfare in China caused people desperate for survival to be misleading about their identities so they could be united with family and have access to work. Mei Ling yearns to have a life of integrity though it was built on a foundation of lies.
Golden Poppies returns to the Freedman and Johnson families. It was fascinating to bring them to California, to look at the suffrage movement, and to see how they could keep their connection strong in spite of the very different social worlds they occupied.
I'm feeling a tug to bring the descendants of these families to the 2000s. Scarlet Carnation gets us to World War 1. I'm just starting the World War 2 era novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,829 reviews
January 18, 2024
Wow! Poignant, powerful journey of Mei Ling and Kai Li, two young adults in an arranged marriage. They travel from China to San Francisco and begin a life based on lies. Mei Ling is a "paper wife" who studies and rehearses the lies she must tell the American government immigration officials when she lands on Angel Island. Kai Li's first wife died and left behind a two-year old son, Bo.
A story of struggle and survival that I highly recommend.
A story of struggle and survival that I highly recommend.
November 17, 2018
This book drew me in from the first page and didn't release me until the last - even then, I didn't really want it to end.
The novel begins in 1923 in China. Already, that has my interest as I love historical fiction books with the added bonus of life and traditions in China thrown in. I was hooked.
Mei Ling's sister was to become the "paper wife" of a widower with one small son (whom he has yet to meet) who will be living in California. When her sister becomes very ill just before she is to leave with the widower, Mei Ling's parents tell her she must stand in for her sister to preserve the family honor after making a promise to a matchmaker. Mei Ling finds herself bound to a man she doesn't know with a small child to boot. She marries Kai Li and will use the voyage to California to learn all about his first wife, so she can lie to the authorities effortlessly. They consummate the marriage and board a ship to the United States. Mei Ling knows it is probably the last time she will ever see her birth family.
Aboard the ship, men are separated from women and Mei Ling's dreams of a beautiful oceanic voyage are crushed. She is far below the deck, in cramped, damp, and a stinking hold. However, it is there she makes two lifelong friends, one a young child, another an older woman. While traveling, Mei Ling realizes she is also with child.
I won't divulge any more because to do so would be spoiling what is a story that needs to tell itself.
I highly recommend this book - I absolutely loved it, start to finish - I just hope there will be a sequel.
The novel begins in 1923 in China. Already, that has my interest as I love historical fiction books with the added bonus of life and traditions in China thrown in. I was hooked.
Mei Ling's sister was to become the "paper wife" of a widower with one small son (whom he has yet to meet) who will be living in California. When her sister becomes very ill just before she is to leave with the widower, Mei Ling's parents tell her she must stand in for her sister to preserve the family honor after making a promise to a matchmaker. Mei Ling finds herself bound to a man she doesn't know with a small child to boot. She marries Kai Li and will use the voyage to California to learn all about his first wife, so she can lie to the authorities effortlessly. They consummate the marriage and board a ship to the United States. Mei Ling knows it is probably the last time she will ever see her birth family.
Aboard the ship, men are separated from women and Mei Ling's dreams of a beautiful oceanic voyage are crushed. She is far below the deck, in cramped, damp, and a stinking hold. However, it is there she makes two lifelong friends, one a young child, another an older woman. While traveling, Mei Ling realizes she is also with child.
I won't divulge any more because to do so would be spoiling what is a story that needs to tell itself.
I highly recommend this book - I absolutely loved it, start to finish - I just hope there will be a sequel.
November 21, 2020
A beautiful story set in the 1920's where a Chinese woman, Mei Ling journeys to America with her husband, a widower and his 2 year old son. There is danger all around, for if American officials discover that Mei Ling is a "paper wife" traveling under another woman's name, she could be sent back in disgrace. What's more, what will her new husband think if he realizes that Mei Ling isn't the woman he was supposed to marry?
The Americans have changed their laws in order to restrict Chinese men from traveling back and forth to visit their families. There is a rush to bring wives and children to California before the law is enforced. The long-held practice of families here and husbands there is ending.
Laila Ibrahim takes readers from China to San Francisco, California in this sweeping historical of a young woman who will carve a life for herself and her family in a new world that presents many challenges. I loved Mei Ling and her fiery spirit not to mention all of the other characters as well. Especially June and Siew. It is a well researched novel that shows a glimpse of attitudes towards Chinese immigrants in the 20th century. If I had one complaint, the story takes a weird turn in the last 10% that was quickly resolved and perhaps wasn't neccessary.
Goodreads review published 18/08/20
The Americans have changed their laws in order to restrict Chinese men from traveling back and forth to visit their families. There is a rush to bring wives and children to California before the law is enforced. The long-held practice of families here and husbands there is ending.
Laila Ibrahim takes readers from China to San Francisco, California in this sweeping historical of a young woman who will carve a life for herself and her family in a new world that presents many challenges. I loved Mei Ling and her fiery spirit not to mention all of the other characters as well. Especially June and Siew. It is a well researched novel that shows a glimpse of attitudes towards Chinese immigrants in the 20th century. If I had one complaint, the story takes a weird turn in the last 10% that was quickly resolved and perhaps wasn't neccessary.
Goodreads review published 18/08/20
December 27, 2018
Audio 5 stars!
Story 5 stars!
Story 5 stars!
January 11, 2019
I read this book a few days ago and it is still bugging me. The main character hears "ghosts" telling her to kill someone... and she does it.. and that's ok?! She's even thanked for it by her husband, and applauds herself for it because it was easier than dealing with the gangs?
Overall the story was fine, but the ridiculous way the "happy ending" came about just irritated me. And there is no way those gangs would not have still found the girl. Especially since the dad was working at the same house where they knew the girl had been working. So many illogical things about this story.
