The Moon Goddess's Smile - Hardcover

by Catherine C. Wu (Author)

1st Prize Winner, 2026 competition of National League of American Pen Women

"Secrets, scars, and stories - a fascinating historical novel of cultural significance." - Starred Review, Independent Book Review"A distinctive voice...striking sensory quality. Our Verdict: Get it!" - Kirkus Reviews

A biomedical researcher returns to China to transfer her late grandmother's apartment to her male cousin so he can marry. However, a simple legal task to save her dwindling clan becomes a bureaucratic nightmare, and her interracial marriage in Boston begins to unravel. While she struggles to regain equilibrium between two clashing cultures, her homebound journey evolves into a midlife self-discovery.

The story portrays a resilient Chinese family that has survived a tumultuous century. Ultimately, finding one's identity during a crisis celebrates the human potential of reaching enlightenment under all circumstances.