The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade Chang

The Wangs vs. the World is a fresh and energetic debut novel that follows the Wang family as they embark on a cross-country journey after losing their cosmetics fortune. Charles Wang, the patriarch, decides to take his family on a trip to China to reclaim his ancestral lands, but first they must make their way from their foreclosed Bel-Air home to the Upstate New York retreat of his eldest daughter, Saina. Packed into their only remaining car, the family faces a series of comedic and heartwarming misadventures, testing their bonds and forcing Charles to choose between his dreams and keeping his family intact./n/nThe novel is praised for its humor and heart, offering a unique blend of family drama and cultural exploration. With a wealth-addicted stepmother, a son waylaid by a temptress, and an epic smash-up in North Carolina, the Wangs' journey is anything but ordinary. This story explores themes of family, identity, and the American Dream, all wrapped up in a completely hilarious package.

Reviews

The Guardian · 2016-11-18

heartfelt 4.00

The book blends humor and heart as a family embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The narrative effectively captures the complexities of family dynamics and cultural identity.

The Guardian's review highlights how Jade Chang's debut novel masterfully combines comedy and compassion. The story of a family's road trip across the US is both hilarious and poignant, offering a rich exploration of Chinese-American identity. The reviewer appreciates the way Chang balances humor with deeper themes, making the book a compelling read. They also note the vivid characterizations and the engaging narrative structure, which keeps the reader invested throughout.

Quick quotes

Comedy mingles with compassion as a bankrupt businessman takes a road trip across the US and rediscovers his Chinese roots.

The narrative effectively captures the complexities of family dynamics and cultural identity.

A richly textured debut novel that is both funny and heartfelt.

BongBongBooks · 2016-10-27

relatable 4.25

The book offers a deep dive into family connections and the bonds that tie them together. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the exploration of relationships and the emotional depth of the characters.

BongBongBooks focuses on the emotional core of the novel, praising Chang's ability to delve into the intricacies of family relationships. The reviewer finds the characters relatable and the story engaging, highlighting how the book offers a profound look at the connections between family members. They appreciate the way the narrative balances humor with more serious themes, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable read. The reviewer also notes the book's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, making it a memorable experience.

Quick quotes

What I liked the most is how the book offered a great study about the connections between family members.

There's that parents to siblings dynamic that is so real and relatable.

The book offers a profound look at the connections between family members.

The New York Times · 2016-10-14

funny 4.50

The book is a manic and consistently funny exploration of a family's journey. The reviewer appreciates the alternating perspectives and the playful yet cutting commentary on race and identity.

The New York Times review describes the novel as a manic and consistently funny book that effectively uses alternating perspectives to tell the story of the Wang family's cross-country journey. The reviewer praises Chang's ability to tackle issues of race and identity with a fresh and playful approach, making the book both entertaining and thought-provoking. They also note the raw and profane elements of the story, which add depth and authenticity to the characters and their experiences. The reviewer finds the book to be unrelentingly fun, with a unique blend of humor and serious themes that keep the reader engaged.

Quick quotes

The result is a manic, consistently funny book of alternating perspectives as the Wangs make various cross-country stopovers.

Chang tackles the issue of race from a fresh, playful, yet cutting perspective.

Her book is unrelentingly fun, but it's also raw and profane — a story of fierce family bonds.

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