Overall the story was fine, but the ridiculous way the "happy ending" came about just irritated me. And there is no way those gangs would not have still found the girl. Especially since the dad was working at the same house where they knew the girl had been working. So many illogical things about this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2019
An Engaging Story of Love and Loyalty in all its Splendor!
Ibrahim delivers another solid read based on history with rich characters living in challenging times. I loved a earlier read. "Yellow Crocus" and now she has enriched her readers lives with "Paper Wife". I struggled with my rating because I would have liked to see her relationship with her husband to continue further but the ending was perfect and it was a satisfying finish.
Mei Ling's sister is set to marry a Chinese man living in America when her parents spend their little savings to enable her survival as civil war and food scarcity threatens their survival. At the morning she is to marry, she is severely ill so Mei is sent in her place. Mei who has never met this man, maintains her sister's name and vital data. The couple is separated on the ship from China to America after a few days of marriage.
She takes on the exclusive care of her husband's three year son, Bo and she befriends Siew, a six year old girl, who is orphaned. Siew will be living with an unknown uncle once they arrive in San Francisco. Siew becomes a "big sister" to Bo. As Mei watches over Bo and Siew, she develops great love and affection for both as they journey. When they are interned to determine their eligibility for residency at Angel Island, Mei continues parenting Siew. After multiple interviews (Mei is pretending to be the deceased wife of her husband) or as is known as a paper wife. A paper relation is some impersonating a relative of an Asian resident in the U.S. Part of the reason for interment is to disqualify those people gaming the system as "Paper" relatives, which was by asking very specific information from both relatives individually that only a direct relative would know. Mei answered many questions based on a book given to her by her husband while on the ship. Many others had such books which were tossed into the ocean so that authorities would discover their "cliff notes".
Once Mei is given notice that she will be admitted to the country, she promises Siew that the will remain friends and specifies a meeting place. When she doesn't meet-up with Siew, Mei and her husband seek her through a variety of ways, and they eventually find her working as a servant with very little comfort or safety. What is planned for her as she matures brings out Mei's fierce determination to give Siew a home and safety. This proves to be very challenging and the people involved are quite unhappy with Mei's proposal. Mei endangers herself and family. Her solution is shocking.
This story has us travel with Mei has she navigates multiple challenges in a new land with a man she barely knows. Her cleverness and risk taking are rewarded time and again. In many ways this could be the struggle of any immigrant arriving on Americas shores. I live in a major metro area and have seen the challenges of new arrivals from every continent except (Arctic and Antarctica), I have heard stories and witnessed the fear when they have been taken advantage by others (sometimes by other immigrants) but afraid to report the injustice for fear the spotlight will bring new problems. Some having experienced ugliness in their homeland leaving already scarred and fearful of authority.
Mei is a intriguing character, who loves with fierceness and demonstrates great loyalty. Her growth from a sheltered, naive yet educated, young woman emerges into a courageous, momma bear willing to fight for those precious to her. We believe if we were in her shoes, we would make the same choices or at least fight with her tenacity for those we love.
A spirited tale of survival. I've read similar tales of immigrants from China living at the Angel Island holding facility but this traveled in a wholly different direction than the others, to my delight.
Ibrahim delivers another solid read based on history with rich characters living in challenging times. I loved a earlier read. "Yellow Crocus" and now she has enriched her readers lives with "Paper Wife". I struggled with my rating because I would have liked to see her relationship with her husband to continue further but the ending was perfect and it was a satisfying finish.
Mei Ling's sister is set to marry a Chinese man living in America when her parents spend their little savings to enable her survival as civil war and food scarcity threatens their survival. At the morning she is to marry, she is severely ill so Mei is sent in her place. Mei who has never met this man, maintains her sister's name and vital data. The couple is separated on the ship from China to America after a few days of marriage.
She takes on the exclusive care of her husband's three year son, Bo and she befriends Siew, a six year old girl, who is orphaned. Siew will be living with an unknown uncle once they arrive in San Francisco. Siew becomes a "big sister" to Bo. As Mei watches over Bo and Siew, she develops great love and affection for both as they journey. When they are interned to determine their eligibility for residency at Angel Island, Mei continues parenting Siew. After multiple interviews (Mei is pretending to be the deceased wife of her husband) or as is known as a paper wife. A paper relation is some impersonating a relative of an Asian resident in the U.S. Part of the reason for interment is to disqualify those people gaming the system as "Paper" relatives, which was by asking very specific information from both relatives individually that only a direct relative would know. Mei answered many questions based on a book given to her by her husband while on the ship. Many others had such books which were tossed into the ocean so that authorities would discover their "cliff notes".
Once Mei is given notice that she will be admitted to the country, she promises Siew that the will remain friends and specifies a meeting place. When she doesn't meet-up with Siew, Mei and her husband seek her through a variety of ways, and they eventually find her working as a servant with very little comfort or safety. What is planned for her as she matures brings out Mei's fierce determination to give Siew a home and safety. This proves to be very challenging and the people involved are quite unhappy with Mei's proposal. Mei endangers herself and family. Her solution is shocking.
This story has us travel with Mei has she navigates multiple challenges in a new land with a man she barely knows. Her cleverness and risk taking are rewarded time and again. In many ways this could be the struggle of any immigrant arriving on Americas shores. I live in a major metro area and have seen the challenges of new arrivals from every continent except (Arctic and Antarctica), I have heard stories and witnessed the fear when they have been taken advantage by others (sometimes by other immigrants) but afraid to report the injustice for fear the spotlight will bring new problems. Some having experienced ugliness in their homeland leaving already scarred and fearful of authority.
Mei is a intriguing character, who loves with fierceness and demonstrates great loyalty. Her growth from a sheltered, naive yet educated, young woman emerges into a courageous, momma bear willing to fight for those precious to her. We believe if we were in her shoes, we would make the same choices or at least fight with her tenacity for those we love.
