The novel weaves a multi-generational tale centered around a Chinese-Canadian family in Vancouver, exploring the complexities of identity, gender, and history. As the family's story unfolds, secrets are uncovered, including a mysterious disappearance and a hidden affair, which reveal the intricate ways in which personal and collective histories are intertwined. The narrative delves into the struggles of immigration, the search for belonging, and the impact of past traumas on the present, all set against the backdrop of the eponymous café that serves as a focal point for the community's social and emotional exchanges.

The 5093rd greatest book of all time