Spanning mid-20th-century China through the 1989 Tiananmen protests, this novel follows an extended family of musicians whose lives are shaped by politics, exile and creativity. Layers of memory and music thread together the experiences of parents who survived the Cultural Revolution and their children who confront a new era of unrest.

Central figures include a gifted composer who finds meaning in silence, relatives whose past denunciations leave lasting scars, and a questioning daughter living in Vancouver who pieces together the family's fractured history. The narrative balances intimate character portraits with sweeping historical events, exploring how art, loyalty and loss endure across generations.

Readers will find elegant prose, careful attention to musical and political detail, and a patient unraveling of family secrets. The book offers a thoughtful meditation on memory, identity and the costs of speaking — and staying silent — in turbulent times.

• Setting: China (Cultural Revolution → 1989 Tiananmen)
• Themes: memory, music, family saga, political upheaval
• Format & details: Hardcover, 473 pages

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