A spirited tale of survival. I've read similar tales of immigrants from China living at the Angel Island holding facility but this traveled in a wholly different direction than the others, to my delight.
October 3, 2022
Paper Wife by Laila Ibrahim is a book about a Chinese woman at 18 forced to leave home to America under her sisters name and age/birthdate to marry a stranger. With her she took a little boy who was from her husband to be first marriage. On the boat she met a young girl who changed their lives completely. A lovely story about romance, love and Chinese culture.
October 18, 2019
This was a wonderful book. I really enjoy Laila Ibrahim's writing. I loved the first book I read by her, Yellow Crocus. This story has similar pacing.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. Some of them were more well-rounded than others, but I still enjoyed hearing their stories. A couple of questions were left open, so you don't know everything you want to about all of them, but you know them all well enough.
I would have given the story 5 stars except for a couple of minor things towards the end that I didn't love. These issues were minor to me and I would still recommend this story to fans of the genre. 4.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. Some of them were more well-rounded than others, but I still enjoyed hearing their stories. A couple of questions were left open, so you don't know everything you want to about all of them, but you know them all well enough.
I would have given the story 5 stars except for a couple of minor things towards the end that I didn't love. These issues were minor to me and I would still recommend this story to fans of the genre. 4.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2018
Interesting but a very slow read in my opinion. I felt the characters needed a lot more depth. This is my least favorite read by this author
November 13, 2018
With immigration currently being a hot button issue in the United States and many other countries around the world, the publication of this book could not be more timely.
Although this story begins ninety years ago in 1923, there are many alarming similarities between the discrimination faced by immigrants during that time period and the discrimination faced by those who have chosen to emigrate to the United States in modern times.
Mei Ling was happily living out her young life in China when the matchmaker arrived at the door of her parent's home. A suitable match had been found for Mei Ling's older sister and the wedding date was set. But, as fate would have it, her sister fell ill and her parents told Mei Ling that she would have to take her sister's place.
This deception early in the story is only one of many deceptions and 'white lies' that occur throughout the book.
It is obvious that author Laila Ibrahim did her research for this book as the facts and traditions written about in this tale match perfectly with historic accounts from those who actually did leave China in hopes of a better life in the United States.
Laila Ibrahim's writing style and subject matter reminds me of author Lisa See. http://www.lisasee.com
I enjoyed the story even though I found one event to be completely implausible. Despite that, the author has written a book that anyone who wonders what life might have been like for the huge wave of Asian immigrants who arrived en masse in the years following World War I will want to read.
I believe that by reading books such as PAPER WIFE, people will gain, at the very least, a small measure of empathy for people whose cultures and/or backgrounds are different from their own.
Reading stories like this one, prove to readers that people are more similar than they are different. We all want the same thing. We want a safe and comfortable place to sleep, a good education for our children, and a job that allows us to provide for our families.
In PAPER WIFE, Mei Ling was detained on Angel Island and interrogated by officials who used intimidation and threats to try to force her to change her story or to catch her in a lie. This is a true reflection of what immigrants were subjected to in 1925.
We need to learn from the past. If we do not learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them.
I rate PAPER WIFE as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To read my full review and to read about more great books, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews and on Twitter @Amiesbookreview
Although this story begins ninety years ago in 1923, there are many alarming similarities between the discrimination faced by immigrants during that time period and the discrimination faced by those who have chosen to emigrate to the United States in modern times.
Mei Ling was happily living out her young life in China when the matchmaker arrived at the door of her parent's home. A suitable match had been found for Mei Ling's older sister and the wedding date was set. But, as fate would have it, her sister fell ill and her parents told Mei Ling that she would have to take her sister's place.
This deception early in the story is only one of many deceptions and 'white lies' that occur throughout the book.
It is obvious that author Laila Ibrahim did her research for this book as the facts and traditions written about in this tale match perfectly with historic accounts from those who actually did leave China in hopes of a better life in the United States.
Laila Ibrahim's writing style and subject matter reminds me of author Lisa See. http://www.lisasee.com
I enjoyed the story even though I found one event to be completely implausible. Despite that, the author has written a book that anyone who wonders what life might have been like for the huge wave of Asian immigrants who arrived en masse in the years following World War I will want to read.
I believe that by reading books such as PAPER WIFE, people will gain, at the very least, a small measure of empathy for people whose cultures and/or backgrounds are different from their own.
Reading stories like this one, prove to readers that people are more similar than they are different. We all want the same thing. We want a safe and comfortable place to sleep, a good education for our children, and a job that allows us to provide for our families.
In PAPER WIFE, Mei Ling was detained on Angel Island and interrogated by officials who used intimidation and threats to try to force her to change her story or to catch her in a lie. This is a true reflection of what immigrants were subjected to in 1925.
We need to learn from the past. If we do not learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them.
I rate PAPER WIFE as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To read my full review and to read about more great books, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews and on Twitter @Amiesbookreview
December 28, 2019
When Mei Ling's sister gets ill, Mei Ling takes her sisters place to become a paper wife for her new husband Kai Li who is taking her and his son Bo back home to California. Will she survive and adapt to her new home while having a happy family? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good read and my final read for 2019. If you enjoy historical fiction about Chinese american immigrants and surviving in a new land, then be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good read and my final read for 2019. If you enjoy historical fiction about Chinese american immigrants and surviving in a new land, then be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.
November 7, 2018
Interesting but very unrealistic. Kind of disappointing
November 20, 2020
'Paper Wife' by Laila Ibrahim is a good teen story about a Chinese woman who immigrates to San Francisco in 1923. The book describes how a young woman takes on the challenges of accepting changes not of her choosing but that are necessary for survival. She is lucky her temperament and education gives her inner strength because initially she has no choices about her life except that of acceptance.
