When an author manages to make very deeply flawed characters still likeable, they have succeeded. None of the adults in this book are without sins, they have done horrible acts in the name of self interest. However, Ng manages to embrace the fullness of humanity, and you really do understand the motivations for everyone's behavior.

I find the central themes of this book are motherhood and race, and how these can intersect. We can tell that every parent in this book believes that they are the 'good parent': Mia wants her daughter to understand freedom, Elena does everything she can to make sure her children are successful and thrive in 'proper society'. Both of these parenting styles cost the children their identities. They are left to navigate the very confusing teenage years without an adult to guide them. We can see the very painful manifestations of this in all of the children, most obviously Pearl and Izzy.

As the topic of race comes into play, we can see Ng's assertations that even the most well meaning white allies can have bias. Even in a planned community such as Shaker Heights, there is a refusal among the white, upper class inhabitants that race does play into the central conflict. This is despite the fact that every person of color in town can see how race affects the case.

I was shocked at how much I hurt for these characters. It was gloomy and sad, but also an important conversation.