Like Spilled Water

Name: Like Spilled Water
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Author: Jennie Liu
ISBN: 9781705008942

Author: Jennie Liu

Narrator: Catherine Ho

Unabridged: 6 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 09/01/2020

Categories: Young Adult Fiction, Family

Synopsis

A suspenseful and poignant exploration of family dynamics and gender roles in today’s China. Nineteen-year-old Na has always lived in the shadow of her younger brother, Bao-bao, her parents’ cherished son. Years ago, Na’s parents left her in the countryside and went to work in the city, bringing Bao-bao along and committing everything, including all their savings, to his education. But when Bao-bao dies suddenly, Na realizes how little she knew him. Did he really end his life because of a low score on China’s all-important college entrance exam? Her parents can’t bear to talk about him, so Na investigates on her own. She learns that Bao-bao had many secrets—and that his death may not be what it seems. She also learns that her parents have serious money problems, and as their only remaining child, she’s expected to quit school and go to work to help support them. As more secrets come to light, Na must decide not only what she owes to her brother’s memory, but what she owes to herself. YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Nominated, 2022In the Margins: Fiction List, Short-listed, 2022Freeman Book Award Title Of Note, Commended, 2020 “[F]ilters detailed depictions of filial piety, funeral rites, grief, romantic relationships, and parental support through a modern teenager’s perspective. … Will lead readers through a quiet revolution.”—Kirkus Reviews

About Jennie Liu

Jennie Liu is the daughter of Chinese immigrants. She has been fascinated by the attitudes, social policies, and changes in China each time she visits. Her young adult novels have won honors including a Freeman Book Award Honorable Mention and an In the Margins: Best Books for Teens award. She lives in North Carolina with her family.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sleepless on May 15, 2020

Honestly, I can't believe this book doesn't have more people reading it. This is seriously an outrage. Set in China, Like Spilled Water is the story of Na, a college student whose younger brother abruptly dies. She returns home and begins to piece together what happened to him. Through her sleuthing......more

Goodreads review by Vanessa on June 07, 2020

Thank You to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for this ARC!! Set in China, Nineteen-year-old Na has always lived in the shadow of her younger brother, Bao-bao. But when Bao-bao dies suddenly, Na realizes how little she knew him. Did he really kill himself because of a low score on China's all-im......more

Goodreads review by Lalania Marie Seeders on October 05, 2020

I would Like to thank Net Galley, the publisher, and the author, Jennie Liu, for the opportunity to read this book. I learned a lot about Chinese culture while reading this book. If a female is born first, a couple is given a second chance to have a son. Girls are, ‘ like spilled water’, they take u......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on February 10, 2021

Na is the oldest child from a poor family in China. Her parents dote over her younger brother Bao-bao and focus all their money/attention/efforts/hopes on getting him into a good college so he can "become an engineer, buy a house, buy a car, and then take care of them in their old age." No feels ove......more

Goodreads review by Duchess on June 29, 2021

Heart wrenchingly beautiful. Absolutely amazing narrative. I loved this! Na’s finishes her first year and instead of celebrating, she gets a call from home saying her brother is suddenly dead. No one seems keen on talking about it. She has to give up school to pay for debts that her parents took for......more