Mei Ling and her family were once comfortable in a large house in Guangzhou, China, but war and famine forced them to leave Guangzhou. The family moved to their ancestral home in a small village but their wealth was gone. Fuchan, Mei Ling's father, was a scholar and teacher. Mah-ma, Mei Ling's mother, had insisted her four children learn how to read and write. Mei Ling and her older sister, Jah Jeh, did not have their feet bound. Both girls had hoped to marry well when it was time, but their current poverty means the oldest girl, Jah Jeh, nineteen years old, has to be married at once to reduce costs. A matchmaker is hired to find a husband. The family already has endured the death of the oldest son, the loss of their wealth and Guangzhou home, and now this marriage must happen. Who knows how far away Jah Jeh will be after marriage, or if her new husband will permit her to visit?
The matchmaker explains Jah Jeh is to marry a Christian who is a Chinese merchant. His name is Chinn Kai Li. He is a widower with a small son. He had paid for visas for his first wife, himself and his son to go to America, but his wife died. Kai Li must have a woman immediately to become his second wife if he is to be able to immigrate without problems with American authorities. She must never tell anyone she is not the original woman known as Kai Li's first wife. She must be a "paper wife". She will have to answer to the name of Wong Lew She, which was Kai Li's first wife's name, and never say her real name to anyone. This common deception of fake identities was necessary because of new immigration rules which had made immigration to the United States much more difficult for Chinese people.
Jah Jeh and Kai Li will need to marry in two days and leave by ship shortly after. It was excellent luck Jah Jeh was literate and had flat feet, better for the American lifestyle. Jah Jeh will also need to study and memorize the facts of the first wife's life in order to pass the rigorous examination of American immigration authorities.
Preparations are made for the journey, and the entire family is very sad. However, to everyone's horror, Jah Jeh becomes feverish the night before she is to meet Kai Li for the first time. They were to meet in a church to marry. The matchmaker decides Mei Ling will replace Jah Jeh. Kai Li will never know the sisters had switched identities, and the matchmaker will not have to return her fees for making the match. Otherwise, the matchmaker threatens no other matchmaker will work at finding a husband for the girls.
The switch is agreed to. Mei Ling is scared. There is nothing else to be done. She will marry a complete stranger in two days, and take a ship to a foreign country she knows nothing about. She will be an instant mother to a boy she knows nothing about. She does not speak English. She might never see her family again in her lifetime. Her only solace is she can write letters, and her sister can write her back. If her sister survives her fever. Letters take two months one way, as does the journey by ship.
"Surrender. Her mother's familiar instruction echoed in her mind."
Gentle reader, isn't this absolutely shocking? But it happened, and is still happening, all of the time to marriageable girls everywhere all over the world.
There are hardships and disappointments, but Mei Ling discovers she has enough grit and talent to overcome the problems. She is a remarkable character with a strong heart.
The book is written in a general style like a cozy but with some sharp edges of realism that includes the sex trafficking of Asian girls and murder. These descriptions of dark reality are handled in gauzy and offscreen mentions. Middle-schoolers will like the book, as well as some YA's who prefer stories that are more uplifting and hopeful with protagonists who meet challenges realistically and bravely. Three-and-half stars.
Mei Ling and her family were once comfortable in a large house in Guangzhou, China, but war and famine forced them to leave Guangzhou. The family moved to their ancestral home in a small village but their wealth was gone. Fuchan, Mei Ling's father, was a scholar and teacher. Mah-ma, Mei Ling's mother, had insisted her four children learn how to read and write. Mei Ling and her older sister, Jah Jeh, did not have their feet bound. Both girls had hoped to marry well when it was time, but their current poverty means the oldest girl, Jah Jeh, nineteen years old, has to be married at once to reduce costs. A matchmaker is hired to find a husband. The family already has endured the death of the oldest son, the loss of their wealth and Guangzhou home, and now this marriage must happen. Who knows how far away Jah Jeh will be after marriage, or if her new husband will permit her to visit?
The matchmaker explains Jah Jeh is to marry a Christian who is a Chinese merchant. His name is Chinn Kai Li. He is a widower with a small son. He had paid for visas for his first wife, himself and his son to go to America, but his wife died. Kai Li must have a woman immediately to become his second wife if he is to be able to immigrate without problems with American authorities. She must never tell anyone she is not the original woman known as Kai Li's first wife. She must be a "paper wife". She will have to answer to the name of Wong Lew She, which was Kai Li's first wife's name, and never say her real name to anyone. This common deception of fake identities was necessary because of new immigration rules which had made immigration to the United States much more difficult for Chinese people.
Jah Jeh and Kai Li will need to marry in two days and leave by ship shortly after. It was excellent luck Jah Jeh was literate and had flat feet, better for the American lifestyle. Jah Jeh will also need to study and memorize the facts of the first wife's life in order to pass the rigorous examination of American immigration authorities.
Preparations are made for the journey, and the entire family is very sad. However, to everyone's horror, Jah Jeh becomes feverish the night before she is to meet Kai Li for the first time. They were to meet in a church to marry. The matchmaker decides Mei Ling will replace Jah Jeh. Kai Li will never know the sisters had switched identities, and the matchmaker will not have to return her fees for making the match. Otherwise, the matchmaker threatens no other matchmaker will work at finding a husband for the girls.
The switch is agreed to. Mei Ling is scared. There is nothing else to be done. She will marry a complete stranger in two days, and take a ship to a foreign country she knows nothing about. She will be an instant mother to a boy she knows nothing about. She does not speak English. She might never see her family again in her lifetime. Her only solace is she can write letters, and her sister can write her back. If her sister survives her fever. Letters take two months one way, as does the journey by ship.
