"What did you want to be when you grew up? I joked and said Anything that wasn't a farmer or a disappointment"
Audrey is going home to Illionis, with her White fiance Ben for the Christmas holidays. Audrey is Asian American, growing up under the model minority moulded by her Mother and Father in the Mid West. Whereas Ben had a white Liberal upper middle class access to New York.

"She doesn't even look that Asian", Ms Reed deemed this to be a compliment.
Audrey contemplates the racial undertones which belies her and her families' everyday interacts with the Liberal white. From holding her breath as Ben nears a H Mart Fish counter to sighing in relief as her Fiance follows chaste courtship in front of her parents.

"He doesn't always get it, but always comes close"
Audrey had an air of resignation around her as she allows Ben to speak up towards White Women, but also allows him to have the last say in 'jokes' around their inter racial relationship. In order to take control back, Audrey begins to take small delights when she makes decisions as to whether to provoke or disrupt Ben's experiences and how he understands the world. I found this dynamic very interesting, especially within the context of assimulation, settling and unmet needs.

"I deliberately dont nake eye contact... I have lost the ability to read her moods...but I will hear her judgement soon"
Cai writes family tension well; especially the dynamics between a Chinese Mother and her Daughter. The scenes around the family dining table captured simmering discontent well. Audrey struggles to find space between the White Liberal and the Immigrant survival narrative.

One of the most heartbreaking quotes: "Antagonism made us familiar with each other".
The intergenerational tension was perfectly captured by Cai; there was the perfect blend of description and feeling in everyday settings. I hope Cai writes another book soon.