Linh Ly Is Doing Just Fine

The title character of Votang’s debut is lost, not geographically but metaphorically, and stuck in a time and place with no visible escape route. The novel’s central theme is the relationship between mother and daughter, with Votang vividly highlighting its flaws and humanness. The novel has barely begun when a shooting at the university where Linh works traumatizes her and sends her to work from home, alone except for Lollypop, her cat. Linh’s parents have divorced, and her father is descending further into alcohol addiction. Linh and her mother feel they should thrive after having survived such a man, but Linh struggles. Linh’s mother gives her a key to her new house, yet Linh always knocks before entering, feeling uncomfortable with this new arrangement. When her mother begins dating, Linh closely monitors her, fearing the worst. Eunice Wong reveals each character with subtle dialect and personality, bringing them into clear focus. Wong will make listeners feel the cringe of every awkward moment as they walk through this very dark time in Linh’s life. As the story unfolds, Linh moves from oppressive isolation toward community.