"Surrender. Her mother's familiar instruction echoed in her mind."
Gentle reader, isn't this absolutely shocking? But it happened, and is still happening, all of the time to marriageable girls everywhere all over the world.
There are hardships and disappointments, but Mei Ling discovers she has enough grit and talent to overcome the problems. She is a remarkable character with a strong heart.
The book is written in a general style like a cozy but with some sharp edges of realism that includes the sex trafficking of Asian girls and murder. These descriptions of dark reality are handled in gauzy and offscreen mentions. Middle-schoolers will like the book, as well as some YA's who prefer stories that are more uplifting and hopeful with protagonists who meet challenges realistically and bravely. Three-and-half stars.
May 16, 2019
This was a quick and engaging read. I enjoyed it, but I wanted more. There were a lot of secrets and things in the book to create tension, but most of it came to light without too much conflict. I wanted a little more character development, a little more of the backstory and motives for some of the characters, etc. It was a good read, but I wanted more.
Read
July 3, 2020DNF 14%. The time period and main character are potentially interesting, but I just don’t think I’m a fan of Ibrahim’s writing, this being my second book of hers.
November 11, 2018
It is difficult to review a book like Paper Wife because there is just so much there and any review would have to include spoilers and I am not that kind of review writer [typically]. So I am trying to think of a way to encourage you to read this lovely book without giving anything away. If you read the blurb on Goodreads, it does just that, so I encourage you to NOT do that. I was so glad that I didn't look at that until I was more than halfway in and already knew some of the stuff that they spoilery share there.
This is a book about Chinese culture in the early 1920's. This is a book about Chinese immigration, which was close to horrific. If this book doesn't make you think, you must be either heartless or dead [SEE the quote at the end of the review]. This is a book about what happens to orphan girls from China who have no families to protect them. It is about lies and how they grow even when you try to contain them. It is about trying to find and adapt and love a new life because it is the only one you have. And mostly, this is about a woman who has to become an instant mother and how that mother's love grows and grows and ends up protecting both her children and her husband.
The narrator for this was very good and I enjoyed how she told the story very much. And I really did like this story very much. I do think it could have been about 5 chapters shorter [I found that I was drifting towards the end in wanting the details to get all tied up], but still, overall, this was a very good read.
This was the quote at the beginning of the book - the next time you think that you might be having a rough day, think of these people in the past and all that they endured to have even a fraction of the life you currently have now.
"I am satisfied the present Chinese labor invasion [it is not in any proper sense immigration - women and children do not come] is pernicious and should be discouraged. Our experience in dealing with the weaker races - the Negroes and Indians, for example - is not encouraging."
US President Rutherford B. Hayes
This is a book about Chinese culture in the early 1920's. This is a book about Chinese immigration, which was close to horrific. If this book doesn't make you think, you must be either heartless or dead [SEE the quote at the end of the review]. This is a book about what happens to orphan girls from China who have no families to protect them. It is about lies and how they grow even when you try to contain them. It is about trying to find and adapt and love a new life because it is the only one you have. And mostly, this is about a woman who has to become an instant mother and how that mother's love grows and grows and ends up protecting both her children and her husband.
The narrator for this was very good and I enjoyed how she told the story very much. And I really did like this story very much. I do think it could have been about 5 chapters shorter [I found that I was drifting towards the end in wanting the details to get all tied up], but still, overall, this was a very good read.
This was the quote at the beginning of the book - the next time you think that you might be having a rough day, think of these people in the past and all that they endured to have even a fraction of the life you currently have now.
"I am satisfied the present Chinese labor invasion [it is not in any proper sense immigration - women and children do not come] is pernicious and should be discouraged. Our experience in dealing with the weaker races - the Negroes and Indians, for example - is not encouraging."
US President Rutherford B. Hayes
March 14, 2019
This is a simple, book without nuance in its language, plot, and characters-quite predictable. It might be okay for young teens who have never read anything about Chinese immigration and settlement in the U.S. Glad this was a Kindle freebie.
May 1, 2024
A beautiful story of the art of true wisdom found in submission to your husband but also being smart.
I hate the all propaganda of feminism we read , hear and see all around us because they erase womanhood for what it really is: strong in elegance and silence while having a beauty in being fragile. Nowadays women are thought to have a big mouth for the smallest of stupid things instead of trying to listen and not judge so quick.
The heroine of this story is a Chinese woman from 1923 that finds herself married to an unknown man with a son that lives in America. Her journey begins with a lot of trials from travelling the first time the sea on a boat to being isolated on a isle to an interview for becoming an American citizen to finding out her husband is not what he said it was to poverty and mistrusting her husband. This woman is an example of what it means to be a wise woman. Despite infuriated by her husband's lies she tries to maintain the peace of her marriage and guess what ladies? It works perfectly because little by little her husband is mesmerized by her strength and understanding. Well to be honest you can say she was lucky for having such a protective and kind husband but again if she started acting like a spoiled child that complained for every damn thing I assure that man will not have loved or showed so much care affection towards her.
This book is a hidden gem because it is so rare to read about women that actually do not need to act like men to prove that they are strong but by her wisdom and quietness and control over her anger she is capable of maintaining her peace in her family and be strong.
I did not gave it 5 stars because the all plot with the crime was so farfetched and idiotic in my opinion plus that I felt that her living in America kind pushed her to the all feminism garbage. I admired her so much till the scene with having the idiotic idea to kill a man!
