This novel revolves around the intertwined lives of three friends from their youth in Beijing during the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests to their separate paths as adults in the United States and China. The mysterious poisoning of their friend, Shaoai, which occurred during their teenage years, casts a long shadow over their lives, influencing their relationships, personal development, and their ability to find solace and meaning in their adult lives. Through a narrative that weaves past and present, the story explores themes of memory, guilt, isolation, and the complex nature of human connections, revealing how the echoes of a moment can shape the course of a lifetime.

The 8594th greatest book of all time