Shanghailanders by Juli Min: Love, marriage and familial secrets through the generations

Korean-American author Juli Min’s debut novel is thoughtful and well-written interrogation of family relationships, but it would benefit from a more conventional timelineThe debut novel from Korean-American author Juli Min chronicles contemporary life in China by following a Shanghai family across almost four decades. In Min’s narrative structure, time moves backwards so the novel begins in 2040 before rewinding back one year at a time until 2014.

Min offers a nuanced insight into this wealthy cosmopolitan family consisting of a Chinese father, Leo, French-Japanese mother, Eko, and their three daughters, Yumi, Yoko and Yukiko, by switching perspectives throughout. It is striking, however, that the supposed futuristic Shanghai of 2040 is not considerably different from today.

Min’s strength lies in strong characterisation with thoughtful interrogation of family dynamics and intergenerational experiences of love, marriage and familial secrets. The moments of scrutiny of class and economic inequality are also particularly sensitively navigated. Accordingly, it is unclear what benefit is derived from extending so far into an unknowable future, beyond perhaps ambition for a more novel premise.

A similar concern is evident regarding the overall structure itself. Presenting this anti-chronological timeline to the reader raises an expectation that ultimately this will offer greater illumination or deeper revelation than a traditional forward momentum would have. There is an assumption that the grand design will deliver on its promise with a satisfying pay-off that justifies it as a creative choice.

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