Maybe you will read this review and think she is an anti-feminism, the true is I am not! I am all for women's rights but the all feminism in our days stands for "we are better then men, we erase our beauty, elegance, wisdom and all wonderful qualities that God gifted us just to be like men "🙄
Ladies this is what God designed us to be , our role and beauty of it:
I hate the all propaganda of feminism we read , hear and see all around us because they erase womanhood for what it really is: strong in elegance and silence while having a beauty in being fragile. Nowadays women are thought to have a big mouth for the smallest of stupid things instead of trying to listen and not judge so quick.
The heroine of this story is a Chinese woman from 1923 that finds herself married to an unknown man with a son that lives in America. Her journey begins with a lot of trials from travelling the first time the sea on a boat to being isolated on a isle to an interview for becoming an American citizen to finding out her husband is not what he said it was to poverty and mistrusting her husband. This woman is an example of what it means to be a wise woman. Despite infuriated by her husband's lies she tries to maintain the peace of her marriage and guess what ladies? It works perfectly because little by little her husband is mesmerized by her strength and understanding. Well to be honest you can say she was lucky for having such a protective and kind husband but again if she started acting like a spoiled child that complained for every damn thing I assure that man will not have loved or showed so much care affection towards her.
This book is a hidden gem because it is so rare to read about women that actually do not need to act like men to prove that they are strong but by her wisdom and quietness and control over her anger she is capable of maintaining her peace in her family and be strong.
I did not gave it 5 stars because the all plot with the crime was so farfetched and idiotic in my opinion plus that I felt that her living in America kind pushed her to the all feminism garbage. I admired her so much till the scene with having the idiotic idea to kill a man!
Maybe you will read this review and think she is an anti-feminism, the true is I am not! I am all for women's rights but the all feminism in our days stands for "we are better then men, we erase our beauty, elegance, wisdom and all wonderful qualities that God gifted us just to be like men "🙄
Ladies this is what God designed us to be , our role and beauty of it:
November 3, 2018
Just okay..not as great as I had wished
I read & listened to ‘Paper Wife’ because I adore every book from Laila Ibrahim! Yet I couldn’t help but feel I was reading “Shanghai Girls” another author, yet about 10 hours less and less details. It was so close to the same story line, but different time..matchmaker involved in lives & the Chinese girl being sent to Angel Island in San Francisco to the same husband type..always say they have money but have none..and a pregnancy. The difference here was the character didn’t live with the husbands family and at the end, without giving any info, Mai Lee was different than other stereotype Chinese girls. I don’t want to be petty, really. I liked this book and of course the other book was during WWII and ‘Paper Wife’ was in the early 1920’s.
Laila Lbrahim is an excellent author, but there just didn’t seem to have enough originality. Every Chinese or Japanese book just seems to always take the same path. Listening was great! When Mai Li, the Chinese girl who left home to what she thought was a rich husband didn’t understand English...the narrator used words that sounded like “babbling” to let us understand that English sounded like that to someone not knowing English. Plus she had a great way of making characters sound unique.
I also didn’t like the very quick ending! All of a sudden someone (no spoilers) who was “using” a child for something...was “gone” it didn’t even last 2 chapters? As I’m writing this I’m listening to the last 15 minutes & now Epilogue...wishing & hoping something will make me love it, but unfortunately, I’m sorry, I just didn’t love it.
But you readers & listeners are the reviewers so I’m sure everyone will give a different review & I’m anxious to hear other readers reviews as well. I definitely recommend it but not enthusiastic as I was with her other books.
3 stars for story
I read & listened to ‘Paper Wife’ because I adore every book from Laila Ibrahim! Yet I couldn’t help but feel I was reading “Shanghai Girls” another author, yet about 10 hours less and less details. It was so close to the same story line, but different time..matchmaker involved in lives & the Chinese girl being sent to Angel Island in San Francisco to the same husband type..always say they have money but have none..and a pregnancy. The difference here was the character didn’t live with the husbands family and at the end, without giving any info, Mai Lee was different than other stereotype Chinese girls. I don’t want to be petty, really. I liked this book and of course the other book was during WWII and ‘Paper Wife’ was in the early 1920’s.
Laila Lbrahim is an excellent author, but there just didn’t seem to have enough originality. Every Chinese or Japanese book just seems to always take the same path. Listening was great! When Mai Li, the Chinese girl who left home to what she thought was a rich husband didn’t understand English...the narrator used words that sounded like “babbling” to let us understand that English sounded like that to someone not knowing English. Plus she had a great way of making characters sound unique.
I also didn’t like the very quick ending! All of a sudden someone (no spoilers) who was “using” a child for something...was “gone” it didn’t even last 2 chapters? As I’m writing this I’m listening to the last 15 minutes & now Epilogue...wishing & hoping something will make me love it, but unfortunately, I’m sorry, I just didn’t love it.
But you readers & listeners are the reviewers so I’m sure everyone will give a different review & I’m anxious to hear other readers reviews as well. I definitely recommend it but not enthusiastic as I was with her other books.
3 stars for story
November 7, 2018
I loved this book!
This book deserves all 5 Stars! I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. A beautifully written story. Laila, you've got a winner with this one!
This book deserves all 5 Stars! I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. A beautifully written story. Laila, you've got a winner with this one!
July 23, 2020
Mei Ling comes from a family of very modest means in a village in China. To ensure the welfare of their daughter and that of the family, a marriage is arranged to a California business man. Jah Jeh, Mei Ling's older sister, is supposed to be the bride but on the morning that she is to leave, she gets sick. To preserve the honor of the family with the matchmaker, Mei Ling takes her sister's place. She weds a stranger, takes the identity of his deceased wife and becomes his paper wife. As Mei Ling sets out to California to begin a new life, the possibilities ahead scare her but she is ready to face it.
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is yet another book that comes off my TBR list. I have previously read Yellow Crocus so I am somewhat familiar with Ibrahim's syle. The premise for this novel is what drew me in. Mei Ling and her family live in a village and struggle financially. A marriage is arranged for Jah Jeh, Mei Ling's older sister, via a matchmaker. She is to wed a Chinese man from California who has money. As his wife has died and the travel permit he has is in her name, Jah Jeh will assume that identity. She will become a paper wife. On the morning the wedding, she gets ill and Mei Ling has to take her place. She marries Kai Li, meeets his son and prepares for the journey to California. On the boat, she meets Siew, a young girl travelling with her uncle. As the circumstances bring all these individuals together, they form a new family. Again, I have to say I like the premise. I have previously read about a paper son but I can not recall the book. Characterization was well done though I wish some had been more fleshed out. The plot and pace complimented each other. Where I have an issue is with the last quarter of the book. It felt rushed, tied up too neat and unrealistic. It is hard to believe that matters would have so easily played out that way. As a whole, I will say, I liked the narrative and I learned a lot. All and all, a good read.
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is yet another book that comes off my TBR list. I have previously read Yellow Crocus so I am somewhat familiar with Ibrahim's syle. The premise for this novel is what drew me in. Mei Ling and her family live in a village and struggle financially. A marriage is arranged for Jah Jeh, Mei Ling's older sister, via a matchmaker. She is to wed a Chinese man from California who has money. As his wife has died and the travel permit he has is in her name, Jah Jeh will assume that identity. She will become a paper wife. On the morning the wedding, she gets ill and Mei Ling has to take her place. She marries Kai Li, meeets his son and prepares for the journey to California. On the boat, she meets Siew, a young girl travelling with her uncle. As the circumstances bring all these individuals together, they form a new family. Again, I have to say I like the premise. I have previously read about a paper son but I can not recall the book. Characterization was well done though I wish some had been more fleshed out. The plot and pace complimented each other. Where I have an issue is with the last quarter of the book. It felt rushed, tied up too neat and unrealistic. It is hard to believe that matters would have so easily played out that way. As a whole, I will say, I liked the narrative and I learned a lot. All and all, a good read.
January 12, 2021
Set in the 1920s, this book talks about Chinese immigration to the USA.
The book started well with information about what it means to be a paper wife or son and how the Chinese solved the immigration problem with the strict rules.
We follow Mei Ling, as she marries a stranger and is whisked away to the States without really understanding the situation or knowing her husband.
But as the story progresses I started to lose interest, to the point where I actually read two other books before finishing this one.
-Although I appreciated the historical insight, I didn’t like the writing or the characters, something about the way it is written and the short clipped dialogues bothered me, I thought maybe it was written like this to make it relevant to the Chinese, but is that really how they speak, is that really how they treat each other, how their relationships are?
I really disliked Mei Ling, she was whiny and annoying, she demanded so much from her husband, and even though he did so much and proved himself many times, she was always surprised that he is a good husband and a good man. It was her who was not a good wife.
And then there was that bit about the ghost, which I think it was just Mei Ling’s inner voice, that bit dragged for a long time. And she believed in it and talked with it.
It was also repetitive, like how many times the dragon was mentioned.
The plot twist near the end was an unpleasant surprise, mostly in the way it was written, how it was handled and considered a heroic act!
Plot wise and writing was a disappointment but the history was interesting.
The book started well with information about what it means to be a paper wife or son and how the Chinese solved the immigration problem with the strict rules.
We follow Mei Ling, as she marries a stranger and is whisked away to the States without really understanding the situation or knowing her husband.
But as the story progresses I started to lose interest, to the point where I actually read two other books before finishing this one.
-Although I appreciated the historical insight, I didn’t like the writing or the characters, something about the way it is written and the short clipped dialogues bothered me, I thought maybe it was written like this to make it relevant to the Chinese, but is that really how they speak, is that really how they treat each other, how their relationships are?
I really disliked Mei Ling, she was whiny and annoying, she demanded so much from her husband, and even though he did so much and proved himself many times, she was always surprised that he is a good husband and a good man. It was her who was not a good wife.
And then there was that bit about the ghost, which I think it was just Mei Ling’s inner voice, that bit dragged for a long time. And she believed in it and talked with it.
It was also repetitive, like how many times the dragon was mentioned.
The plot twist near the end was an unpleasant surprise, mostly in the way it was written, how it was handled and considered a heroic act!
Plot wise and writing was a disappointment but the history was interesting.
July 22, 2020
The title was the first reason I was curious about this book. And now that I'm done with it, I don't regret this impulse read at all.
Paper Wife tells about young Mei Ling, a poor Chinese girl whose marriage is arranged by a quirk of fate to a widower settled in America. The story is set around the early 1920s, so the first half of the book unveils the troubles she has with the American immigration procedures and the tricks the Chinese used to circumvent the rules. The latter part narrates her struggles to settle in America with that stranger who is her husband. There is also an orphan girl she met on the ship who plays an important role in the story.
Paper Wife is a soothing book in spite of the troubles mentioned in it. If you're looking for a genuine historical fiction from a female point of view, pick up this book. There is nothing extraordinary about the writing, and that is what makes the book beautiful. It's a wonderful story, written in simple language so that the focus remains on the content rather than on narrative flamboyance. The title also has an interesting origin, which is detailed out in the book but I don't want to reveal in my review.
My rating: 4.25/5
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Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
Paper Wife tells about young Mei Ling, a poor Chinese girl whose marriage is arranged by a quirk of fate to a widower settled in America. The story is set around the early 1920s, so the first half of the book unveils the troubles she has with the American immigration procedures and the tricks the Chinese used to circumvent the rules. The latter part narrates her struggles to settle in America with that stranger who is her husband. There is also an orphan girl she met on the ship who plays an important role in the story.
Paper Wife is a soothing book in spite of the troubles mentioned in it. If you're looking for a genuine historical fiction from a female point of view, pick up this book. There is nothing extraordinary about the writing, and that is what makes the book beautiful. It's a wonderful story, written in simple language so that the focus remains on the content rather than on narrative flamboyance. The title also has an interesting origin, which is detailed out in the book but I don't want to reveal in my review.
My rating: 4.25/5
********************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
January 9, 2020
So disappointed. I really liked Yellow Crocus, so had extremely high hopes for Paper Wife. The beginning started off quite good and I was engrossed from the beginning. But, after Mei Ling finally gets through immigration, it quickly fell flat. It lacked a smooth flow; it felt like one choppy scene after another rather than a cohesive story. I became bored with it and its characters. There weren't any real surprises and the "twist" that the story took was a bit absurd. Mei Ling spent most of the book being annoying and the story itself was quite predictable and repetitious (Mei Ling does something, Mei Ling worries about that something, Mei Ling worries more, Mei Ling tells her husband, everything is fine - repeat). Then, all within a couple of pages Mei Ling seemed to save herself, marriage and family all at the "sacrifice" of another. It seemed like more time could have been spent on that turmoil rather than Mei Ling's constant anxiety and trying to make ghosts happy. Definitely not the quality of writing I was expecting from Ibrahim. I am hoping this was a fluke and am willing to give another of her books a try. Glad it is over.
dnf
March 17, 2019Picked this up because Nancy Wu is one of my favorite narrators…BUT
DNF- I can’t deal with how this author makes her historical characters have contemporary ideas, values, morals, and other traits. In this book, a rural country teen girl of Chinese descendent (brand new Communist China no less) emigrates to the USA in the early 1900s and her inner voice, her education, and her world views are comparable to a modern woman. Not buying the malarkey….
The concept is great & the story interesting (the true immigration history bits) but sadly, this is my last attempt to read this author works. Too fluffy.
In my opinion, her style may work for kids/teens, who don’t weigh too much on nuances/accuracy, as a gateway book to upper-level reading.
DNF- I can’t deal with how this author makes her historical characters have contemporary ideas, values, morals, and other traits. In this book, a rural country teen girl of Chinese descendent (brand new Communist China no less) emigrates to the USA in the early 1900s and her inner voice, her education, and her world views are comparable to a modern woman. Not buying the malarkey….
The concept is great & the story interesting (the true immigration history bits) but sadly, this is my last attempt to read this author works. Too fluffy.
In my opinion, her style may work for kids/teens, who don’t weigh too much on nuances/accuracy, as a gateway book to upper-level reading.
July 23, 2019
This was quite an interesting story about a young woman marrying a man she doesn't know and leaving her home in China to make a life in the United States. From the first page, I was fascinated by Mei Ling's life and engaged with her story. I liked the growth that she showed and her determination in overcoming adversity in America and making a new life with her new family. The only issue I had was that I thought the author didn't quite go far enough with the relationship development between Mei Ling and her husband. I couldn't really connect with him or root for them as a couple because of that. And while I thought the ending was satisfying, I thought that certain aspects of the plot were wrapped up too neatly for my taste. Good read though.
January 12, 2020
Yoğun geçen bir okuma döneminde, kafamı dağıtmayı sağlayan hoş bir kitaptı. Temposu hiç değişmedi, sakince başlayıp sakince bitti.
March 7, 2022
Nice story but not very well written. I also had a major issue with the ending, which I did not think fit the character, and which didn't work for me.
March 19, 2022
3.3/5
September 19, 2024
AI Overview
Paper Wife by Laila Ibrahim is a historical fiction novel about a young Chinese woman who immigrates to San Francisco in the early 1920s. The story follows Mei Ling, whose parents arrange a marriage to a widower in California in order to secure her future. To enter the country, Mei Ling must pretend to be her husband's first wife, or "paper wife".
Here are some highlights from the story:
Deceptive journey
Mei Ling's voyage to America is perilous, and she endures detainment on Angel Island.
Unexpected husband
When Mei Ling arrives in San Francisco, she discovers that her husband is a houseboy, not the successful merchant she was led to believe.
Fragile marriage
Mei Ling's marriage is further tested when she discovers that the orphan girl she took under her wing, Siew, will likely be forced into prostitution.
Building a family
Mei Ling must convince her husband that Siew's life is worth fighting for, and that she can make a real family, even if it's built on a paper foundation.
***
I had heard of a paper wife before. Ibrahim's explanation of what that means is the clearest one I have encountered.
There were upsetting events in the book and one VERY BAD MAN.
I do recommend to any historical fiction lover as it describes the problems faced by immigrants to the US in the 1920's.
5 stars
Paper Wife by Laila Ibrahim is a historical fiction novel about a young Chinese woman who immigrates to San Francisco in the early 1920s. The story follows Mei Ling, whose parents arrange a marriage to a widower in California in order to secure her future. To enter the country, Mei Ling must pretend to be her husband's first wife, or "paper wife".
Here are some highlights from the story:
Deceptive journey
Mei Ling's voyage to America is perilous, and she endures detainment on Angel Island.
Unexpected husband
When Mei Ling arrives in San Francisco, she discovers that her husband is a houseboy, not the successful merchant she was led to believe.
Fragile marriage
Mei Ling's marriage is further tested when she discovers that the orphan girl she took under her wing, Siew, will likely be forced into prostitution.
Building a family
Mei Ling must convince her husband that Siew's life is worth fighting for, and that she can make a real family, even if it's built on a paper foundation.
***
I had heard of a paper wife before. Ibrahim's explanation of what that means is the clearest one I have encountered.
There were upsetting events in the book and one VERY BAD MAN.
I do recommend to any historical fiction lover as it describes the problems faced by immigrants to the US in the 1920's.
5 stars
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